Maria Byrne
Agricultural Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The Minister listed some of the different issues that can now be dealt with there. They are quite common issues which do happen in people's lives on a regular basis. Not having to go to a doctor for a prescription certainly saves people money but also time.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this really important Bill today. I thank her personally and her Department for all they are doing for women's health since she came into office. The roll-out of this important Bill and the many other prescription services that can now be accessed through the pharmacy are really important.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Garret Kelleher - The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the section 39 core funding and State support being provided to Westgate Foundation, Ballincollig, County Cork.”
“Senator Aubrey McCarthy - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to make a statement on the timeframe for the transposition of the platform work directive.”
“Senator Alison Comyn - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the inclusion of philosophy as a leaving certificate subject. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the environmental benefits of the deposit return scheme.”
“On a personal note, I too would like to thank everyone for their collegiality over the last 12 months. I thank Aileen, Martin, the staff in the Seanad Office, the ushers and all the staff in the House from the cleaners up. This House would not function without every member of staff within it. I wish Members a happy break.”
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“The Cathaoirleach has received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the status of the local community safety partnerships across the country and to confirm if each of the 31 local authority partnerships have been established. Senator Patricia Stephenson - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the zero-tolerance strategy for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a statement on the provision of community space locations in Trim, County Meath.”
“I thank Rebecca and everybody else for their bravery in coming forward to highlight this. All the resources need to be put in place as soon as possible. One message that should go out is that the HPV vaccine is so important to young children. People became maybe lax about or did not believe in vaccines, but when they see the proof that this could help with the situation. All it can do is defer or maybe help with it, but we need to encourage as many people as possible to take these services when they are being offered them.”
“It is brave of anybody who comes forward to speak about their personal stories. As a government, it is great that we are not opposing this. I welcome every support that can be put in for the patients but also the people that are offering the service and the different surgeries and expertise, because I read in the report that there is only one surgeon looking after people in this way but there are 780 people a year presenting themselves. We need to look at ways of expanding the service and how we can roll out the programme to support people, but to support the staff who are working in this situation as well. Those staff need every support, from financial support to maybe resources and equipment. I am sure there are different ways that the Department can look at supporting it. Overall, I am in favour of this.”
“While there has been a lot of investment in it in the past and the Minister of State spoke about what will happen into the future and the campaign, Smile agus Sláinte, that has been initiated, it is important that we support the people who are going through this process in every way. There is the shock of being diagnosed. When Senator Costello referred to the fact that her tooth fell out, we can only imagine what people with throat and neck cancer experience. I have two friends who were diagnosed with something similar. One lost their voice box. The other had to get implants and get different things done, along with reconstruction. While, to this day, you possibly would not notice it other than up close, the person always knows that they had to have the surgery.”
“In fact, the majority of people who are diagnosed live on the east coast of Ireland but on the west coast, there are low numbers of people being diagnosed. One would have to question whether there is something there that needs to be researched and whether there is something that causes this. Certainly, the HPV vaccine has been highlighted. It is important that a message go out from here that it is important for people to take up the vaccine when they are being offered it. When people go through the trauma, it is not only affects those who are diagnosed, but also their family and friends as well. It is brave of Senator Craughwell to highlight this issue because his family have been through it themselves. As Senator Costello said, there is nothing better than the lived experience. That is what is shining through here today.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming today to discuss this all-important motion. I compliment Senator Craughwell and the Independent Senators, but also Senator Craughwell's daughter, Rebecca, whom I welcome, and the consultants and staff from the Dublin Dental University Hospital. It shows how concerned they are about it that there are so many people here today. On behalf of the Fine Gael, I thank the Minister of State for coming here. As the man says, "I know there is a lot done and a lot more to do." Certainly, his commitment and the commitment of the Government not to oppose the motion is important. I thank Ms Samantha Long who, on behalf of the Independent Senators, sent the briefing note. I was just reading it. I am not sure whether the Minister of State has seen it.”
“Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome to the Public Gallery: Marcos Perez Espinilla and Lourdes Fernandez Velasco, who are the guests of Alan Guidon; and Giacomo Amari and Noemi Quarenghi, who are the guests of Senator Martin Conway. They are all very welcome. I hope I got the pronunciation right. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I call the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins.”
“There is only a small handful of people who could be brought into this category and it would not have a huge impact on the budget. I firmly support the 9% VAT rate cut. I know it has been said that we are supporting takeaway places but a lot of those places employ 3,000 and 4,000 people. That is nothing to be sneezed at. We cannot give it to one and not to the other. The 9% VAT rate has to be across the board for all businesses, especially small businesses. Many of those businesses are small.”
