Results 6,521-6,540 of 9,827 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: While I agree with Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell’s amendment to the Order of Business, I am calling for a special debate on the North of Ireland. The situation there is in crisis mode. Sinn Féin and the DUP, Democratic Unionist Party, are singularly incapable of governing in the North and do not seem to want to govern. The Irish Government is also allowing the British...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: It is a fact. The current Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, is slightly more involved. He needs to get in there, however, representing this country and the people of Northern Ireland who are misgoverned by the Sinn Féin and DUP governing arrangement.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: It was not actually. I called for a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: That is the point.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Every other body is up and running. The VECs and health forums have numerous meetings and these committees, in my view, because the local authorities have too much to do, are on the back burner. As far as I know, they have not yet started back in County Meath. One should take them out of the local authority administrative structure. It would be far better for the public and a better use...

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I am willing to allow a Government member to speak before me as I have only arrived in the Chamber.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Have all of those on the Government side spoken? Does Senator Burke wish to speak before me?

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: If Senator Colm Burke wishes to speak now, I would be delighted.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Senator Colm Burke for speaking before me as I had just arrived in the Chamber. Like him, I did not realise that this debate was taking place as early as it was.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: From Brussels? I was not in Brussels.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I support our amendment to this motion, which is important. It is a pity the Government motion does not recognise the problems in the Garda force and in the justice system at present. There is a great a lack of morale and great difficulties. Crime rates are increasing. Members of the public do not have any confidence in the crime rates because some people are afraid to report crimes and...

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Only when you were caught.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, Senator Mark Daly is unmarried and my wife was never appointed to a board. Before Senator Maurice Cummins throws these allegations-----

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Is the Senator accusing my wife of being on a board?

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Senator David Norris has left.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: They can probably speak Irish.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Táim chun labhairt as Gaeilge anocht mar measaim go bhfuil an-tábhacht ag baint le cúrsaí Gaeilge agus litríocht agus filíocht na Gaeilge i gcomhthéacs na n-ealaíon sa tír seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad. Tá a lán ceisteanna curtha agam uirthi le laethanta beaga anuas, ach nílim chun na ceisteanna sin a...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: We objected to the last section because the issues we raised were so serious that they impinged on the Constitution. We believe there was a major unfairness in what was proposed. I acknowledge the comments of the Minister of State to the effect that he will continue the dialogue. We are keen to ensure that this dialogue would continue in an orderly way and yet that the Bill would not be...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This goes to the heart of the issues discussed about other sections. In the light of these discussions and even after two years after the Bill was first published, will the Minister of State simply withdraw the amendment and come back on Report Stage after discussions with the industry? I have read some of the representations made to me concerning the legislation’s provisions and do...