Results 9,161-9,180 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: What is Senator Sheahan talking about?

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: For such an important debate, I feel there are insufficient Members on the Government side, especially as the Government wants to rush the Bill through. I suggest a quorum of Members be present.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We are discussing a very important Bill. I accept that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, cannot be here. In his absence I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. However, it would be appropriate to have more Members in the Chamber for the debate. Therefore, I call for a quorum.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I have no issue with these amendments. However, it is interesting that one of them refers to the Irish language version of the Minister's title.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: On that general point, we want the Bill to be passed and the Minister to have the powers accorded therein. I have made numerous complaints on the Order of Business and in the media about this issue, that the Minister for public expenditure and reform who essentially controls the deficit has no statutory powers and that it is very important that this Bill is passed. On a practical basis,...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I spoke to the amendment, the section and the Bill and I am quite entitled to so do. I do not accept Senator Ivana Bacik's response that our amendments do not go to the heart of the Bill, as one can propose any amendment one likes to a Bill. Moreover, I do not accept that this has something to do with the President leaving the country because my understanding is that the Cathaoirleach,...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Especially as Fianna Fáil intends to support the Bill.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I have no questions.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Do Irish-speaking members of the public not have a right to receive the Irish language version of the Bill? It is not just a question of law or adhering to the Official Languages Act, it is also a question of adhering to the Constitution and the fundamental law and culture of the State. My understanding is that this happened only once during the term of the previous Government and in that...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Ní ghlacaim leis go bhfuil an Bille seo ró-mhór nach féidir aistriúchán Gaeilge a dhéanamh air. Is Bille an-bheag é an Bille seo. Is féidir leis an Roinn an cáinaisnéis agus na Billí Airgeadais a fhoilsiú i nGaeilge, ach ní féidir Bille de 40 leathnach a aistriú. D'fhéadfainn é a dhéanamh, agus b'fhéidir gur ndéanfadh an Seanadóir Uí Catháin é freisin. B'fhéidir...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We will not let it happen.

Seanad: Rail Network (28 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I praised Ministers for attending the Seanad to debate various Adjournment matters and I hope they will continue to do so, but they may be busy tonight. While I am delighted that the Minister of State is present, I hope Ministers will not forget about or get bored with appearing in the Seanad. The Navan rail line is an important infrastructural issue, not only for Navan town or County Meath,...

Seanad: Rail Network (28 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That was a disappointing reply. The Minister of State refused to make any commitment on the Navan rail line. He points out that, while consultation with various bodies is under way, there is none with the area's public or elected officials. I urge the Minister of State to plead with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to meet his colleagues. Four of the county's Deputies are in Fine Gael and...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: On the matter of the schedule of business for this week and in particular with regard to the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, I am not opposed to the use of the guillotine as it is a reasonable option for a Government to take although others have differing views. I am not stating this is my party's view. However, the way the business of the House has been scheduled for this week,...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Enda Kenny announced it.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Call Deputy Flanagan into the House.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I wish the Minister well in her job. It is the second or third most important job in government, in spite of comments made at the time she was appointed, as it controls about 40% of the budget. We are supporting the broad thrust of her actions in this Bill. At the time the minimum wage was reduced, I said in the Dáil that if it did not produce the jobs, then it should be changed. I agree...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I have been a member of the social protection committee since 2007, and I know they do a great job. There has to be some consistency to this, because it is bad for the social welfare system. The rumours and stories that go around, particularly if one lives near an area with many refugees, are due to the discretion available and the different practices used. Another issue which is slightly...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I join my colleagues in congratulating the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, on implementing a budget decision of the late Deputy Brian Lenihan to impose a cap on Civil Service and semi-State pay. I am disappointed he has not gone further but it is important to acknowledge the Secretaries General throughout the Civil Service who have taken voluntary pay cuts. They should be an example to...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Sir Humphrey Appleby should give an award for the reply I received.