Results 2,121-2,140 of 2,806 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Diplomatic Representation (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I certainly would encourage anyone to serve in a public service capacity. I note that the reply from the Department of Foreign Affairs avoids the question I asked. It does, however, make a very clear point in stating that when the Minister is considering an appointment, he will look at applicants' "management experience, regional knowledge, country knowledge...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Deputy Leader, this afternoon, after 11 days, a boil-water notice was lifted for Wexford town and parts of the surrounding area. So for 11 days, including over the St. Patrick's holiday weekend, the people in and around Wexford town were not guaranteed to have clean water and a reliable supply. Other parts of the country have experienced the same problem and last year my home town of Gorey...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank all of the witnesses for their useful testimony. Dare I say it but the question of higher education funding is the modern political equivalent of draining the Shannon. It is something that everyone thinks might be a good idea and it is kicked to touch and pushed down the road. It is perhaps reflected in the fact that there is not big turnout among Oireachtas Members at this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Let me throw out a further question for which I ask for a quick one-or-other answer. The Minister for Finance might say he has very limited resources. If they had to make a choice between the abolition of fees and significantly reforming and increasing the money available under the SUSI grant system, what would our witnesses do? I ask each of them to respond in ten or 15 seconds.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with Ms Horan on core funding to provide existing services. One of the big challenges we will increasingly face is that because of the rapid pace of technological change, we will all be required to upskill and reskill. Programmes such as Springboard have been effective - and there have been some moves - but in terms of the scale of what we will need to do and the amount of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: When does Mr. Horgan think the breaking point will happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is about us shaping the future rather than predicting it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I would like to echo Professor Rogers's point that we tend to think of students as being in a particular age cohort so I should take out my student card and point out that I am one of those impacted. It comes to questions about participation rates and Deputy Conway-Walsh’s question about what makes Ireland different. We should be proud that we have one of the highest participation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The complexity of the debate around participation is important. It is about allowing those pathways from further education into higher education and in the reverse as well. My worry is that there is a simplistic view around the debate that we would abolish the €3,000 fees and that will dramatically increase access. It has to be around ensuring that pathways and access programmes are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Funding of Higher Education: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I would love both but it is about priorities.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Senator Keogan and a number of other colleagues who organised a very successful coffee morning in aid of Ukraine earlier. The event reflected the enormous cross-party support for the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross and many others. This year marks 50 years of Ireland's membership of the European Union. In that context, I call for a debate on the future of Europe which also...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Mine is the only party whose leader who did not go to a private fee-paying school.

Seanad: Seachtain na Gaeilge: Ráitis (9 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Dhá nóiméad an duine, le toil an Leas-Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Seachtain na Gaeilge: Ráitis (9 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach agus leis an Aire. Aontaím leis an Aire gur cheart dúinn Linda Ervine a mholadh as a cuid oibre. Chualamar óráid spreagúil uaithi an tseachtain seo caite. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil le mo chara Paula Melvin, uachtarán nua Chonradh na Gaeilge. Ba mhaith liom gach rath a ghuí uirthi, ar...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Food Industry (8 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this question. Trade policy and import substitution is an area in which he has a strong interest. Today, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is meeting various farm organisations. One thing he will encourage is increasing grain production to help provide greater domestic food security. This is something that will be very welcome if it...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Food Industry (8 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to that meeting. Most people in this country strongly support the sanctions we need to stand up to Russia. As the Minister of State said, it has consequences. One of the issues is the price of a loaf of bread. We all know the implications that will have, especially for those on low fixed incomes. It is important, therefore, that we give...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Is Senator Hackett before me?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am happy to-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Like my colleagues, I wish everybody a very happy International Women's Day. I too will raise issues around the crisis in Ukraine. One thing we have seen in recent weeks is the great community spirit on the part of citizens and residents throughout the country who are volunteering to help out. We need to recognise their contribution. It is astounding to see those who are looking to help...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Programmes (3 Mar 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for taking this matter. He will be aware that the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, was established in 1954 as an international collaboration to advance human knowledge. The latest estimate is that more than 16,000 scientists from more than 110 countries have been engaged in CERN's activities. It is the world's leading particle...