Results 8,941-8,960 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Supreme Court found it unconstitutional to make adverse findings of fact. I am wondering why we are not allowing for the Oireachtas to make adverse findings of fact. Could somebody make the argument that a finding of fact does not mean an adverse finding of fact? That is significant and I would like to know the advice given. I am not making a case or claim but the issue occurs to me...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We must reflect the frustration of the people at times. There is no doubt that when unemployment is so high and our problems have been caused by so few, that is entirely understandable. If we sit in judgment of individuals we will enter a different scenario. These are the small issues I have. I have not had the opportunity to read the Bill because of a lack of time.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I accept that. We are all on the one side and there should be a more thoughtful processing of legislation.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We must be very careful in this regard. There will be significant responsibilities and burdens on Members in investigating people. The text of the constitutional amendment does not seem to exclude the possibility of making criminal findings against individuals, where we can argue that somebody is guilty of a crime. I am not sure that would be a role for the Oireachtas but it is not...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I do not know how a future Supreme Court will interpret this provision if it is litigated upon. If amendments are proposed by Senator Mullen and rejected by the Seanad, there may well be a negative impact in the interpretation of the Supreme Court.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It may be. There is a range of issues to consider with the legislation and we are rushing it slightly. I thank the Minister for attending the Seanad.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That is the point. We do not have the time.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It was guillotined.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of information, that was because all Stages of the Bill were put on today, so there was no opportunity for anyone to put forward amendments after reviewing Second Stage.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It gives the lie to the notion-----

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It is the programme for Government.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We will see that in practice.

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Certain Government Senators were disquieted by my quorum call. We will continue to call quorums until the Government adheres to its commitment in the programme for Government to deal with the problem of legislation being shunted through at high speed and to ensure that Standing Orders provide a minimum of two weeks between each Stage of a Bill except in exceptional circumstances....

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We did not borrow for it.

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Taoiseach should be told to telephone Angela Merkel; he has not done so.

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That was the Labour Party's policy before the election.

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Contrary to what the Minister of State says, this Bill has not been introduced at short notice; we had to wait a couple of months for it. There are no explanatory memoranda with it, which is a new departure. While it is crucial we read the exact text of Bills, the explanatory memoranda are a help to legislators to give them an overview. We are indebted to the Oireachtas Library and...

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State is making a serious contribution to the debate and on that basis, and also that all Stages are being held on the same day, a quorum should be called. Notice taken that 12 Members were not present; House counted and 12 Members being present,

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome all the tourists and golfers who will visit County Meath this weekend for the Solheim Cup, which is a major boost for the country, the county, ladies' golf and ladies' sport in general. They are very welcome, as is the financial boost the competition will bring. I would like the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to investigate the terms "constitutional" and "unconstitutional"....

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It is not appropriate that every time a piece of legislation is introduced by the Opposition, Senators and Ministers say, "Sorry, but it is unconstitutional". They do not know whether it is unconstitutional. Very often when such statements are made, no arguments, case law or precedents are put forward. They are simply used to rubbish legislation proposed by the Opposition. If the...