Results 41-60 of 1,265 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I constantly raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick, as the Leader is aware. I know the current CEO is on leave and I wish her the very best. Ms Sonya Cotter, the assistant national director of the HSE, has today taken over the running of the hospital and I wish her and the new team the very best of luck. Many changes had to be made at the helm in terms of the running of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Apologies, I had another committee meeting earlier and that is why I was not physically here but I read the opening statement. I have two questions. We now have the bank levy and the new proposals about access to cash and all focus mainly on the three retail banks. Is the CBI concerned about possible unintended consequences for consumers by the State hiking up fixed costs for retail banks?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Absolutely, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: -----we are reading more and more about the number of people, and especially older people, who are being hoodwinked out of their money, for want of a better description.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: The sooner the meeting can happen, the better. To meet with the likes of Meta, Google, Facebook or whatever the company might be is very important here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: That is great. I thank Ms Rowland very much.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland (14 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Yes. Does the Central Bank intend to have that meeting in the near future? I ask because-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I raise the plight of small businesses, especially SMEs. In the latter half of 2023, 280 small coffee shops and restaurants closed and this is most frightening. We are now in February of 2024 and there are still some businesses closing. It is down to the increased costs that are being put on these small business owners, the VAT increase from 9% to 13.5% for the gastropubs and restaurants,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming here today to outline the criteria regarding the living alone allowance. I have been contacted by many people in this regard. The house of the neighbours of one person became infested with rodents and the person allowed those neighbours – a man, his wife and a small baby – to stay in his house for free for a couple of months while the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. As he said himself, this is something which affects many people in many constituencies, so I will speak to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, about it to see if it can be considered. I know it seems like the budget is a lifetime away but we are in February now and time flies by. Now is the time to start...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I rise to express my frustration with what is happening at University Hospital Limerick. I have been very consistent for quite a while in looking for the Minister to come here to address it. Yesterday, I wrote to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and asked him to declare a state of emergency at University Hospital Limerick. I know that the Minister was interviewed yesterday and said it was...

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 8 to 13, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: It is amendments Nos. 8 to 13, inclusive.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. Before I go to Senator Gavan, I welcome to the Gallery the students and teachers from Glenstal Abbey in Limerick. It seems that Limerick is taking over the Chamber today. We are currently discussing a Bill to deliver a directly elected mayor for Limerick. They are very welcome as guests of Deputy Leddin.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Is Senator Gavan moving his amendments?

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: We are due to conclude at 3.21 p.m.

Seanad: Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023: Committee Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: As the time allocated for the debate has elapsed, we must now adjourn in accordance with the order of the Seanad today. I ask Senator Gavan to report progress.

Seanad: Digital Services Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Before I go on, I welcome Liam McDonnell from Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Dublin 15, who is working as an intern with Senator Currie. Liam, you are very welcome. I hope you are enjoying your experience in the Visitors Gallery here in Seanad Éireann. Amendment No. 36 is in the name of Senators Higgins, Ruane, Flynn and Black.

Seanad: Digital Services Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Amendments Nos. 37 to 40, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Digital Services Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Feb 2024)

Maria Byrne: Is the Senator pressing the amendment?