Results 1,161-1,180 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Payments (5 Jul 2021)

Maria Byrne: I am delighted to see Senator Flynn in the Chair and wish her all the best in her role. I thank the Minister of State for coming this morning. I call for an examination of the earnings of carers, whether family carers, informal carers or carers in general, and social protection for them. Carers have prevailed in the most difficult circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic. We all have to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Payments (5 Jul 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his response. He has to acknowledge that carers work many hours that are not accounted for. Many of the people who provide care at home for a loved one never apply for carer's allowance. They save the State so much money. This needs to be reviewed. People need to be asked to work with the Department by informing it of how many hours they provide care...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Payments (5 Jul 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (5 Jul 2021)

Maria Byrne: My concern relates to section 20A(3)(a), which states that regulations made under this section shall not apply to an employer with fewer than 50 employees. Gender pay discrimination is a serious issue. As we know, the Bill aims to tackle the existence of pay discrimination but could this section permit employers with fewer than 50 employees to legally discriminate against employees on a...

Seanad: National Maternity Hospital: Statements (2 Jul 2021)

Maria Byrne: The development of the new national maternity hospital is an issue that we cannot ignore. While there is no doubt that the issue is complex, we must find a solution. The debate largely receives media attention in correlation to the religious association but we must recognise the commitments the religious order has made. The commitments in the national maternity hospital vision statement...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Chairman and all the witnesses for coming in. As has been acknowledged, an awful lot of work went into the plebiscite and the delivery of a directly elected mayor of Limerick. It has been mentioned, particularly by Mr. Moran and Ms Ryan, that people were expecting much more and there must be much more. I pay tribute to Mr. Tim O'Connor and his committee, which sat for ten...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: Anyone who would like to pick up on it, because there are issues that should be included. It is about the guidance as to how people think it should happen, or a condensed version of that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I wish to clarify that I as an Oireachtas Member from Limerick did not receive any notification looking for written submissions. Maybe not everybody received it and I just want to make that point. I am not taking it as an insult; perhaps there was just a mistake made along the way. I cannot confirm whether everybody else received a notification. I thank the speakers because many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: Maybe Dr. O'Malley.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: Senator Seery Kearney raised the issue of hate crime and I happen to know personally the priest who fell victim to the abuse and the online abuse over the weekend. He is a Limerick man who is in charge of a church in Dublin. He has always been very inclusive and tried to work with people, including the most vulnerable in society. I therefore think it is time we had a debate on hate crime....

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Acting Chairperson. I thank the Minister for being here today for this very important debate. I get worried when I hear Senator Conway talk of Limerick and light rail and so on. I am thinking, "Is he moving to Limerick?" I certainly welcome his comments. I will speak a little about that too. In 2018, Ireland was ranked seventh worst out of 28 EU member states in terms of its...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I rise to welcome two things relating to Limerick. Fáilte Ireland and the council had a joint collaboration yesterday, which was two years in the making, whereby Limerick city is now identified as a gateway city of the Wild Atlantic Way. While the Wild Atlantic Way has been a great success, urban tourism destinations like Limerick city were losing out. That it has now been included...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank Ms Embleton and Mr. Moriarty for their presentation. I have two questions. I am from Limerick, like the Chairman. Shannon Airport is key for the region. A report showed recently that the top 40 companies use Shannon Airport for staff coming in and going out for meetings and so forth. A commitment has been sought from Ms Embleton with regard to the Heathrow slots and the early...

Seanad: Aviation Sector: Statements (21 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to debate this important topic about aviation. Where I come from, in Limerick and in the mid-west region, aviation plays an important role. Airlines are very complex and need to be realistic with flexible plans in terms of reopening and getting back up and running. While passenger airlines are to the fore and will therefore be discussed a lot, I...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (18 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister. I also welcome the Bill, which is important. Having recently spoken to councillors who are in the middle of their development plans, they are finding many difficulties. It is very good that this extension is being offered. As has been pointed out, it is difficult to do everything online and have meaningful meetings online and get the true reflection of the members....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: Thank you for accepting my Commencement matter, a Chathaoirligh. The Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, is very welcome. I raise the issue of the costs faced by the over-70s and ask the Government to consider increasing the help provided to them. In 2018, a €2.50 weekly increase was introduced to assist those aged over 70 with their telephone line costs. This works out at...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am trying to highlight the fact that the cost of everything is increasing and we need to review the schemes in that context. People are finding it difficult to pay their bills, especially those on lower incomes. Many pensioners are solely reliant on the State pension of approximately €258 per week. I ask that the Department would...

Seanad: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State. Many questions have been raised in welcoming this legislation. We are supporting what has come from Europe. This Bill is about protecting the consumer and business people. As a former business owner, I am aware of people who had their cards stolen and used or who have been scammed. There has been a major increase in people using their cards and it is all...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive explanation. I have been listening to the debate, including what Senator Cummins said. I agree with what Senator Conway said. Where I live there is a proposal for 800 houses of mainly affordable and social with a mix of some private as well. We need to have a mix. While the Government is determined to deliver as many houses possible,...

Seanad: Affordable Housing Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2021)

Maria Byrne: Not acceptable.