Results 221-240 of 1,274 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Mr. Watt, you are very welcome. Reading the report and reading the findings over the last couple of days, there seem to be a number of disparities between your recollection and Mr. Fraser and Ms Gillane. I know they are not here today but perhaps you will be able to give us a clear output as to the different stages that were taken and what you believe happened at the time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: The report suggests that, in terms of the secondment process, there should be a proper process put in place, but there was a process at the time. Why was that process not followed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: There seems to be a bit of a question as to whether the process that was in place was actually followed thoroughly or whether there was a difference or changes made to it. Perhaps you could explain that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: If you had the time all over again, would you have done things differently and how would you have done it differently?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: In terms of the report, it is recommended that just one person should not have responsibility and it should be a team and it should go through the Department - I think it was the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that they were suggesting. Would you agree with that statement that one person should not have the right to sign off on this alone? No. I disagree with that. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Mistakes were made - there is no doubt about it - with regard to this process. Should you have put up your hand and said "mea culpa" and gone back to the drawing board? Do you believe that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with Secretary General of the Department of Health (19 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Okay. I thank Mr. Watt.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: When this amendment was debated previously, Senator McDowell spoke twice and the Minister of State was due to reply.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 5 and 12 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed?

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Is Senator Higgins withdrawing amendment No. 5?

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Is the House happy for them to be separated? Agreed.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 6, 9 and 10 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the presenters. I heard some of the statements from my office although I had to go to something else earlier. I would like to address my questions to Dr. Marcus-Quinn. Why does digital policy differ between schools in respect of devices? I am involved with a school in which iPhones and iPads are prominent. They are used for everything, including receiving books and accessing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Maria Byrne: It varies from school to school here. Are there any examples from Europe or elsewhere that we could look at in order to form policy?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the announcement by Shannon Airport this morning that passenger numbers are up 21% compared to 2019 and up 22% on 2022. This is really good not only for Limerick but also for the mid-west region. There are currently 33 destinations available from Shannon Airport, with flights to 11 countries including the UK, the US and European countries. Certainly, the new routes announced...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (29 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is very welcome to the House to discuss this all-important issue.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (29 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister. Group spokespersons will have eight minutes each and all other Senators will have five minutes.