“As well as the doctors and nurses coming from other countries it is also good to have our own homegrown doctors. Many of them are walking into jobs when they qualify. There are many more issues and I have only a limited time. I welcome the money for postmasters to keep many of our small rural post offices open. I welcome the extra 2,000 people who will be eligible for the basic income for the arts scheme. There is also investment in sports. They were talking about elite sports as well as football and about elite athletes. There is something that should also be looked at, which I have previously raised, namely the referees who are also elite sportspeople. They get no tax relief whereas those playing on the pitch do. All the referees were probably elite athletes at one stage too. It needs to be looked at.”
“There is €11.5 million for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. We have ADAPT House and Thomond House, which do wonderful work, and there are many other place around the country that do similar. I really welcome the increase in money for them. On childcare, there is €64 million for childcare places and an increase of 35,000 extra children. It is really to be welcomed but I agree with Senator Rabbitte. We would love to know when exactly it will start. I note the increase in medical and nursing training with 1,100 extra places. On the health budget, I welcome there will be 300 extra people for mental health services and the €8.9 million for cancer care. The number of people diagnosed with cancer is going up every year so the increase there is important. The increase in medical places at third level is really important too.”
“That is the fact. We need to do something to incentivise people to build them. On farm tax relief, there is €2.3 billion, including for TB eradication and tillage. Farm tax relief to young farmers is very positive because we need to encourage people to get involved. The justice budget is €6.2 billion, an increase of €200 million. We will see 1,000 more gardaí which I hope will lead to more feet on the street. In the previous allocation we received ten gardaí and we received a further ten and that has increased. People are starting to comment on seeing gardaí on the streets, which is really important. The 200 additional civilian staff will also relieve gardaí of desk duties to get them out on the street. That is to be welcomed. There is also €90 million for overtime, which will help put gardaí on the street.”
“I welcome the Minister of State and I also welcome the budget announced yesterday. There was €5.2 billion for housing and 25,000 new homes. The €130 million for the housing adaption grant and €140 million for retrofitting of social housing are really welcome. On the expansion of the living cities initiative, it is something we have had in Limerick for some years and it has been a really positive scheme. I would love to see more people avail of it. There was a lot of red tape around it in terms of things like fire escapes and different things which are really important but we need to look at the red tape, which was curtailing people from using it. The VAT cut for residential apartments was described as elitist and a policy where we were looking after our friends but if we do not build apartments, people will not have housing.”
“It is a positive move and I compliment the Government on its investment in apprenticeships. People such as carers are being considered in budget 2026. Significant resources are being put in place for those people, who carry out worthwhile jobs. Many of them help to keep people out of hospital and in their own homes. They need to be looked after on an ongoing basis.”
“I rise today to welcome the budget yesterday. I have two or three things to say. First, €50 million is being provided for tillage farmers. This is a huge issue. I received my nomination for the agriculture panel from the Irish Grain and Feed Association. I know the significant impact that this €50 million will have for these farmers. There is also investment in apprenticeships. I believe that apprenticeships are having a positive impact. It is about encouraging people to apply for them. Some people previously did not consider apprenticeships as an option. There are many openings for people to go through different stages. They can start their apprenticeships, go on and do their certificate and diploma, up to degree level, while being trained and working at the same time.”
“She was acknowledged as the Bluebird Care carer of the year at a prestigious awards ceremony in Birmingham last week. Bluebird said that she encompasses all that a carer should be. I acknowledge her and congratulate her on her award.”
“I rise today, first, to welcome the budget that was announced at 1 o'clock, and the fact that the basic income for the arts scheme is to become a permanent fixture. Some 2,000 artists will be able to avail of this going forward. It is really positive because there are so many people right across that community in different walks of life who find it hard to make an income out of what they do, yet they are very talented. This is a positive. I acknowledge a Limerick woman, Paula O'Keeffe, who has been a carer for Conor O'Dea, who suffered a spinal injury some years ago. I remember Conor when he was playing soccer. He was a very talented player. He was on his bicycle. He suffered a spinal injury. Paula has helped him to get back on his bicycle, through fundraising. He is out doing things that he loves.”
“We look forward to continuing to build on these economic and cultural ties and in working together to build a better Europe. I wish the ambassador and all of the people in Germany a very happy German unity day. The ambassador is very welcome. It was lovely to meet him earlier. Will the Deputy Leader to outline the Order of Business for today?”
