Results 2,001-2,020 of 2,806 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. We are all looking forward to debating the report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. I welcome the indications by the Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, that there will be an increase in defence spending of the order of about €500 million, although, on the basis of the recommendations within the commission...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for the response, and while I appreciate she is answering on behalf of the Department of Defence, I am concerned by it. My question is on our defence capability. If we faced an air or sea incursion or a serious cyberattack on critical infrastructure in the State, can we be confident we would be able to address those attacks? As an independent, sovereign State,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Last weekend marked the all-Ireland confined drama finals in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and it was won by a drama group from Kilmuckridge, County Wexford. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will join me in congratulating the group and the director, Anthony O'Connor, and equally to wish the best of luck to the ten drama groups which, from tomorrow night, are taking part in the RTÉ...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 54: In page 29, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “Youth Advisory Panel 19A.(1) The Commission shall, within one year of its establishment, establish a Youth Advisory Panel, in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2) The Panel shall advise the Commission on issues of interest to children and young people, on online safety, and on...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome that and I appreciate the concern. However, that is precisely the intention behind the amendment. I worry that if time elapses there may be other reasons that committees are needed. There may be a need to set up a committee on, for instance, how one deals with broadcasting in the metaverse in the future. The core reasons that this commission is being set up are to address the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Am I allowed to ask a question of the Minister of State before I answer?

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I think this is important. We worked in a very collegial way, both in this House and in the committee, and we are being told on many amendments that the Minister will go away and reflect on them. The Minister of State will appreciate this as the Chief Whip. Could we say that if the Minister's reflections do not take on board a lot of the proposed amendments coming forward, it is fair to...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will withdraw the amendment, but I will reintroduce it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: On a point of order, I must challenge this interpretation. It comes back to the points on amendments being ruled out of order. This amendment is in many ways structurally no different to the previous amendments in that it proposes to specifically require the establishment of one of the sub-committees or committees to deal with broadcasting. In many ways, there is no difference to the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes, but I question why we are allowed to debate the establishment of a youth advisory panel as a sub-committee of the commission but not a specific committee to deal with broadcasting.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Absolutely.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: All I will say on amendment No. 55 is that in the process of reflection that is going on, I urge that there would also be a requirement in terms of what is brought forward because we specifically want something to deal with broadcasting for fear that it will be lost in the overall area.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am afraid I have some problems with a number of these amendments. The Senator touched on some of these herself. I have no problem with the oversight aspect but I believe the Senator is being overly prescriptive. I can foresee circumstances in which it would be required to borrow in dollars or another currency, particularly given the nature of the business the media commission is to be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The Minister of State’s role in ensuring action was taken on foot of the Moorhead report to address the terms of conditions for councillors needs to be acknowledged. The Minister of State provided great leadership in that regard and I know he continues to work closely with the representative...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: That was a comprehensive response, and reflects the Minister of State's understanding of and passion for local government. Councillors around the country are full of praise for his work in this area. One issue he did not refer to, however, and I appreciate the time constraints at work, was the general policy concerning the exclusion of councillors from State boards. It is written into...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Along with the Cathaoirleach and the Leader, I welcome the Polish ambassador to our Chamber and recognise the great generosity of the people of Poland to those who are fleeing Putin's war in Ukraine and the contribution of Polish people in Ireland. The ambassador's first trip outside of Dublin following her appointment was to Gorey where we have a very active Polish association. An enormous...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is not quite a quote from one of my favourite poets and writers, Brendan Behan. We might reflect on this when we get all the brick-bracks thrown at us from those online who constantly attack us: Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it's done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves. I hope that when we face unfair criticism, we reflect on...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will speak to amendment No. 96, which reflects some concerns. It is slightly different from the other amendments, which speak to a determination of time for party political broadcasts. This speaks to the allocation of time for political programmes by public sector broadcasters. Some programmes are particularly balanced and have a Government and an Opposition representative. As the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with many of the points made by Senator Higgins. Regarding the Minister’s response, this is at the heart of our democracy. I refer to ensuring that all sides of a political argument get aired. It is important that discussion is based on evidence. As the Minister rightly stated, however, the political landscape has changed enormously, and it is important that a broad range...