Results 1-20 of 77 for going forward speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Pride: Statements (16 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: ...I am also very proud of the role Ireland is playing at a global level in promoting LGBTQI+ rights. While not everything is perfect in this country, we have come a long way. We have further to go. Unfortunately, our gay brothers and sisters in many other parts of the world do not enjoy the same freedoms and rights we enjoy here. I am very proud that during World Pride the Irish Embassy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State and her officials. We look forward to engaging with you again in the course of our work. We will now go into private session for the rest of the meeting to talk to the Oireachtas AI unit, so I propose we take a quick five-minute break.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: ...went on the Dáil record, and this is the only reference on the Dáil record to the IT system. Everybody knew at the time that the Arts Council's IT system was a mess. Part of the solution put forward by the Minister was that this new system would be going live the following year. Were any questions or concerns raised during June or July 2023 regarding the IT system that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Jul 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: I get that, but part of the solution the Minister put forward was that there was an updating of the computerised grants system and this would be going live in 2024. We can check the Dáil record. Clearly, the Department had been told by the Arts Council that this was the solution. What the witnesses are telling me, unless they can prove otherwise, is-----

Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (17 Jun 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for bringing forward this legislation. The bigger debate we need to have is precisely that around the funding of local authorities. It is interesting that our debate is focusing on the question of the local property tax. The Minister will be aware that the overall budget for local authorities in the country is in the order of €6.7 billion annually. We are...

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: With others in this House, and I am quite certain people right across the entire country, we share the horror of what we have been seeing going on in Gaza and across the Middle East. The denial of humanitarian aid to citizens is, as the Taoiseach rightly said, a war crime. The fact that we are now hearing evidence, as Deputy Duncan Smith has said, from a number of trusted humanitarian...

Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan: Statements (15 May 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: ...the Minister’s comments but it is absolutely critical CAP remains as a stand-alone policy of the EU that is separately funded and ring-fenced for agriculture. The purpose of CAP, as he outlined, going right back to the early days of the European Economic Community is to support a sustainable future for the farmers of Europe to ensure we had food security and food production and to...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

Malcolm Byrne: ...Universities Association at which the Minister set out his priorities for the higher education sector. I welcome his commitment to addressing the core funding issue, which is critical. I look forward to the necessary implementation of the commitments regarding the National Training Fund to ensure that our higher education sector is properly funded. The Minister made clear his...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: .... Despite this the number of school places does not always keep up with that rapid growth. I am particularly conscious of places like Arklow, which, because of a wastewater treatment plant, is going to rapidly expand. Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew is looking to rapidly expand from the old 1930s building. It has planning permission yet progress still has not been made. It is...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...problem with a student being potentially included. In many ways, however, it could be that graduate representatives are probably more appropriate because, if you like, they are the people who are going to represent the electorate in this regard. It is important, however. With any advisory committee or anything else, it is around the competence of those who are sitting on the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Centres (4 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...be aware that there are currently 82 data centres in Ireland and they store almost everything that we have on social media but right up to records of hospitals, schools, financial institutions, Government Departments and in fact, I am quite certain a lot of the data relevant to the operation of these Houses is stored in data centres. It is fair to say that a modern society and modern...

Seanad: Protection of Private Residences (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (4 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...individuals, not only politicians but also others, is completely unacceptable. I would like that we would create a stand-alone offence to give the Garda the powers to address these issues. We have got to say to those small fringe groups who have no interest in our democracy and who have no interest in the rule of law that if they want to protest, they should protest legitimately, but...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Expert Advisory Committee Reports into RTÉ: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (2 Jul 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...on significantly. Members of the committee will know how difficult it is to transform an organisation. I think the majority of committee members have always felt, as have I, that while we are not going to agree with everything, RTÉ has a critical role in Irish society. As one of the major players in public service broadcasting, although not the only one, it is important that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...any US function. The hypocrisy of Sinn Féin on some of these issues really is outstanding. In a more positive vein, I certainly support my colleague, Senator Ardagh, in the Bill she is bringing forward today.Like Senator Clonan, I would also like to wish the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, well following his decision to move to the next chapter. I thank him for his service. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...Leader will join with me in wishing the best to all candidates in both the local and European elections. It takes a certain amount of courage, bravery and even foolhardiness to put your name forward. I want to wish every candidate the very best of luck but also to say a particular thanks to those whose names are not on the ballot paper, those who go out and put up the posters, knock on...

Seanad: Protection of Private Residencies (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (23 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking the Bill and for allowing it to go forward. I am quite happy for further scrutiny. I am certainly happy for all of the issues in the legislation to be teased out. This is part of the reason I brought it forward in 2021. I appreciate that the Minister of State is acting on behalf of the Minister for Justice. When we went through Second Stage the...

Seanad: Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024: Second Stage (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for bringing forward this legislation. I have absolutely no doubt that the creation of these funds, at some stage in the future, will be viewed as one of his finest legacies. Indeed, it will have a profound impact on this country. I have no doubt - and I say this with respect to my colleague, Senator Warfield - that at some stage in the future, Sinn Féin will...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (21 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...funding ahead of something coming from what might be regarded as a STEM background. Increasingly, the barriers between disciplines are breaking down, especially when we are considering how we are going to try to solve some of our global problems. It is critical that we have academic freedom for those who are engaged in research and innovation. It has to be evidence-based. I am...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Support for Development of Regional Film and Television Production: Discussion (20 Mar 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: ...of this nature on TG4. I suggest that political drama goes on elsewhere and that facts can often be stranger than fiction. It would be particularly important, in the context of recommendations going forward, that the Department would keep the committee informed in terms of the outcomes with regard to the increase in the cap, the work being done on the unscripted sector and Ireland's...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the witnesses. With regard to what Kevin Bakhurst has said, it is essential that trust in RTÉ and in public service broadcasting be restored. I look forward to the day when we are discussing the broader question of public service broadcasting and how we can support the creation of Irish content and the staff and independent production companies engaged in the good work that is...