Results 2,321-2,340 of 2,806 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Work Permits (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. The reality is that the economy is starting to recover, probably at a more rapid rate than was expected. That is very welcome but one of the biggest challenges we face, if not the biggest, is the shortage of skilled labour. We are hearing that from employers right across the sector. We are very familiar with the shortage of skilled...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Work Permits (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I smile when the Minister of State mentions that the number of applications for work permits in September 2021 represented a 41% increase on September 2020, given that people were not allowed to travel and that we were in the middle of some of the big Covid challenges. I am disappointed, although I appreciate that the Minister of State is answering on behalf of his colleague.The name of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like Senator Craughwell, I too, once again, call for a debate on our policy on China. I remain disappointed by the approach of the Department of Foreign Affairs in regard to the Richard O'Halloran case. It is clear there has been no progress made. It is now a matter of urgency on a whole range of issues, including the genocide against the Uyghur, the treatment of the Tibetan minority and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like Senator Dolan, I wish all of the participants in the finals of the Community Games well. As somebody who has taken part in activities run by the Community Games, I can attest to the fact that it is a wonderful organisation.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Curiously enough, I won a medal for art.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I wish to refer to a crucial decision that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine must make about the basic payment system. Under the Common Agricultural Policy, as we know, he was successful in that we have maintained a certain level of discretion that allows us to make our own call on the level of convergence. It is important that we continue to support the productive farmers...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this matter. He will be aware the Cassells report was published in 2016. For five years, it has been kicked to touch, but having sought advice at European level, we did get an assurance from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that we will finally come to crunch time - I believe the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the fact that the Department has that report but my question is when we will see publication. It is important we have an open debate on this and that all the stakeholders are involved in the process. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has previously promised that the report would be published this autumn. Given the critical nature of investment in this sector, as the Minister of State...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I will raise again the need for a debate on how technology is changing the world of work and, indeed, all aspects of our lives. I do so in a couple of contexts. The Leader will be aware of the testimony of Frances Haugen before the US Congress. She is the Facebook whistleblower who revealed a number of things many of us have heard about Facebook and some of the other social media...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Ba mhaith liom dhá cheist a ardú inniu. I wish to raise the question of foreign births registration, which is the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Prior to Covid, it took 12 to 18 months to process applications, but during Covid the whole process was frozen. There was no progressing of any of the applications, and anyone who now wants to register a foreign...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes, and I am sure that if Senator Mullen had a ticket, rather than going to Bellewstown, he would be there tonight.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: A very serious issue is raised, though, because the night-time industry has been closed for 18 months. Nightclubs have not been open. I refer to the licensing fee legislation and the fact that so many late bars and nightclubs now have to pay for special exemption licences after the difficulties they have been through. Because they have to pay for them in advance, I do not think it is...

Seanad: Interim Report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (30 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Deputy Leader for chairing our Brexit committee. For all my colleagues, it has been a very useful and informative engagement. I thank the Minister and the Department officials for their work. One issue we all felt was important, and I am sure the Minister will appreciate it, is that in the past on the fringes of EU summits, it was always possible for Irish Ministers and UK...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I endorse the remarks of Senator Black around the importance of music and the arts. As she said, it is great that gigs are back and events are starting to happen again. Things have been difficult and we need to support the sector as it reopens. I want to raise the question of pensions. I am concerned by some of the very populist debate that is happening around pensions at the moment and...

Seanad: Housing For All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland: Statements (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming in to take this issue. The crucial question around Housing for All and the document the Government has published is not the reaction in these Houses, it is the reaction on the ground. Since it has been published, I get asked to explain the scheme, how it will work, whether one will be able to qualify for an affordable home in one's position and how the shared...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank both Dr. Whitty and Ms Heaney for their presentations. I have three questions. I am conscious that Dr. Whitty said that 68% of museums in Ireland are independent and community or volunteer-led. Ms Heaney talked about some of our national cultural institutions, which have somewhat of a State cushion. Will the witnesses outline some of the financial challenges those independent and...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Before Dr. Whitty's colleagues come in, did her organisation quantify the scale of the losses to the independent and voluntary museum sector over the Covid period? Some of the national cultural institutions had a cushion.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am out of time but I will ask Ms Heaney or any other witness to say a line or two on how to get more of our museums and galleries open late at night or on the digital offering.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I have a further question which is related. We are coming out of a very successful decade of commemorations but are coming into perhaps that most difficult period of Irish history. We have already seen the controversy around events in Armagh. We are moving into that period of the Irish Civil War and the foundation of the State which is a more sensitive area. What role do the witnesses see...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: It might be useful for Members of the Oireachtas to visit that exhibition in Belfast. It could certainly be helpful. My colleagues in west Cork might have more of an interest in the Collins slippers.