Results 1,581-1,600 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and congratulate her on her elevation to her new portfolio. As she is very interested in the arts, she will be fantastic in her new role. We are here to talk about Galway and the fact that it is to be European Capital of Culture. I congratulate it on winning. Limerick was runner up. Certainly, the experience not only of Galway but also of Limerick and the three...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I wish to express sympathy on the passing of the late Dolores O'Riordan, a native of Ballybricken in Limerick. I attended the funeral over the weekend. Dolores sat behind me in school so I knew her then. She was a very fine person and a great ambassador not only for Limerick but for Ireland. She was a great performer. I offer my sympathies to her mother, Eileen, her siblings and the rest...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I join with the other members in wishing everybody a happy Christmas and I thank them for their help, support and co-operation throughout the year. I rise to mention the calibre of science graduates. In 2016, Ireland was ranked tenth overall in terms of quality scientific research. Ireland has jumped 26 places over a 13-year period, the first time it has risen so quickly through the world...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permit Applications (13 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I welcome the Minister to the House this morning. I wish to congratulate her publicly on her new role in which I know she will excel. Given that Limerick has the fastest growing economy outside of Dublin, I look forward to welcoming her to Limerick and the region in the future. Today, I wish to raise the issue of the critical skills employment permit. On the one...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permit Applications (13 Dec 2017)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for her response and I welcome the review. The two employers I referred to subsidised trainees going to college and worked with them. They have invested money in them. The hotel manager is multilingual and with the number of tourists coming to the country, it is wonderful he has so many languages. He is really qualified for the position. Should I encourage the two...

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...