Results 1,001-1,020 of 1,673 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising the fact that it is disability week. ParkMagic, along with the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland, launched its app this morning and Limerick City and County Council is the first local authority to avail of it. A number of service users have used the app and they stated that when they come into town they have to plan their journey because...

Seanad: National Development Plan 2021-2030: Statements (30 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to this debate. The national development plan is important to all of us. I regret what the plan states about the N20 and M20. When Project Ireland 2040 was launched by the previous Government in 2018, it referred to the M20. In this plan, it refers to the N20 and M20. I cannot reiterate enough how important this road link is. I recently met...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I second the suggestion made by Senator Buttimer that the commission should take the lead and put together a proposal for the secretarial assistants. I lend my support to all of my colleagues who raised that issue. I welcome the fact that today is the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence against Women. I also welcome that will be 16 days of activism to highlight the matter. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I often give out about what is happening at University Hospital Limerick but there was a very good occasion yesterday, which was the retirement of Bonnie the therapy dog. She has worked with the paediatric unit in the Children's Ark over many years and brought great joy to the children. She has been involved in calming the children and playing with them. This is a programme that should be...

Seanad: Paediatric Scoliosis Services: Statements (23 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to listen to the debate on this very important issue. I compliment all the people who have sent us emails highlighting their experiences and what their children are going through.We are all here as legislators but, at the end of the day, children and their futures are really important to all of us. Scoliosis and other orthopaedic problems can...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I compliment the more than 400 salons in Limerick that have signed up to the partnership between the National Women's Council and the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation. It is very important. European research has shown that one in four women has been abused. I compliment the salons that have voluntarily decided to get involved in the campaign. Many women confide in their hairdressers...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach (18 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Taoiseach is very welcome. I pay tribute to him and the Government for their handling of a very difficult situation over recent months.It is certainly something that has affected people all over the world. On the Covid vaccine booster roll-out, I welcome the fact that the over-50s group and the most vulnerable in society will receive their boosters soon. I have been thinking about how...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to follow up the conversation we had yesterday on University Hospital Limerick. I know it has been raised in the House a couple of times already today. I know it has been suggested there are a lack of resources and investment from the Government, particularly the Fine Gael Government, but I remind Senators on the other side of the House that more than 110 beds have been...

Seanad: Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the House and I thank him for being here to discuss this important issue. I compliment him and his team for their extensive work over a lengthy time in terms of the negotiations and discussions on Brexit. The Minister is correct that Northern Ireland did not seek or vote for Brexit. That is very clear. The protocol was the only option post years of discussions...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise two issues. I welcome the report that was launched today by the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a directly elected mayor for Limerick. I pay tribute to the committee for its work on the report and to the witnesses who presented to the committee. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill lasted for quite a while. I also pay tribute to the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I wish to be associated with the condolences extended to our colleague, Senator Currie, her mother, Annita, and the extended Currie family on the passing of Austin. I had the pleasure of working with him when he ran in the presidential campaign back in the 1980s. I knew him to be a thorough gentleman. He brought so much to the office of the Minister of State but also in terms of his work...

Seanad: Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2019: An Dara Céim - Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister is very welcome. Unfortunately, like the previous speaker, I had good Irish in the past but my ability to speak it has diminished due to a lack of use. There is a lesson in that for all of us. I compliment the Oireachtas on providing Irish language classes. I attended them in the past; I did not sign up to them for this term but I will in the future. I compliment the...

Seanad: Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People: Statements (9 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome. A great deal has been said but, personally, in the first instance, I pay tribute to the Minister of State and thank her so much for her own personal interest in the whole area of disabilities. I know she visited St. Gabriel’s School and centre in Limerick recently. I was present and have been involved with that school for more than 25 years. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I rise today to thank the Leader for her intervention when I raised the issue of children under the age of 18 being discriminated against when playing competitive basketball. I welcome this morning's announcement by the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Chambers, that the Government has made an amendment whereby children will be allowed...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Antisocial Behaviour (3 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank the Minister of State for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I welcome, first of all, the increase in funding to do with Garda recruitment and Garda numbers in budget 2022 and acknowledge the work that the Minister of State and the Department have been doing in this regard. Listening to local radio and reading local newspapers,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Antisocial Behaviour (3 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. There is an issue with regard to safety cameras in that, I am told, residents associations do not have access to funding for them. Perhaps that could be looked at by the Minister. When cameras and extra lighting are provided in areas, it helps people to feel safe and also it helps the gardaí in their role. I pay tribute to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to speak about an issue that was brought to my attention yesterday. It is do with an eleven-year-olds and basketball. I have been led to believe that the decision was made by Basketball Ireland that children can go to their basketball training, but they cannot play a match because they are not vaccinated. We have not started vaccinating that age group. This 11-year-old and...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament (2 Nov 2021)

Maria Byrne: While my question is for Ms Fitzgerald, I welcome all of the MEPs to the House. I admire the work they do in representing Ireland in Europe. Ms Fitzgerald has been involved in work on gender-based crime and I ask her to elaborate on that. She has been involved in trying to make this an EU-wide crime, particularly in the context of sexual violence against females.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Oct 2021)

Maria Byrne: I raise an issue that affects many of us around the country, namely ice rinks. In many towns and cities, ice rinks appear at Christmas. Many people visit them from schools and from families who get great joy. They usually last six to eight weeks. This year, they are finding it difficult to get the insurance. Normally their insurance comes through London where ice rinks are able to get...