Results 7,981-8,000 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I would like to comment on the amendments before they are withdrawn. We have been told that this is a striking blow for more accountability, openness and transparency in the health service. However, what we are getting in terms of the section under discussion is the same legislative provisions as heretofore in terms of accountability and the delegation of functions down the chain away from...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am delighted to hear the good news story outlined by the Minister. However, this was done under the Health Act 2004, which begs the question as to what is the purpose of this legislation.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I acknowledge that this section copies section 21 of the Health Act 2004, as I understand it. However, I do not agree with the provision and I am not sure it has been invoked up to now. I would hope that it would not be invoked under any circumstances because I believe an Oireachtas committee can make its own determination as to what is or is not sub judice. This option for the director...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I was attending the finance committee.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I do not know where the Minister was. He could not be found by the media for a number of days.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister personalised it in respect of me. I was attending the Oireachtas finance committee.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: There was an implication.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: With this provision, the programme for Government is once again torn to pieces. The amendment my colleague seeks to make merely seeks to implement what is in the programme for Government. The Senator is asking that "subject to subsection (4)" be deleted. The subsection means a public competition does not have to take place in respect of the job. Where is the new politics and open...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Am I supposed to agree with everything?

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The view expressed by the Minister that nobody can be found to run the health service for ¤195,000 per year for three years is beyond belief, ludicrous and untrue. The Minister has not even tried to engage in a public appointments process. In one case in which there was a public appointments process, the candidate ultimately selected was unable to take up the position. In this case,...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister signed up for a programme for Government but this legislation goes directly against its provisions. I do not understand how the Labour Party, which is so concerned about the programme for Government, and Fine Gael can let this occur and laugh it off. The public is not laughing it off. The Minister talked about blame and suggested what the public is angry about. The public is...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That will really help the sick people of Ireland.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Public Transport (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I will be glad to do that. Stamullen is the largest town in Ireland with no public bus service. There is no private service either. The issue with the No. 109 route is a matter for Bus Éireann as there is no competing regular commuter service available to commuters on that route. Other parts of Meath have a regular private bus service that competes with Bus Éireann. The people who are...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Public Transport (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Tá mé buíoch don Leas-Chathaoirleach as an ábhar seo, maidir le seirbhísí busanna i gContae na Mí agus thart timpeall, a roghnú don díospóireacht ar an Athló. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. In recent months, I have noticed many problems with bus services, especially in the commuter belt of County Meath. I...

Seanad: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Statements (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On the speaking order, I am reminded of a call I made previously for the abolition of the second group of Independents in this House. It is an issue which I intend to raise on the Order of Business. It makes a laughing stock of the Seanad that we have two separate groups of Independents and when one of them does not turn up the speaking arrangements for the day are upset. I wish to raise a...

Seanad: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Statements (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, should the next speaker not be from the Opposition?

Seanad: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Statements (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: In that case would it not be the practice for another member of the Opposition who is offering, such as myself, to be called?

Seanad: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Statements (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: My point is that if there is no Member from one Opposition group present a speaker from another Opposition group should be called.

Seanad: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Statements (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I do not mind but it is worth making the point that the Opposition speakers would follow the Government speakers if the Government-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom cur leis an rún a chuir mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Ó Dómhnaill os comhair an tSeanaid. I second Senator Ó Domhnaill's proposal. I also welcome the farmers outside Leinster House. The contribution of the agriculture and food industries is key to our success. In turn, their success depends on the negotiated CAP outcomes achieved by the Minister,...