“Ireland and Germany have a strong bilateral relationship, one which was strengthened in the aftermath of Brexit, but its origin goes back much further to St. Kilian, who left Ireland along with other monks and arrived in Germany in the seventh century and established enduring links between our two countries. An example of this legacy is the German school, St. Kilian's, which was established in Dublin in 1952. In fact, German is the second most popular foreign language at universities here and the third most popular in schools. We also share strong economic links with Germany, which is Ireland's second largest export destination. Many German companies operate in Ireland. This year, Siemens is celebrating 100 years in Ireland. Its time in Ireland began with the construction of the Shannon hydroelectric scheme at Ardnacrusha.”
“Before I ask the Deputy Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the German ambassador to Ireland. He is accompanied by Deputy Timmins, who is the convenor of the Irish-German friendship group. On 3 October 1990, 35 years ago, Germany achieved reunification after a long period of division and began a successful process or reintegration. Ireland is proud of the part it played as President of the European Council in chairing the pivotal meeting in Dublin that led to pan-European support for German reunification. Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the European Union offers us an excellent opportunity to further strengthen this bond in the context of we can working to achieve a stronger European Union, one that advocates for peace, democracy and solidarity in an increasingly challenging world.”
“Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on measures to reduce the incidence and levels of child poverty and homelessness in Ireland. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to make a statement on the timeline for the reopening of Bailieborough Garda station, Co. Cavan. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and they will be taken now.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Garret Kelleher - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the capital works relating to the construction of a new permanent school building for Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin, County Cork. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the electricity storage policy framework action plan, in particular the establishment of the stakeholder forum under action No. 4; and to outline how meaningful community engagement will be ensured for electricity storage projects.”
“I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, for the debate on the Private Members' motion on agriculture. Before I call the first speaker, I welcome Councillor John Michael Foley and his father John Foley to the audience. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy the proceedings this evening. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. The time limits for the debate are that the combined speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators have six minutes each. I call Senator Paraic Brady to move the motion, which will be seconded by Senator P.J. Murphy and they will share time. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“I listened and discovered how she looks at things older people do, from women's sheds to the Irish Countrywomen's Association to different organisations working together and supporting each another. It certainly was a very positive gathering yesterday in Enniskerry. The other issue is that a report was launched that shows that Limerick has one of the highest rates of derelict commercial buildings of all the cities in Ireland. We have a task force in Dublin and one in Cork. As the driver of the mid-west, Limerick needs a task force as well. I would like the Minister with responsibility for employment to come in and have a discussion on how we can help cities to drive regions in terms of economic development. To do that, we need to have a proactive task force and work with the local authority and different businesses.”
“I would like to be associated with the welcome to the ambassador who was here a few minutes ago. I wish him a happy national day. I rise to welcome the fact that over 18,000 people will be in receipt of the companion pass, effective from today. That will help. It will allow people to bring a companion with them when they travel by train or bus. It helps to address the issue of loneliness. Today is the International Day of Older Persons. I yesterday attended an event in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, where a group of women's organisations came together to discuss things like women's sheds. It was about addressing loneliness and working together to support one another. I met a lady there called Faith who is the national ambassador for older people.”
“I welcome that a Bill is coming to address vapes, including some of the flavours, albeit not all of them, as well as single-use vapes. This is very good news but I still do not understand something. We took a brave move when we brought in the smoking ban and made smokers go out to the smoking area, so why can we not put vapers into the smoking area as well? I believe that people are concerned about this. It is not just youth who are vaping, but all ages. Numbers are going up in terms of the sale of vapes, with more and more people vaping. It is not a fix to do with anti-smoking or stopping smoking, and I believe that people are now vaping more regularly. This legislation to ban it completely indoors has to come sooner rather than later.”
“Businesses which have taken a decision not to allow indoor vaping are not covered by any laws. One or two of them have been threatened with legal proceedings or being sued by people who say they have no right to ban vaping. It is a serious issue and an issue of concern to many people. The ban should be not only in public buildings but also in businesses and indoors in general.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming in to discuss this all-important topic. I ask for an update on indoor vaping. In 2022, I brought a Private Members' motion to this House and the Minister of State's predecessor, Deputy Feighan, took it on behalf of the then Minister, Stephen Donnelly. I was assured we were at an advanced stage of bringing forward recommendations on indoor vaping. I have had businesses and people in public places on to me and they are not comfortable with people vaping at the next table to them or in the hall. Some businesses have taken it upon themselves to ban indoor vaping. There is European legislation and research on the emissions involved. While there is no proof things are not safe, my understanding is the HSE and the Department were doing some research on it. Where is that at?”
“Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome our colleague, Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn and her guests from Fine Gael Dublin South-Central. You are all very welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit here this evening. You are in very capable hands.”
“I also wish to be associated with the votes of sympathy to the family of the late former Minister and Senator, Martin Mansergh, and to Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee on the passing of her mother, Mary. May they both rest in peace. Our thoughts are with the families and, in particular, with our colleague Senator Clifford-Lee.”
“Option B recommends something the Leader will be familiar with, that is, a model 3 hospital alongside a model 4 hospital, similar to Merlin Park University Hospital and University Hospital Galway. While the model 3 hospital would have an emergency department, it would not cater for acute emergencies. Option C would involve building a completely new hospital with a second accident and emergency department. Discussion is needed regarding those options. In the meantime, however, we need to find an additional 92 beds before the end of the year. There are more than 100 people on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick today. The report is welcome. We have waited for a long time for it to come out, but we need to start acting on it sooner rather than later because this is a pressing issue.”
“I wish to raise the report that was released this morning by HIQA regarding University Hospital Limerick and the three recommendations it contains. My understanding is that all three recommendations are under consideration. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to come before the House as soon as possible to discuss this issue? One of the key things that came out of the report is the need for 90 additional beds at the hospital. That is despite the fact that we will be opening 92 new beds in the next couple of weeks, as I understand it. The recommendations are as follows. Option A would involve an expansion on the existing hospital grounds.”
“Before we move to the Order of Business, I welcome Stella O'Loughlin, niece of our Deputy Leader, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, to the Chamber. She is in very capable company and I hope she enjoys her visit to Leinster House.”
“Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to address water issues in Macroom, County Cork. Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the status of the courtroom and facilities at Castlerea Prison, County Roscommon. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the regulation of battery energy storage system sites. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Shane Curley, Pauline Tully, Dee Ryan and Martin Conway, who are sharing their time, Nicole Ryan, Gareth Scahill and Sarah O'Reilly, all of which will be taken now.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Shane Curley - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the provision of a new school building for Carrabane National School, Athenry, County Galway. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the provision of a school bus service for students from Cavan Town attending St. Bricin's College, Belturbet, County Cavan. Senators Dee Ryan and Martin Conway - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the timeline for the publishing of the HIQA review into urgent and emergency care in the mid-west region. The Senators will share time.”
“When the mother was asked to make a statement about her family member, she was afraid to do so and refused. It was the advocacy of the community garda that resolved that issue, and it was resolved to satisfaction. I raise it as a concern because if there is a fear factor that means a family member is not going to raise the issue or agree with the sentiments as to what it is, and there is nobody outside the family who can do so, there need to be some other mechanisms. Maybe there is something else that can be looked at in relation to that. Overall I commend the Minister of State on her work to date. I look forward to working with her through all the other Stages. I am sure she has other amendments she is bringing forward. Well done to her and her Department.”
“It is something she might be able to consider and come back on at a later time if she does not wish to comment today. Those who presents themselves to be assessed or whatever sometimes do so on their own. I am not sure it falls within the scope of the Bill but it would be worthwhile if they could have somebody with them to offer support or to be there with them. It is quite a frightening place to be. I am interested in the fact that An Garda looked to be taken out of the system. I had a case in Limerick where neighbours came to me as they were concerned about elder abuse. It was a family member who was possibly mentally abusing his or her mother, giving out to her and constantly putting her under pressure. It was An Garda Síochána that resolved that issue and had that person sent for treatment.”
“There should be some sort of an independent mechanism whereby a person can lodge a complaint or bring forward any concerns. An independent person could oversee this. Will anything like that be looked at? It is important to have somebody who is independent and uninvolved. I am not taking from anybody who is doing their best within the system, but there needs to be an independent mechanism through which issues or concerns can be raised. The representative should have the right to either investigate or deal with it and come back with some recommendations. I met with representatives from Mental Health Reform and they raised issues relating to sections 48 and 51. They felt the sections were stronger before the changes were made. I am not sure if the Minister of State wishes to comment on that. I know she has been looking at different sections.”
“Is there a record kept of those medications? I understand very strong medication is used in these kinds of circumstances. Some people have raised with me their concerns around the whole medication side of it. The wife of this man actually agreed at the time that he needed to be medicated but they were concerned about the long-term effects. Are there any other ways to help this man that can be looked at? It is unfortunate. He is out of the system now but he is still in and out of the services. He spent three years being looked after in the unit. I compliment the staff who worked with this man and got him out the other side. It was a big shock for the family that a person who had been well would end up with these issues. Advocacy was raised by Senator Costello.”
