Results 1,421-1,440 of 1,673 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (17 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the announcement yesterday by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys, at the University of Limerick, UL, of a €47 million investment between Science Foundation Ireland, funded by the Government, and the heads of industry. UL will be the lead partner in it and it will involve University College Cork, the Tyndall Institute, Limerick...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I raise two matters today, both of which relate to education. First is Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, which is an Apple distinguished school. Today, it hosted an event selling its message to other schools about what it means to have that distinction. It is the only school in Ireland with that accolade and I congratulate it in that regard. Second, ESB has announced a number of bursaries to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Sector Staff Retirements (9 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I have been contacted by a number of public servants over their concerns about the retirement age. They are in good health and are enjoying their job and would love to continue in their job after they reach 65. At the moment, the Department is looking at legislation and reviewing the situation but if these people were to go back into employment in the public service they would have to start...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Sector Staff Retirements (9 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I am delighted that this legislation is being prioritised. It is good news but, in the meantime, people want to stay on. I understand that the Minister has put interim measures in place and I would like to find out what they are. It is very unfair to expect someone to go back to point 1 on the scale. People who have given their time and commitment to a job need to be looked after. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: An information session was held today in the Great National South Court Hotel for farmers regarding the basic payment scheme. The closing date is 15 May and it is the first time farmers have had to apply online. I encourage all farmers to ensure they meet the deadline for their applications. Recently, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, and his Department...

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Health and Social Care Professionals (3 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to discuss this very important issue. I have been contacted by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, which has concerns regarding the review last year of a statutory instrument that is currently being drawn up and that will include a list of health professionals entitled to refer individuals for X-rays. The statutory instrument in...

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Health and Social Care Professionals (3 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. It is disappointing in one way that physiotherapists are currently not included and that there are no plans. I acknowledge it is up for consideration but they have the support of many organisations such as the triage steering group, the national clinical programme for rheumatology and the national clinical programme for trauma and orthopaedic surgery....

Seanad: Commencement Matter: Health and Social Care Professionals (3 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (3 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I join the Minister in paying tribute to Limerick woman Vicky Phelan and her family. She is very courageous for being prepared to fight for her rights and ensure that this serious matter became public. The women of Ireland owe her a deep debt of gratitude for exposing this dreadful situation. My thoughts are with her and her family, as they are with all women affected by this and the...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Screening Programme: Statements (3 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2018)

Maria Byrne: I congratulate our two new Senators and look forward to working with them. This is an historic day for both and I wish them all the best for the rest of the term. I join other Senators who raised the plight of Ms Vicky Phelan and discussed how brave she has been. As the House knows, Vicky comes from Limerick. I compliment her and her family on the strength and power shown in interviews....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (25 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I tabled my Commencement matter, on a Garda station for the Castletroy area of Limerick, because I have had a number of calls recently, especially from older people in the community, about the fact that they have to use the Garda station in Henry Street in Limerick, which is approximately 5 km away from where they live. They are conscious of how busy gardaí are and those in Henry Street...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Stations (25 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I appreciate the Minister's response. I regularly attend the joint policing committee and I will engage with the chief superintendent and members of the joint policing committee. Castletroy is the fastest growing suburb in Munster. It is expanding at a huge rate. There is a case to be made. I will engage with the joint policing committee. I thank the Minister for his response. When I...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: Last Friday saw the launch of a new golf course at Adare Manor in Adare, County Limerick. It was also the launch of the J.P. McManus Pro Am 2020. When the previous pro am was held in 2010, it raised almost €50 million for charities across the mid-west. I compliment Mr. McManus and his team of volunteers who are involved in organising the pro am. Rory McIlroy, Paul McGinley,...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Murphy, to the House. He visited Limerick not too long ago and we had a very positive day involving the opening of the new housing development on Lord Edward Street. He met many people who worked there in the past and some new residents. Limerick was very lucky to have been in receipt of funding for social housing when other local authorities were not able to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Teacher Recruitment: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the panel for their comments. To start with Fr. Connell, he referred to the five-day rule. Has he any suggestions as to how that can be changed or what should be proposed? I understand that the five-day rule is causing a problem for some schools. We have referred a great deal to the shortage of substitute teachers. The fact that 5,000 full-time posts have been created over...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Long-Term Illness Scheme (19 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I appreciate that the issue I raised has been chosen as a Commencement matter. A number of people who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and are taking heavy medication to deal with the pain find that their condition is not included in the long-term illness book. I wish to ascertain whether rheumatoid arthritis can be included in the long-term illness book. I also am calling for an...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Long-Term Illness Scheme (19 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. While I appreciate that the Government is committed to reducing the costs for people, especially those with long-term illness, I certainly would appreciate the Minister of State's bringing to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Harris, that there are a number of illnesses where people are on medication in the long term and perhaps a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Long-Term Illness Scheme (19 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the fact that Aerospace Asset Trading has recently purchased a warehouse in Shannon Airport and plans to expand. The company will join a cluster of 60 aviation companies, which is most welcome. Aerospace Asset Trading is a Florida based company that operates in Shannon Airport. When the company purchased the warehouse recently it stated that Shannon Airport gave it great access...