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.”
The complete record
Every one of 684 lines we hold for Maria Byrne, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 14.
“As it is now 4 p.m., I am required to put the following question in accordance with an order of the Seanad: "That amendment No. 25 is hereby negatived; section 7 is hereby agreed to in committee; the Government amendments undisposed of are hereby made to the Bill; in respect of each of the sections undisposed of, other than sections 24, 44, 47 and 233 which are hereby deleted, the section or, as appropriate, the section as amended is hereby agreed to in committee; Schedules 1 and 2 are hereby agreed to in committee; and the Title as amended is hereby agreed to in committee."”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and the staff from his Department. We will move on to amendment No. 13 in the names of Senators Stephenson, Harmon, Cosgrove and Noonan. Amendments Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, have already been discussed with amendment No. 6.”
“I welcome to the Public Gallery the group from Coláiste Bhríde Carnew, who are guests of Deputy Brian Brennan. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House today. As is customary, the pupils have no homework for the rest of the week. Is the Order of Business agreed? Not agreed.”
“I thank Senator O'Loughlin. Senator Higgins has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 1, International Protection Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (resumed), be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business and to adjourn at 4 p.m. if not previously concluded. Is the amendment being pressed?”
“I welcome the students from the Edmund Rice Secondary School from Carrick-on-Suir. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House today. As is customary, there will be no homework for the rest of the week. I hope they enjoy their visit. I call Senator Mullen.”
“Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of funding for road improvement works on the national route N69 from Bolton's Cross to the Tim Kennelly roundabout in Listowel, County Kerry. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on a dedicated town bus for Newbridge, County Kildare. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the recommendations of the local democracy task force final report. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Ryan, Duffy, Harmon, Ahearn, Kennelly and O'Loughlin and they will be taken now. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick may give notice on another day of the matter that she wishes to raise.”
“Senator Laura Harmon - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the measures in place to survey, excavate and protect institutional burial sites, in particular sites with likely unrecorded burials, including at Bessborough, County Cork. Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the arrangements to be put in place to ensure the provision of therapeutic fostering support in the south Tipperary region in 2027, given the decision not to renew the service agreement with St. Bernard’s Children’s Services.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the provision of additional funding to support the taking in charge of housing estates following developer insolvency. Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity to make a statement on carrying out a breeding cormorant survey on the Moy catchment area to assess their impact on the decline of salmon in the River Moy.”
“I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, back to the Chamber. I call on Senator P.J. Murphy to move and I understand he is sharing time with Senator Duffy - nine minutes and seven minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“Amendments Nos. 6, 11 to 15, inclusive, 58, 60 to 63, inclusive, 65 to 67, inclusive, 203, 220, 224 to 226, inclusive, 228 to 239, inclusive, 242, 243 and 409 are related. Amendment No. 59 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 58. Amendments Nos. 61 to 63, inclusive, are physical alternatives to amendment No. 60. Amendments Nos. 6, 11 to 15, inclusive, 58, 60 to 63, inclusive, 65 to 67, inclusive, 203, 220, 224 to 226, inclusive, 228 to 233, inclusive, 242, 243 and 409 may be discussed together by agreement. The amendment proposed to amendment No. 14 is also included in this group. Is that agreed?”
“I remind Members that I have allowed Senator McDowell to comment on amendment No. 2 because it was in his name but it has been ruled out of order. The Minister will reply and I will then put the question, "That section 1 stand part of the Bill". I call the Minister.”
“Before I call the Minister, I welcome to the Gallery Mrs Bridget Walsh, who recently celebrated a significant birthday, her 90th. She is joined by her family members. They are guests of our colleague Senator Imelda Goldsboro, so I take it they are all from Tipperary. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I congratulate Ms Walsh on her recent significant birthday.”
“Before I move on to our next speaker, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, a former Member of this House and his guests from the Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce. You are very welcome and I hope you enjoy your visit to Leinster House today.”
“I welcome visitors from Dublin College Sallynoggin who are here in both galleries today as guests of Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett. I also welcome H.E. Bernardo Guanche Hernández, the Cuban ambassador to Ireland, who is accompanied by Marie Barry. They are here with Senator Andrews and they are very welcome. I hope the ambassador enjoys his visit to Leinster House.”
“Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the urban regeneration development fund investment for Dundrum, Dublin. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the recommendations of the local democracy task force final report. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Clifford-Lee, Gallagher, Kyne, Nelson Murray, McCormack and Clonan and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.”
“Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the Trim to Kilmessan school bus service in County Meath. Senator Maria McCormack - The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services in County Laois. Senator Tom Clonan - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on disabled adults' right to State-funded supports and services. Senator Teresa Costello - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on plans to review the role of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics in the drugs reimbursement process. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on a dedicated town bus for Newbridge, County Kildare.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the new family law courts complex project at Hammond Lane, Dublin 7. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the shortage of pathologists across the country. Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the sustainability of seaweed harvesting, in particular in relation to traditional seaweed harvesters, and to ensure there is a regulatory framework in place to support sustainable seaweed harvesting.”
“I welcome those from CBS High School Clonmel, who are guests of Deputy Michael Murphy. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit today. As is customary, there will be no homework for the rest of the day.”
“I welcome the second group from St. John Bosco Community College, County Clare, who are also guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I hope you enjoy your visit here today and, as is customary here in the Seanad, you will have no homework for the rest of the week.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and the official from his Department. Before I call the Minister of State to speak, I welcome Councillor Tom Cronin from Waterford, Peter Reilly, Gerard Reilly, Maurice O'Mahony and Vincent O'Rourke. They are all guests of Senators Curley and Crowe. They are very welcome. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I also welcome St. John Bosco Community College from County Clare, guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I hope they enjoy their visit here today. As is customary, there will be no homework for the rest of the day.”
“Before I call the Deputy Leader, I welcome the students from the junior school at St. Conleth's College. They are guests of Deputy Bacik. I hope they enjoy their visit here today. As is customary when students visit the Seanad, they will have no homework for the rest of the week.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the officials from the Department of Health. They are guests of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I hope they enjoy their day here in Leinster House today.”
“I am glad people who are in this business for a long time are being looked at. Once they can prove that they are in the business for over seven years, while they have to apply for retention, it looks like it should be favourable for people. I know the Minister of State cannot comment on that. However, it is a way of dealing with people in this kind of short-term letting over a long time. There was that fear factor and people did not know what their futures held, so I appreciate the Minister of State's answer.”
“They are afraid their building may not meet the criteria or there will be a delay in obtaining planning permission. Will the Minister of State make a statement on that?”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss my question about short-term lettings. I was speaking to a number of business owners in County Limerick, small landlords who let out their properties on a short-term basis. It is my understanding that a register of short-term rental properties, especially those for tourists, is to be established and it will be run by Fáilte Ireland. I understand planning regulations have to be followed. Some of these businesses have been in operation for a long time. They talk about a "grandfather clause" where they have been in operation for over seven years. What will happen to the short-term letting properties that tourists stay in when using Airbnb? There are many small business owners who have such properties, which are their only source of income.”
“Senator Joe Conway - the need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the discontinuation of English for speakers of other languages classes at Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board. Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of additional funding to complete proposed road improvement works on the national routes N69 and N70 in Kerry. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and the Cathaoirleach has selected Senators Stephenson, Maria Byrne, Fitzpatrick and Joe Conway and they will be taken now. Senator Kennelly may give notice on another day of the matter that he wishes to raise.”
“The Cathaoirleach has received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Patricia Stephenson - the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on Ireland's position on the European Convention on Human Rights in advance of the steering committee for human rights next week, specifically in relation to Article 3 and Article 8 provisions. Senator Maria Byrne - the need for the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on planning permission for short-term rental properties. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - the need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to provide an update on the redevelopment of the GPO.”
“This is a step in the right direction in terms of honouring females and acknowledging their contributions to society and life. I believe that we can all work together in terms of the contribution to support one another while also acknowledging women and the roles they play. I should have said that I am taking this on behalf of Senator Nikki Bradley. Part of the Minister's remit is disability and Senator Bradley is a wonderful disability advocate. I wish her all the best.”
“That whole collaboration piece and support shows that collegiality. It does not just have to be women supporting women. I am delighted that we have a couple of our male colleagues here today to support women on International Women's Day. Another thing I will highlight is that, during the week, there was an announcement from the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, about how the former international rugby experience museum, which was closed down, would become a museum to highlight women and their achievements. It will be under the National Museum of Ireland. The National Museum of Ireland currently has four venues - three in Dublin and one in Mayo - but this will be the first of its kind, in that it will contribute to the lives of females. I think there are many females in Ireland who have contributed so much but many people do not know about them.”
“I know the Minister referred to the women and girls strategy in her speech. The year 2026 has been referred to by my learned colleague as the year of the female farmer. In Limerick, the chairperson of our local IFA is a young female farmer in her 30s. It is great to see females out there and working in jobs that were traditionally held by men. Karen Ronan is a sister of Senator Collins and the national chairperson of Network Ireland, and on Saturday, it is holding a conference in Limerick. It will host its flagship International Women's Day event in the Strand Hotel, the national gathering of female entrepreneurs and professionals. I wish the event the very best because I know that those females who are involved in organisations like Network Ireland have brought other females into it. They have supported, mentored and worked together.”
