Results 8,221-8,240 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: As there are two Independent groupings, it is difficult to table matters on Private Member's business.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to raise the issue of the treaty referendum as I am greatly concerned by how the Government parties in particular are dealing with it. The Seanad must hold further discussions on the referendum in respect of the debate that is under way. There is a lack of information and the old adage, which I will not repeat, in respect of not knowing may well apply to some people. I note some...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: He was. However, he is doing this in the best interests of our country and it is about time-----

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: He is not doing this for Fine Gael but is doing it for Ireland. It is about time each member of the Cabinet did the same and put aside their party political views for the duration of this campaign to do what is in the best interests of Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Members were not meant to know the details.

Seanad: School Enrolments (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for attending. I raise a very important issue concerning which I am not sure the Department is fully apprised. The balanced patronage of our schools is a topical issue and was discussed in some detail in the Seanad yesterday. It is also an emotive issue. Equally important is the right of all parents to send their children to a school of their choice. As...

Seanad: School Enrolments (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State has thrown a spanner in the works as regards the situation in Ashbourne. His response will probably cause fear in Ashbourne. At least seven streams of junior infants classes are required and the Minister of State says that at least two will be provided in schools with a multi-denominational ethos. People had understood there were at least two streams in one of the...

Seanad: School Enrolments (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am not convinced that the research has been done to make that absolutely certain. I attended a meeting of 120 parents and most of them did not have a place for their child for this September. We were informed by the representative of Educate Together who is doing great work and who also attended the meeting that they had allocated 30 places and they expected to open another classroom. My...

Seanad: School Enrolments (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State should not forget the second issue, that of patronage, which is very important for many parents.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am tempted to give up when I hear the Constitution invoked on a Fianna Fáil Private Members' Bill. The Constitution has been invoked as a reason not to accept every Bill ever introduced in this House by Fianna Fáil. It is about time that stopped. This Bill has been drafted in light, in particular, of the reference to the Supreme Court and the Employment Equality Bill in Article 26 of...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I was not born.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The family law legislation was a Private Members' Bill.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Let us abolish the Seanad if we are just going to have conversations or-----

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Thomas Byrne: There are gaelscoileanna that are multidenominational.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (30 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: They should have voted some of our amendments through.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Motion for Earlier Signature (30 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It should be noted -----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Motion for Earlier Signature (30 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Cathaoirleach has a lack of experience with the Council of State and we wish him all the best in his functions. It is important to note that the Constitution provides that the President may decide to sign the Bill earlier. Should the vote be carried, the Cathaoirleach can exercise his discretion this evening.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: There is no obligation on them to so do.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: As I understand it, while they are obliged to consider alternatives, they are not obliged to put them into place.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I have listed the flaws in the legislation. I would be grateful if someone more learned than I could find the definition of "mortgage". In the Consumer Credit Act it is defined as a housing loan, and a mortgage is just a document one signs. Perhaps it is somewhere in the social welfare legislation. Mortgage interest is defined but are the terms "mortgage" and "mortgage repayment...