Results 1,681-1,687 of 1,687 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Delivering Sustainable Full Employment: Statements (Resumed) (30 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I welcome my good friend and colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, and congratulate him on his portfolio. I wish him the very best of success for the future. Full employment is the goal that the country must aspire to. Full employment can be defined as a situation in which all those willing and able to work are in employment. In 2006, at the height of the Celtic tiger, Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I would like to raise a few issues. Last week we had a very good debate on mental health but I wish to raise the issue of unit 5B in University Hospital Limerick, from which five people were missing for a number of days, and security on the hospital campus. People were in the hospital for a particular reason and were receiving a lot of valid help. The fact they were able to walk out of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (28 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I am delighted to see that there has been a substantial increase in tourism over recent years. In 2015, 29.8 million passengers passed through Irish airports. Of these, more than 24 million or 83.8% of the total passed through Dublin. Cork handled 6.9% and Shannon 5.6% while the remaining airports were responsible for only 3.7%. Passenger numbers to Cork continue to fall annually. The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (28 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for his reply. It is very positive that he acknowledged he is aware that most tourists come through Dublin. There is a problem with bed capacity. I welcome that the Minister has acknowledged it is something he is willing to examine. I look forward to hearing about whatever plans he has for the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I join colleagues in congratulating the Irish team. As a keen sportsperson who has travelled worldwide to many matches, I support Senator Butler's motion that calls on Aer Lingus and Ryanair to reconsider their prices because they discourage people from travelling to matches. It is a disgrace that people are being asked to pay upwards of €1,000 to fly to France for just one day....

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State. I support what my colleague, Senator O'Donnell, stated earlier about the extra beds that were to be provided at University Hospital Limerick. At present, I am dealing with three families that have members with various mental health issues. I am very concerned about one particular family.I know of an older mother who lives with a son or daughter who suffers...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2016)

Maria Byrne: I support Senator Butler's call in respect of SMEs and the rates they must pay. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come to the House to discuss incentives for small companies to set up? I acknowledge they work with LEOs and a number of small companies have been set up, mainly in urban areas, in recent times. There is more positivity among SMEs but we...