Results 961-980 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I am sharing time with Senator Conway. I welcome the Tánaiste and thank him for all the work he has done in his brief, including the introduction of a new public holiday, provision for remote working, legislation on the treatment of tips and gratuities, supports for workers during the Covid lay-off period and now the introduction of statutory sick pay. I am a former member of the...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I know his commitment and dedication to the whole issue of insurance. I agree with all that Senator Casey has said. While some people will shop around, others do not. I am chairperson of a community centre in Limerick. Our insurance went up by more than €10,000 this year. We are a not-for-profit organisation in the voluntary...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I move: That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges: - Ireland, and the entire world, is facing a cost-of-living crisis driven by inflation, which is largely being caused by international factors beyond our control; - the cost of living in Ireland is high by international standards but wages are also amongst the highest in the EU, with median gross hourly earnings one-third above the EU...

Seanad: Cost of Living: Motion (15 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: We have had a very fruitful and frank discussion. I welcome the Minister's commitment and that of the Government in respect of the motion. Many things have been outlined, including in respect of the cost of childcare and of fuel. It is the squeezed middle, as well as lower paid workers, that is affected. That is the kernel of the debate. There has been overwhelming support for the motion...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I, too, wish to be associated with the votes of sympathy to former Councillor Noel Collins. He certainly was a gentleman. I know he will be missed by many and especially the people he represented over a long period. May he rest in peace. I rise today because 700 is a number that is lucky for some in County Limerick and not lucky for others. More than 700 people were accepted into the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the €12 million funding announced to third level students with autism. It will make colleges autism friendly through the use of apps. I understand that it is €3 million for this year. The three third level colleges in my own part of the country, University of Limerick, UL, Technological University of the Shannon and Mary Immaculate College, will receive more than...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I was listening to the debate upstairs because I had some work to do. It has been a fruitful debate and I compliment Senators Martin and Garvey on tabling this worthy legislation. I lend my support to it. Much of what I would like to say has been said and I am not in the habit of repeating comments, but the Bill has my full support and I am delighted that it has support from across the...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: At noon on Tuesday, 14 June 2022.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I paid my own tribute to former Senator Jackman yesterday, but I am thinking of her husband, Nick, her daughter, Nicola, and her sister, Ursula, who are watching this morning. I pass on my sympathies again. I thank my colleagues and I am sure many more will be contributing further kind words regarding the passing of the late Mary Jackman. The CEO of Age Action...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (31 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for being present and taking the place of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, whom I understand is attending a meeting in Dublin Airport. I call for balance in regional air routes in the context of what is happening in Dublin Airport. We must explore short-, medium- and long-term solutions. I tweeted over the weekend to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (31 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for her response. This issue is mainly with regard to Dublin Airport and what is happening there. I will be speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, about this. This is an opportune time for the Government. We have to put in place a plan, whether it be a five-point plan or another type of plan, to develop regional balance for flights. The Minister...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: Senator Kyne called for a debate on regional airports. As the Leader knows, I tabled a Commencement matter about it previously, so I second his call for having a debate sooner rather than later and having the Minister in. Yesterday was a very sad day. Former councillor and former Member of this House, Mary Jackman of Limerick, passed away. She served two terms in the Seanad. She was the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to welcome Cara and the Darmody family. I congratulate her and wish her all the best with her examination. She is a very brave young girl and I say fair play to her for doing the junior certificate maths paper. I wish to mention the offers of support and accommodation made by members of the public to Ukrainians who are coming into the country. Recently I have had a number of...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (26 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: I move the suspension of the House until 1.45 p.m.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: I will speak today about a very positive day that we had in Limerick on Monday. The Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, visited Limerick. Senator Craughwell will be interested to know that Limerick College of Further Education made an announcement on the purchase of three buildings for a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 May 2022)

Maria Byrne: The other visits we had was to Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, TUS, and with the apprenticeship programme for the Coonagh campus. There is the expansion of the apprenticeship programme, where 800 places will be offered to apprentices from next year, once the building is complete. Monday was a very welcome day. We also had a visit to the University of Limerick....