Results 1,061-1,080 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Taoiseach that there is going to be an investigation and priority given to University Hospital Limerick, and that the Taoiseach is going to engage with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I thank the Leader and Deputy Leader for making contact with the Taoiseach and for their work on this.A report was commissioned by the HSE on drug and alcohol...

Seanad: Violence Against Women: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for appearing before the House to speak on this important issue. I express my sympathies to the family of the late Ashling Murphy. I met her family and her partner at a candlelit vigil in Mary Immaculate College on Monday evening last, which I attended along with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It was a very moving...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. In 2018, I voted for the legislation - Senator Ned O'Sullivan was here at the time - covering gift vouchers and expiry dates. People were delighted because some people were losing out on the value of vouchers on the basis that they were only valid for one year and there was no means of extending the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I welcome that the Department will consider the issue of reducing balance fees. These companies are regulated by the Central Bank. I understand that they cannot defy what is set in European law, but many people are not aware that the value of their vouchers is being reduced as the information in this regard is in tiny print at the bottom of the voucher. One...

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

Maria Byrne: Yesterday, Senators in the mid-west raised their concerns regarding University Hospital Limerick. There are over 100 people on trolleys in the hospital today and the figure is increasing. The CEO and her team have said they are looking at ways of trying to reduce the numbers. Some of the beds cannot be used at the moment because they are being used for isolation for people who still have...

Seanad: Broadband Roll-out: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for attending to discuss this all-important issue. Covid taught us the importance of working from home and how important broadband is in that regard. Many of us have discussed the lack of availability in rural Ireland but it also affects parts of urban Ireland where the connectivity is very poor. There are streets where there is a very strong connection but...

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

Maria Byrne: I wish to support Senator Conway's call for an independent review into University Hospital Limerick. I raise the matter every second week and have done so for the last year. The problem is ongoing and it is not good enough. Yesterday was international day of education. The Minister, Deputy Harris, was in Limerick yesterday. I had the pleasure of visiting some schools with him. He spoke...

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: The Minister is welcome. I thank him for coming in to discuss this important topic. I believe the agricultural sector wants to make changes and ensure it can perform in the most environmentally friendly ways. We must remember that the changes we are expecting are big. For the sector to make these appropriate changes, the targets must be realistic and supports must be offered. I know the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: Like other Members, I join with colleagues in expressing my sympathies to the family of the late Ashling Murphy, but also to her peers and former lecturers at Mary Immaculate College. I know from speaking to some of them that it has been an awful few days for them. It was lovely that everybody paid tribute and gave their thoughts in a very positive way. I wish to raise the issue of a...

Seanad: The Impact of Covid-19 on Primary and Secondary Education: Motion (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I am delighted to have the Minister and Deputy Kehoe here. Having served previously on the education committee, it is an area close to my own heart. I am still involved in a school in Limerick. I read the report and found it very interesting. It took an amount of work on the part of the committee so I compliment all who were involved in putting this report together. Two or three things...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Covid-19 Payments and the Sale of AIB shares: Minister for Finance (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming before the committee and giving a comprehensive overview of all that has happened, especially since Covid hit our shores almost two years ago. I thank him also for the supports that were provided. While I am not directly involved in our family business and have nothing to do with it, I am very aware from small or niche businesses that have availed of these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Covid-19 Payments and the Sale of AIB shares: Minister for Finance (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: Like Senator Casey, I acknowledge that the businesses we raised with the Minister while the Finance Bill was before the Seanad fall within the scheme. I thank the Minister for listening to us on the day. There is a requirement that business be down 30%. Traditionally, the months of January and February are quiet for many businesses. Will the 30% decrease be compared with the same week...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Covid-19 Payments and the Sale of AIB shares: Minister for Finance (19 Jan 2022)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2021)

Maria Byrne: We spoke yesterday about some of the issues I am going to raise. I support the K class. I spoke about it when we discussed maternity and paternity leave for councillors and politicians. When I was first elected as a councillor, I was self-employed so I was paying PRSI through my work. I remember my accountant saying to me "sure you're paying PRSI, why are you not entitled to anything for...

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

Maria Byrne: I will start by wishing everyone here, all our colleagues in this House and in the other House, the Acting Leader, the Cathaoirleach and his office, Mr. Martin Groves and his office and all of the staff from the ushers to the people working in the various different sections throughout the building, a very happy and safe Christmas. The main issue I wish to raise today is a mistake made during...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (16 Dec 2021)

Maria Byrne: Some 11,000 people.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2021: Second Stage (16 Dec 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for bringing this very important Bill before us. I commend her and the staff in her Department on the job they have done to date. It has been a very difficult time because so many people have been in and out of employment and there have been many ups and downs for many people. There have been many structural changes as well. People may have had to apply for payments...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the good news on the allocation of over €10 million to Shannon Airport and the announcement of 130 jobs for Limerick and the mid-west. On world animal welfare day, the feral cats project in Murroe was awarded €12,000 and Limerick Animal Welfare was awarded over €76,000. This is great news from the Government for Limerick and the mid-west and I welcome it. I...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Dec 2021)

Maria Byrne: The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank her for coming to discuss this all-important issue. While I realise it is pretty much a technical Bill, I welcome the fact people will be able to, as was alluded to, have some extra money in their pockets as a result of it. Senator Gavan raised the problems around Limerick hospital and the fact people are taking up beds, but we now have a...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Dec 2021)

Maria Byrne: Taken at source. Okay, because a few people have raised it with me and perhaps they need to go back to their places of employment. I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for clarifying that. I support the Bill and I am sure it will go through quickly.