Results 8,861-8,880 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Hospital Services (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, said last year that a serious loss of life would happen in north Dublin hospitals. The Labour Party and Fine Gael promised to retain services. They said they would do it even though they knew what this country's financial situation was at the time. As I said, the amount of tax that is coming in is greater than that expected at the time of the budget. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I will make one point about the earlier discussion, namely, I believe it is a retrograde step that the Cathaoirleach obtains legal advice in anticipation of matters that may be discussed in the Seanad. That is an attack on our rights as Senators, on the right of freedom of speech and on the right to represent the people who voted for us and those who-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Anticipating what we might say and obtaining legal advice is not right and is the wrong road to take. We are allowed to raise issues of public importance to the State and the taxpayer. Will the Leader inquire of the Minister for Justice and Equality when the legal services Bill will be published? It was promised a week ago but, since then, apparently, a Labour Party document has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That is a fact regarding the PIAB legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We did not. That legislation was an attack on vested interests.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The question is that we should have a full debate on the legal services Bill before it comes to the House on Second Stage so we can tease out all of the issues. This is very important in terms of consumers but also in terms of international reputation. Third, I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise a matter on the Adjournment concerning Blanchardstown hospital because some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Surely, as the Government is proposing this, Government Members should be able to get out and sell it. That is what Government is about.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for permitting me to raise this matter. I thank him also for allowing me to raise the issue I raised yesterday. I understand he had to apply some pressure to get the appropriate Minister here. We do not have any problem with Deputy Noonan, as he has always made himself available to the Seanad. I am sure the Minister will not take what I say as an attack on the...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: An international banker is examining NAMA and I urge the Minister to get him or her to consider this issue. Not only are these builders and developers in negative equity, they will be in positive equity if they exceed a certain point. The negative and positive is a mathematical impossibility but the Irish taxpayer will pay for it. The Minister is proposing that a developer will get a bonus...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We accept that.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It is within the power of the Minister to issue guidelines.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I am not giving out to the Minister but I want to make the point that it is within his power to give guidelines and instructions to NAMA in certain cases. I urge him to examine this to see if he can find a way to do it.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We never envisaged that.

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and very comprehensively answering questions. I also thank him for continuing the banking policy of the late Brian Lenihan. We certainly support him in these endeavours.

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: With regard to credit unions, a small handful of credit unions will be affected by the measure being introduced. When the regulator goes about the job, I do not want to see Deputies and Senators complaining about the regulator and arguing that a particular credit union had been doing a great job. We need to support and uphold the independent regulator and wish it well in its work. Too...

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I remind Senator Bacik that this is a very important point because it is a rip-off of workers and of pensioners. Instead of creating jobs, the pension levy is being used to improve the Exchequer figures by approximately €200 million in 2011. This is an unfair imposition on pensioners. The Tara mines pensioners in my own constituency have received a 10% cut in their pensions as a result.

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It is because of the levy.

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the same scenario with regard to airport workers in the debate on the Finance (No.2) Bill. It is because of the levy. It is because of the way their pension scheme is structured and Senator O'Brien raised this issue with regard to another company at the time the legislation was being debated.

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: About €200 million from the jobs initiative, money from the pension levy, is not being used for job creation. This money is just being used to make things look better and to make the budget options easier. Workers and pensioners are being ripped off.

Seanad: Statements on Finance (6 Oct 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That is why we appointed him.