“Even though it is quite a low number and it was a lot higher previously - I compliment the Minister of State on that as her personal drive and commitment helped to reduce it and I know she has been observing it as we spoke about it previously - we should have a unit because sometimes there are issues around young people. I know one or two young people who have been through the system and although they have come out the other side stronger than when they went in, I am not sure it is right for them to be in a place with adults. I know somebody who has spent quite a bit of time within the unit. He went from being a normal person to becoming physically violent. There were a lot of issues with the person, but he was also depressed and not in a good place. This person was self-harming and harming the nurses or staff. He was medicated.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I know about her passion for and commitment to this Bill and how long she has been working on it to make sure it is right. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure the Bill is right when it leaves this House. I welcome many of the changes that have been made, but there are one or two things I wish to raise. The Minister of State mentioned that only two people under 17 are currently in this category, but when are we going to have age-appropriate units in order that children will not be in the same facility as adults?”
“The Department needs to be flexible in its approach and look at how it can support people like this young girl into the future because this means a lot to her. I would welcome any support the Leader can give me, such as writing to the Department, highlighting this issue and saying that he supports it.”
“Eventually she will be able to have an operation to help with her illness but she is thinking about down the road, whether she would get married, her fertility and if she was to become pregnant. She was looking to see if she could have some of her eggs frozen. This is not covered by the Department of Health. You can have eggs frozen because of many illnesses but not Crohn's disease. This young girl is distraught and upset about how sick she is and thinking about her future. She is only 18. There needs to be some sort of flexibility for people who have a debilitating illness now. There is a chance that down the road in the coming years she will have a more balanced life and will not be as ill as she is now. She has not been at school for two years because she has had to spend so much time in hospital.”
“I wish to be associated with the Cathaoirleach’s remarks about Julie and her retirement. I thank her for everything. I think she is with us for another week or two but I wish her all the best in her retirement. She has always been very kind and courteous and looked after everybody so well. The food and everything has never been a letdown. Julie really is fantastic not only in the job she does but also in how she chats to everybody and embraces life. I wish her and her family the best in her retirement. I received an email from a young girl recently who has very severe Crohn's disease. She spends a great deal of time in hospital because of her immune system and how weak she is, but she is thinking of her future.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to welcome the ambassador and her team. It was a pleasure to chat with her earlier and to hear about Malta and a few things that we have in common in terms of manufacturing and other industry. Tourism is such a big, important issue to both our countries. and also I know from speaking to her that Malta has a population of about 500,000 people, which, as she pointed out, is a zero less than what we have in terms of five million people. The delegation is very welcome here today. It is very important that we mark all European independence days and work alongside our ambassadors for the good of both countries. There are so many direct flights between our countries and so many people go there on holidays. The Leader said that he was in Malta on his holidays in the past two or three years.”
“I thank the Minister of State. Before I call the next speaker, on my own behalf I welcome Mr. Martin Hughes, our new Clerk of the Seanad. I am sure some of the Members may not have met him yet but we look forward to working with him. I congratulate him on his new role and look forward to working with him into the future.”
“The Minister of State has ten minutes, all groups' spokespersons have eight minutes and all other Senators have four minutes. Before we move on to this, I want to mention Tawana Bolbolan who is from the US and is interning with Senator Nicole Ryan. She is very welcome and I hope she enjoys her experience here today.”
“I welcome the two groups present in the Public Gallery and Visitors Gallery, who are guests of Deputy Carrigy and the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.”
“I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Deputy Michael Murphy from Tipperary South and his guests, Seamus Doherty, Martha Kerton and Mary Harrington. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House and the Seanad. They are very welcome.”
“I am delighted to congratulate France and its people on their national date, known as Bastille Day, which we will celebrate on Monday, 14 July. I welcome the ambassador, H.E. Céline Place, who is accompanied by an Cathaoirleach, Senator Daly, the convener of the Irish-French parliamentary friendship group, Deputy Barry Ward, and staff from the embassy. They are all very welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I hope they enjoy their day. I extend best wishes to all in France for Bastille Day.”
“We will now have a minute's silence to commemorate the Srebrenica massacre. As Members are aware, this month marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide. Today we commemorate and honour the victims of the genocide, the 8,000 men and boys killed and all those who were impacted by the atrocity. I ask Members to stand for one minute's silence to commemorate the victims of the genocide.”