Results 1-20 of 2,009 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Teachtaireacht ón Dáil - Message from Dáil (16 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Dáil Éireann has passed the Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 15 October 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (16 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: The Cathaoirleach has received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme. Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Taoiseach as ucht teacht anseo inniu chun a chuid smaointí agus a chuid tosaíochtaí a roinnt linn. It is definitely a great pleasure for me to thank the Taoiseach on behalf of the Seanad for coming here today to put forward his priorities and his thoughts into the process, and also for the leadership that he has shown here today in highlighting...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and thank him for coming for this all-important Bill. Previously, Senator McDowell was speaking on amendment No. 5. Would he like to continue?

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Does anybody else want to speak on amendment No. 5?

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Senator Mullen, I have to ask you to report progress.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: As it is 4 p.m., the debate is adjourned by order of the House today, with Senator Mullen to be called on the next occasion.

Seanad: All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I welcome Deputy Cormac Devlin and his guests, the Rev. Chris Hudson and his brother, Fintan, to the Gallery. I hope they are enjoying their visit to Leinster House today. They are very welcome. I understand that Senators Nelson Murray and Brady wish to share time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I apologise. I am being tight on time because I am trying to fit everyone in, if that is okay. I call Senator Tully.

Seanad: All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Is that agreed? Agreed. I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to the extension. I call Senator Flaherty.

Seanad: All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Before the Minister of State gets up to speak, and as Senator Conway has said, a light rail system in Limerick would be welcome any time. I just want to put that the record. The Minister of State is very welcome.

Seanad: All-Island Strategic Rail Review: Statements (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Before we adjourn, I welcome former Deputy Olivia Mitchell and her grandchildren. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.

Committee on Disability Matters: Autonomy and Integrity for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I read through all of them. My first few questions are to do with the Courts Service. Almost ten years ago, the Oireachtas voted to bring adult wardship under the lunacy Act 1871 to an end, to discharge all adult wards within a fixed period of three years and to move them to measured supports under the new framework. Will the witnesses meet...

Committee on Disability Matters: Autonomy and Integrity for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: I had a case recently. I was working with a lady who is housebound. She has a number of relations but none of them wanted to become her ward of court or to support her. What options are in place there? We were trying to contact the bank. She received a letter from the bank and she was in an awful state. She actually did not have to do anything about it - it was one of those standard...

Committee on Disability Matters: Autonomy and Integrity for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Following up on my question about the particular lady, no family member or neighbour wanted to do so. She approached several people to ask whether they would look after her affairs for her. Does she just contact DSS to have somebody appointed?

Committee on Disability Matters: Autonomy and Integrity for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Perfect. I thank the witnesses very much.

Committee on Disability Matters: Autonomy and Integrity for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: Great. Do the witnesses envisage that they may be looking for an extension to the April 2026 deadline?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Treatment of Rare Diseases: Discussion (15 Oct 2025)

Maria Byrne: It is now mid-October but we are no further on. Professor Barry has said his organisation is having engagement. How long will that engagement take because many children are waiting to receive this drug?