Results 181-200 of 1,286 for speaker:Maria Byrne

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 (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: 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 (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: 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: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health to the House and thank him for coming here to discuss this important issue. I tabled my Commencement matter because I want to know how many children with severe disabilities await placement in residential care. Some of the children have reached a certain age and they no longer quality for some of the services that are provided by...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his response but it does not resolve the issues faced by the family I mentioned. Their daughter is progressing very quickly and suffers seizures. I also highlighted the fact that the family lost the medical cards for two other children. Families in these situations feel vulnerable and need support, particularly when they await placement. An exception...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I would appreciate that. I thank the Minister of State.

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 (25 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the report from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, which calls for greater investment in second-tier cities. It mentions the western seaboard and how city regions on the western corridor can be an economic counterbalance to Dublin. This is most important because Dublin is so busy that there is huge potential in linking up the cities of Limerick, Galway and Cork, to...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I so propose.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Second Stage (30 Jan 2018)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and welcome the Bill before us. It has been progressing since 2014 and there has certainly been a great deal of work and consultation put into it. The national strategy for higher education 2030 is seeking significant reform to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. It is important that governance reform is very much part of...