Results 1,541-1,560 of 1,729 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Special Needs Assistants: Motion (13 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “That Seanad Éireann:” and substitute:“- recognises the vital role that special needs assistants (SNAs) play in Ireland's Education system, providing essential support for some of the most vulnerable students in our classrooms; - welcomes this Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child who is...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the announcement yesterday by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education and Skills that PE is to be included as part of the curriculum and the exams from next year onwards. We are all concerned about health and well-being. It is very important that this be welcomed and embraced by all schools because, for many years, people were obese without being conscious of their health and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I welcome the Minister of State here today and thank him for coming to discuss such an important issue. The reason I tabled a Commencement matter seeking Limerick to be included in the pyrite remediation scheme is because I wrote to the board that deals with pyrite, seeking Limerick to be included in the scheme, but, unfortunately, I was told that the scheme only...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State very much for his reply. We have been in contact with the Pyrite Resolution Board, but it does not seem to want to engage. It is very firm regarding the fact the scheme applies within Leinster and the greater Dublin area. Perhaps we should write to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy English, as well....

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 12 December 2017, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 1a, Social Welfare Bill 2017 – Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I thank the 20 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business today. Senator Ardagh raised the issue of the shooting of a member of An Garda Síochána this morning and I am sure we all share Senator Ardagh's sentiments in that regard. I know that there was a call for a debate recently on community gardaí. Community gardaí play a very significant role in my own area....

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I do not know, but I do know that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade are tied up today. I understand the debate in the Dáil will take place at 4 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: No, he has to attend a meeting on Brexit.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I have taken note of the Senator's point.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: Senator Mulherin raised the issue of Irish Water refunds and pointed out that some people in rural Ireland are paying for water through group water schemes. She also spoke about the multi-annual rural water programme. I will raise these issues with the Minister because it is important there is discussion on the fact that people in rural areas are paying for water while others are receiving...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I have a commitment that the Minister will come to the House next week. It is unfortunate that with all that is going on today he cannot be here.

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (7 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad shall meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 12th December, 2017 and the Order of Business shall be proposed at 2 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I welcome JETPOWER to Shannon Airport. It is joining a cluster of international aviation services companies centred at the airport and is a great boost for Shannon and the mid-west region. The Minister for Education and Skills announced the minor works scheme for primary schools yesterday. I welcome the announcement because I have recently been contacted by many schools that might not have...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I agree with the points made by Senator Coffey. A very clear message needs to go out in regard to hotels in Dublin. However, I lobbied for the retention of the 9% VAT rate in the past and on this occasion, and it sends a very positive message in terms of job creation, as the Minister of State said. Another benefit I have seen in the regions is the amount of investment people are beginning...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2017)

Maria Byrne: I congratulate an off-duty fireman in Limerick, Des Fitzgerald, who rescued two ladies from the River Shannon on 18 September. He is to be honoured by Waterways Ireland today. Mr. Willie Walsh of the International Airlines Group, IAG, has committed to the development of Shannon Airport and the group is looking for new routes for Shannon Airport. IAG is currently expanding and it has just...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Swimming Pool Programme Funding (23 Nov 2017)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to House. I know that in the past he was unable to attend here due to work reasons and I thank him very much for coming here this morning. I rise today to raise the issue of the 50 m swimming pool in the University of Limerick and the fact that the Munster swimming team has no place to practice at the moment. The team is being disenfranchised when compared...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Swimming Pool Programme Funding (23 Nov 2017)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for looking into the matter and coming back with a response. I would appreciate it if he can discover whether the timeline can be moved forward. Children of all ages, from the young to the not so young, have been disenfranchised as a result of the delay. The Department sanctioned the funding. That probably happened around the same time that I originally...

Seanad: Student Universal Support Ireland: Statements (23 Nov 2017)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House today and as Senator Gallagher has noted, the Joint Committee on Education and Skills has been looking at the Cassells report and the Wake-up SUSI report. The Wake-up SUSI campaign was started by a group of students from my own native Limerick who attend Griffith College and some of them are in Dublin, as well as in the business college in...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Maria Byrne: I wish Senator Craughwell a happy birthday although I know he has left. I hope he has a nice day.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to raise the issue of pyrite. A number of people from an estate in Limerick have informed me that they have been told by an independent assessor that there is pyrite in their houses. When I contacted the Pyrite Resolution Board I was told that it does not cover the areas of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Kildare, Meath, Offaly or South Dublin, or Dublin City Council and,...