Results 1,761-1,774 of 1,774 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Summer Economic Statement 2016: Statements (Resumed) (14 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. In recent years, the State has been confronted by some of the greatest economic challenges with which it has been obliged to deal since its inception. It is a testament to the legacy of the previous Government and the resolve of the current one that I stand here today to discuss a very positive set of plans for the Irish economy....

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (13 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister who I am glad is present for the debate. I also welcome the Bill and compliment Senator Michael McDowell and his team on drafting it. While we might not agree on every aspect of it, there are some positives but also issues that need to be looked at and teased out.To return to Senator Joan Freeman who spoke about democracy, I have been elected through four local...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I wish Limerick and all the other counties that are going forward for the European City of Culture well. The judging team is in Ireland at present. It is visiting Limerick, where there has been a huge display of community spirit. The whole of O'Connell Street is closed off and everything from pastries to fish and chips is available to eat. Schools are also involved. There has been a...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (12 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming and sharing his ideas and listening to our ideas and concerns. The aim of social protection must be to provide those citizens who find themselves unemployed or unable to work with a helping hand and a decent standard of living. In 2016, some €19.6 billion - 36% of the overall national budget - was allocated to the Department of Social...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise the issue of eFlow tags. From 31 August, one will no longer be able to use one’s eFlow tag on the N7 between Dublin and Limerick, the Waterford city bypass and the M1. This follows a breakdown in communications between Celtic Roads Group and eFlow. I request that the Leader speak to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to ascertain whether he can intervene...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I want to raise an issue that has not been raised here today, namely, lifelong learning in which we are encouraged to participate. I compliment Limerick City and County Council on running the Summer Stars reading programme which encourages primary school children to read ten books over the summer months, to come into the library and to take part in reading groups. Such a programme should be...

Seanad: Farm Safety: Statements (6 Jul 2016)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his brief. I thank him for coming to the Seanad today. Agriculture has long been one of the cornerstones of the Irish economy and provides many people with a livelihood throughout this country. Today agriculture is actually smaller than the other two main sectors of the economy - manufacturing and services. However, the Health and Safety...

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...