Results 8,081-8,100 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: If there were to be a cap on pensions, I would set it lower than €60,000. That figure is meaningless because so few people would be affected by it and the Exchequer would not be affected. Citing the figure makes it look as though everyone is receiving one of these sixty-grand pensions. Averaging is a good way of imposing a cap. Someone who starts off as a junior civil servant and works...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister is agreeing with us.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I do not intend to say a great deal about this section. However, our very brave men and women in uniform are opposed to it and have made representations to and had meetings with the Department in respect of it. Perhaps the Minister might comment on what the representative associations of those to whom I refer have stated about the section.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Does the Minister's reference to discussion with the trade union movement include the Garda Representative Association, PDFORRA and the other associations or were the discussions with SIPTU and other such unions? The GRA is not satisfied with what has been proposed. Its members think it is unfair.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I know. SIPTU has been mentioned a lot but it does not represent gardaí, members of the Defence Forces and prison officers. It might represent fire officers. There are different categories of worker involved. A special case can be made for them that they provide a particular service that forces them to retire early. They feel that a further unfairness is being imposed on them because of...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: As I said on Second Stage, this provision is unnecessary. It pre-empts the outcome of negotiations with public sector unions in regard to the Croke Park agreement. It is putting the gun to the head of the negotiators in that agreement. It is clearly signalling the Government's intentions by putting into primary legislation a possible outcome of those negotiations. Leaving this unnecessary...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The first broken promise.

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Opposition offered that all Stages of the Bill could be taken today in an effort to be helpful and to allow the Department of Health to reach its budget targets. It will not be the fault of the Minister of State, from what we hear in the Department, but this summer the HSE is facing a raft of costs. For once, even the Government will not be able to blame the IMF or Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We will not delve too far into the backgrounds of a number of Government Senators, who were in various parties over the past ten years. It is a legacy issue and we all have legacy issues. A false Estimate was put forward by the Minister for Health in respect of the HSE at the beginning of the year. Substantial savings were promised in respect of this Bill, which was first promised last...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is either that or close wards.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We have been waiting for a year for this legislation. It is costing the State €100 million and we will have ward closures.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Wards and emergency units will be closing.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Government will then blame the IMF for the cuts coming next month.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is for the greater good today.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Government Senators will not be glad when the cuts come down the tracks in approximately three weeks.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The cuts are coming and the Government need not blame the IMF.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The family has asked for the hospital to be re-opened.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Leader should get the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, into the House to explain his promises to the electorate.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to raise two brief points before coming to the main point. I welcome yesterday's report on the pyrite issue. Obviously much work must be done on the issue. The people in the commuter belt in County Meath and in surrounding counties will have a little more patience on the issue but not much more. Yesterday's report is an indication of some progress. I am meeting many residents next...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Thomas Byrne: When Deputy Martin was Minister for Health and Children the current Minister was negotiating lucrative contracts for well-paid consultants and doctors.