“She was also the first migrant councillor to be elected in County Meath. She has set up a mentoring programme for women and young people. That is a typical example of how you give back to gain. All of us in this Chamber are politically interested and we often recognise the achievements of political female trail-blazers, as I referred to already, but there are many avenues in life where women break boundaries every day. One that comes to mind is a neighbour of mine, Joy Neville. She was one of the first female rugby referees. There are many females who have followed along that path since, but also females participating in sport. There are female entrepreneurs and female start-up business owners, and many of them have achieved much. They are a great example for our women and girls.”
“When we hosted our event last week, we honoured Frances Fitzgerald for her work and achievements, not only starting off as a social worker, but in the different ministerial roles she held, including serving as a Cabinet Minister for quite a while. In Fine Gael, we are very proud to say that nearly half of our Ministers who serve at the Cabinet table are female. That is a wonderful achievement to have three female Ministers out of the seven serving in those roles. This year theme is "give to gain". Give to gain is a fitting concept for how we can all collectively give back to allow for the best in society to develop. One individual comes to mind. We have a councillor in County Meath, Councillor Yemi Adenuga. When she was elected back in 2019, she was the first black female councillor.”
“International Women's Day is not only a day to celebrate our achievements, but to advocate for greater gender equality. While we can acknowledge our great achievements, we can also recognise that, in many areas, we are still closing the gaps to ensure women have more equal opportunities and experience. When I think of some of the female former Members who were trail-blazers, I think of people like Monica Barnes, Mary O'Rourke, Avril Doyle, Gemma Hussey and Nuala Fennell. They were all way before their time in terms of standing up for women's rights. They spoke about things like the right to work and equal pay for equal work.”
“I thank the Minister, Deputy Foley, for coming to discuss statements on International Women's Day. I know it is next Sunday and we are celebrating it in advance. Last week, I was honoured to host females from Fine Gael. There were female councillors and people from the women's network. It was certainly a wonderful day of celebration. It was about women sharing their resources, their ideas and that whole sense of collaboration. On 8 March, it will mark 115 years of celebrating International Women's Day. We have seen significant changes and advancements for women since 1911. As referred to by my colleague, Senator Murphy O'Mahony, Countess Markievicz was first elected to the House of Commons in 1918 and was later elected the first female TD in 1919.”
“I remind Senators that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage, except the proposer of an amendment, who may reply to the discussion on the amendment. On Report Stage, each amendment must be seconded. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. Before I call on him, I take the opportunity to welcome the group from Laois County Fine Gael. I understand that they are guests of Deputy Aird. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.”
“I welcome Senator McCarthy who has with him Victoria Mary Clarke, Rosa Clarke, Kate O’Toole, Councillor Gaye Ralph, Anne Lane and Winnifred Burke. They are here to celebrate International Women's Day in advance. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.”
“There are three in Dublin and one in Mayo. This will be the fifth once the plan is put in place. It is going to be a museum to acknowledge the achievements of women, and it will be the first in the country to do this. According to the Minister and the Department, women have not been acknowledged over many years for different achievements, so the plan is that this will be a national museum dedicated to the lives of women. However, it will also be a tourist attraction along the Three Bridges Walk around the city. Limerick is synonymous with the Three Bridges Walk. Many people come and visit different cultural attractions as well. There is a ticket people can get for going to different attractions, be it King John's Castle or the Hunt Museum, and this will now be a welcome addition to Limerick city and the cultural tourist trail.”
“I second the proposal from Senator P. J. Murphy that we deal with No. 12 before dealing with No. 1 on the Order Paper. I welcome the news announced yesterday that the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O'Donovan, brought a memo to the Cabinet yesterday in relation to the repurposing of the former International Rugby Experience museum on O'Connell Street in Limerick city. This is an award-winning building. It was built out of the generosity of the McManus family and was gifted to the State. At the time, it was proposed that Limerick City and County Council would take over the building but it was not in a position to do so. I welcome the fact that the Minister has decided to bring it under the auspices of the National Museum of Ireland. Currently, there are four different places for the museum.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. While we wait for the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, I welcome to the Public Gallery visitors from John Scottus National School who are guests of Deputy Hayes. There are also two guests of the Minister, Deputy Foley. I apologise as I do not have their names. Also here are Caitríona Boyd and her grandfather Tony Dunne. You are all very welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Oireachtas. Those who are here from the national school will have no homework for the rest of day as is customary here in the Seanad. Enjoy your day.”
