Results 7,721-7,740 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: You have ignored the wealthy. We targeted the wealthy as well, Maurice.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It seems a fundamental unfairness to target carers for what, along with the back to school allowance, is the largest cut to anybody in this budget. The question is why were they targeted? Carers make a contribution, the value of which has doubled since 2006 when it was ¤2.5 billion. Some 900,000 hours of caring are given every day and the value of that is equivalent to a third of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: As Senators have rightly pointed out on this section, the respite care grant is paid in June. It will be paid in June regardless of what we do at whatever level the Government decides but at least if we say "call a halt to this, tóg sos, tóg go bog é" we can ask them to reconsider the cut and its fundamental unfairness. That is all we can do in this Seanad. We cannot write a cheque. We...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The filibuster has been used historically to stop people getting their civil rights. The Government is shamefully using a filibuster to prevent debate about serious cuts to the most vulnerable in our society.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: This is shameful and pathetic from a law professor.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

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

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Is the Senator still in the Labour Party?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: They are getting rid of a lot of Labour Party people.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, the Senator is not speaking to the section.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The section relates to the commencement date of other sections. We can discuss those other sections later. This is filibustering.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator is filibustering. She does not even know what section she is talking about.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That did not apply in the case of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, when there was a budget overrun in his Department and across the health service.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That did not happen in the health service.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Department of Health was given a Supplementary Estimate. Why should the position in respect of the Department of Social Protection which deals with the most vulnerable in society be different?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Is the Senator jumping ship?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We did not mention the Senator at all.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Táim buíoch do mo chomhleacaí, an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill, as a chuid ama a roinnt liom. In the programme for Government, the Government parties commit to protecting social welfare rates. There is nothing in the programme for Government about core or specific rates. The Tánaiste, the leader of the Labour Party, reaffirmed that commitment on the 100th day in office of this Government....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We would have supported the legislation at the time if he had agreed to the grants then.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We pushed the Government very hard on the issue.