Results 7,521-7,540 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I will make a general point now that the issue has been raised by Senator David Norris. I blame the Fianna Fáil Party for the language used. The Senator wants to remove the influence of the troika, as we all do, but we should not forget that the troika is made up of public sector bodies. The IMF is a United Nations organisation and the European Commission is effectively part of our...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: During our debate on amendment No. 8 I made the point that section 2 gives the Minister very novel powers and takes power away from Parliament. I thank the Minister's officials for briefing me during the Vote and it proved useful. Part of the reason that I called for a Vote was to seek clarification. The Minister did tell me that the 2009 Act contained a similar power or provision. It does...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: In regard to the specific items agreed in the Haddington Road agreement - for example, Sunday pay for those affected by it - if it turns out later in the year, or early next year, that the Minister is not getting the savings he requires, could this section be used by various Ministers? If the Minister for Health has a deficit this year, as he did last year, could he forget the provision in...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator should talk to the parish priest.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We will have a debate on this.

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It has not happened in decades.

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Ireland currently faces an epidemic of illegal diesel. There is a huge problem with the sale of illegal diesel, and figures suggest at least 12% of all diesel in Ireland is sold illegally. When one goes to a garage, unless one knows it is wholly owned by one of the major oil companies, one is never 100% certain whether there is some illegal diesel in the tanks. This is not a victimless...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (16 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am grateful to the Senator. I must attend an engagement so I owe her a favour. I also thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his stewardship of the Seanad this week and for allowing me to speak twice during the Adjournment debate. I appreciate his efforts. In County Meath there are significant issues that need a response from the Government this evening or this week. My issue relates to the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (16 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is what I said.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (16 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The people of Meath will greet the Government's statement with great disappointment. Today is the first time that I have heard the new emergency department in Navan referred to as the "new minor injury unit". That is its formal description in the Government's reply. I am not making a personal attack on the Minister of State. He simply read the statement on behalf of the Minister who did...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Primary Care Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am very grateful to the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. It relates to primary care. We could discuss primary care centres in Kells, Laytown and Bettystown, and perhaps we will do so again. They are very important, but I will focus on the Ashbourne primary health care centre. It has been built a long time. I ask the Minister of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Primary Care Services Provision (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome what the Minister has said about the opening of the primary care centre in Ashbourne. At the start of the year we were told it would open in the first quarter, then that it would happen in May. From what the Minister of State has said, I note significant progress is being made, which I acknowledge and welcome. It is a shame to see a large building being under utilised, although,...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: In light of what the Leader said about his discussions with the Minister for Health, I will not press my amendment. I hope that the Leader will provide an update tomorrow morning. I seek a specific date, as early as possible, regarding the matter. It is worth repeating what the Leader said about the Sinn Féin party welcoming the report because it will be news to many people around the...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: A colleague of the Leader resigned from his party over the hospital.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Leader cannot say there are enhanced services.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We are talking about the report where he is praising what happened to the Louth hospital. He has campaigned against it for years and years, and, now, it is the greatest thing that ever happened.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: There were two referendums.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That statement must be withdrawn.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator is misleading the House. The politicians all crowing about-----