“We now move to amendment No. 2. Amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, are related and Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, are physical alternatives to No. 2. Amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“I was at the Limerick Youth Service centre recently for its awards acknowledging people within the community who were working with youth and helping people to stay on the right road. By working together and with that collaboration piece, I believe that volunteering is certainly to be commended by all. I want us to encourage people to get involved on a voluntary basis whether with the sports club, the youth club or the community centre or working with migrants that come into this country. I compliment the Minister of State and the Department and the Minister, Deputy Calleary, in terms of all they have done with the strategy that has just finished. I look forward to working with them on the new strategy.”
“While we have people that are paid, many of them working on CE schemes; they are giving back to their community. Community centres would not survive without the volunteers that help out be it working with dementia groups, working with older people or working with children. While there are paid people within the centre we also need the volunteers. I want to see an approach where we support people who are volunteering. In respect of those volunteering, Garda vetting was referred to. Many of them have to go on training courses and often pay for those training courses out of their own funds because the organisation they are involved in has not got the funding. I want to see a broad approach certainly in terms of volunteering.”
“The Government had its strategy from 2020 to 2025. Both Senator Tully and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, in his own speech referred to the fact a consultation is currently in process on the upcoming strategy. Will the Minister of State give an indication of when that strategy might be launched? I acknowledge he has been engaging with many volunteering groups throughout the country. Personally, I volunteered with the Special Olympics not only in Limerick but nationally and took part in the world games over a 15-year period. It benefits a person to work with and to help people. There is love and affection but also the respect that you learn to give people who go out there and participate. It is all about participation. I am involved in the community centre, which would not survive without the many volunteers that come along.”
“It is not only about the volunteers who are coming from other countries; it is about the people in different parts of our country who are volunteering. For example, the McManus family started the Team Limerick Clean-Up. People are out on a daily basis, including at weekends, cleaning the streets of Limerick. This led to the Team Limerick Clean-Up on Good Friday every year when thousands of people from across Limerick go out and volunteer to clean up their areas. People do this all year round as well. There is the Redemptorist Perpetual Help Fund consisting of money left by benefactors to the Redemptorists. Not only are they alleviating food poverty, they also provide money to various community centres in terms of education and social inclusion for people. There are many different volunteer groups out there.”
“I thank the Minister for State for coming to discuss this all-important topic. I would like to pay a compliment to all volunteers because right across every city and county, there are volunteers everywhere. They are out on a daily basis. They are out in all types of weather. They are on the side of a pitch. They are involved in community centres. They are involved in so many projects. With the Tánaiste, I visited St. Munchin's Community Centre last Friday. When the Ukrainian crisis hit, it took in many Ukrainians, gave them accommodation and worked with them in terms of the provision of food and different services, and now those Ukrainians are giving back to the community, many of them on a voluntary basis.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I am delighted that Ireland will be prioritising it as part of our EU Presidency. The bottom line here is for a new Irish strategy to commit to screening coverage, rapid referral pathways and targeted outreach, especially in deprived areas, because early detection is the fastest route. The Minister of State referred to that. It leads to fewer deaths, less disability and a healthier workforce. That is what we want to achieve here in Ireland. I thank the Minister of State. I am looking forward to working with her and hearing an update whenever the Department has the final plan.”
“Even in recent times there have been huge risk factors to do with people with cardiovascular disease and there has been a higher uptick in the number people presenting with conditions. Ireland needs to lead the charge in this area of health. We need a safe hearts plan and a cardiovascular disease strategy. What are the timelines for publication and implementation nationwide? When does the Minister of State expect that to happen? It is about early detection and the relatively low-cost interventions that prevent high-risk crises. That is the key thing here. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to discuss my Commencement matter. My question is about the EU safe hearts plan. Under the plan, every country in the EU is supposed to put in place its own cardiovascular plan. We have not had a proper plan since 2019. The last major plan was from 2010-19. While there is a lot of work being done in the area, I believe we should have a modern EU safe hearts programme. It is about blood pressure, stethoscopes, cholesterol, lipids, diabetes, risk, atrial defibrillation, pulse rhythm checks and proactive follow-up with people who are at high risk. Ireland is facing the EU Presidency and we have a key role to play. We will hold the Presidency from July to December. I would like an update on what the Minister and Department of Health will do in this area.”
“Senator Aubrey McCarthy - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the obligations on clinicians in cases where a patient's mental health or decision-making capacity may impair their ability to discharge parental responsibilities. Senator Maria Byrne - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on cardiovascular disease policy in light of the EU safe hearts plan, and to provide an update on the new national cardiovascular disease strategy. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on conducting an independent review into the provision of telemedicine abortion. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. The Cathaoirleach has selected those raised by Senators Andrews, Stephenson, McCarthy and Maria Byrne and they will be taken now.”