Results 941-960 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Second Stage (11 Jul 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming before the House to discuss this all-important topic. I thank him and the Department for their work on the Bill, as well as for the inclusion of Limerick within its provisions. I recall when I got involved with the people in Limerick who were affected by pyrite in their foundations. At the time, they met the Pyrite Resolution Board. Some people who were...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2022)

Maria Byrne: I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Loughlin with regard to the passing of the late councillor, Mr. Jerry O'Dea, from Limerick. It is a very sad occasion. He was buried on the day on which he was due to become mayor of the city and county. I pass on my respects to his family and the family of Councillor James Tobin. I too attended the briefing today by the Alzheimer Society...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the news from the Minister for Rural and Community Development about the significant changes that have been made in the Tús and community employment, CE, schemes. These schemes have been beneficial for so many people and communities. I also welcome the mayor, Councillor Joe Kelly, and his wife to the House. I raised a few weeks ago the fact that Caherconlish in Limerick was...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Amendment No. 7 is out of order.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 9 to 13, inclusive, are related. Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 9. Amendment No. 13 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 12. The amendments may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: As amendment No. 9 has been agreed, amendments Nos. 10 and 11 cannot be moved.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: As amendment No. 12 has been agreed, amendment No. 13 cannot be moved.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 14 to 18, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 15 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 14. The amendments may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this all-important issue. There is overwhelming support for the general thrust of the Bill. It is about bringing in sick pay for employees who never had the option of it to date. While there is goodwill, I too support the call from the Local Jobs Alliance, about which my colleagues, Senators Currie and Seery Kearney have...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (28 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House today to discuss this important Bill. I have a keen interest in it. I served in the previous education committee when this legislation was mooted. I also served on the governing bodies of both a former institute of technology and the University of Limerick, so I have had a great interest in this area. I welcome the fact that the Minister is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the intervention, at long last, from the Minister for Health on University Hospital Limerick. I welcome the fact that he met senior officials in the HSE yesterday and that he has put together a crisis management unit that is to go to the hospital and work with senior people in the HSE and in the hospital. There also needs to be some independent people brought into this because it...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I was at the briefing we had this morning where we met representatives of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, CTTC. This issue has been raised already. The 20% discount in fares has created inequality. Senator Cummins mentioned the Expressway buses. The private transport operators now find themselves in competition with public transport in some areas. They are losing customers...

Seanad: Consumer Credit (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Now.

Seanad: Neurology Nurses: Motion (22 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I will be brief because we had a Commencement debate yesterday on issues concerning UHL. I compliment the Senators who tabled the motion. It is something I firmly believe in. I have had a number of Commencement debates on this subject over the past few years, especially on the shortage in UHL. While I acknowledge that two nurses were taken on in the past two years, there is still a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (21 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming back to the Chamber to discuss this all-important issue. I would like him to make a statement regarding the recent HIQA report on University Hospital Limerick. It is a damaging, concerning, disappointing and shocking report. I have been raising the issue of UHL in this House, as well as with the Minister for Health, for a long time. I raise issues...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Overcrowding (21 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. While I acknowledge there has been significant investment and expansion of services, it is not enough. This report has made that clear. I am disappointed that the Department has not acknowledged that services need to be expanded further. I acknowledge the Department is awaiting the expert report but it is not right that the people of the mid-west are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome that a 150-bed private hospital to be owned by the Bon Secours Health System, BSHS, was announced for Limerick yesterday. This is a private hospital, but in the context of the Commencement matter I raised earlier today regarding University Hospital Limerick, UHL, once it is up and running it will complement the already-existing smaller BSHS-owned hospital, which was formerly...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to raise two issues. They are two good news stories. One is the fact that the first women's shed is going to hold its meeting in Limerick tonight. It is based in the Dooradoyle-Raheen area. I would like to wish the committee of Emma, Jackie, Mary, Margaurette, Jackie, Sinead and Eimear all the very best. It started out as a women's walking group and its main aim is physical,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I met recently with representatives from Young Carers Ireland. This is an issue that certainly impedes them. They are on social welfare and alongside their carer's payment, they are allowed to work 18.5 hours per week and study part-time. They are not entitled to the SUSI grant on the other side, however....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minster so much for his commitment. Since he came to the Department, it is an area he has a keen interest in. I thank him and his staff for the work they are doing in this area. I welcome the fact he is going to reform it. Returning to the situation with young carers, it is unfortunate. I am aware they will be able to increase their amount money or that the Minister will be...