Results 9,241-9,260 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Last week I raised the issue of nursing homes and in particular the ownership structure of nursing homes. I am not aware if it is a problem in this country but it is a major problem in Great Britain. While the situation in the Rostrevor nursing home was bad enough, imagine what the burden on the State would be had that company or family owned 40 or 50 nursing homes. That issue needs to be...

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The speculation engaged in by Fine Gael and Labour Party Ministers.

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to speak to the motion. It is important to recall its genesis, the genesis of the Hogan tax. We have heard of the Tobin tax and now we have the Hogan tax. Metered water charges are mentioned in all the manifestos of the main political parties. The Labour Party held out for a long time against them, but the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, reversed course from one statement in...

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister is introducing a new tax. That is the point.

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator should be careful what he says. We are nearly at the figure of 100 days. Will the promises be kept?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: By the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Yesterday the Leader suggested that we could discuss a range of issues with the Minister for Finance during our debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011. I am wary of that proposal because the Bill raises a number of important issues which deserve our attention in their own right. I would prefer for the Leader to arrange a separate debate on the economy, the finance portfolio and the EU-IMF...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I second Senator Terry Leyden's motion to amend the Order of Business. I do not wish to join the universal praise for the formation of another group of Independents in the Seanad. The Croke Park agreement was mentioned in the context of duplication in the public and Civil Service. This is more duplication. In the Lower House, Deputies Richard Boyd Barrett and Shane Ross are in the same...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It does not seem to be allowed.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It will further public scorn of the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It will further public scorn of the Seanad and I ask the Independents to consider bridging the gap of their differences and uniting in the interest of the efficiency of proceedings. Cloud computing has been in the news and I am delighted that Senator Quinn has reminded us of the need for good news. Dell has announced jobs in that area. However, a report in the newspaper on Friday suggested...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I did not say that.

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme (2 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, for attending the Chamber to address this Adjournment matter at such short notice. He has an important job to do, one in which, by and large, I and my party will be supporting and encouraging him. This matter, however, I believe is sufficiently serious for him to address. Last week a Minister, as part of a pre-arranged interview...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to raise a number of important issues. Senator Darragh O'Brien's proposed amendment to the Order of Business is extremely important because it would allow the Seanad to discuss, with a Minister, a matter of some significance. I appeal to Labour Party Members and the Independents nominated by the Taoiseach to support the amendment and not just to simply to vote with the Government as...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, it should be noted that the Labour Party and Independent Senators voted against asking the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, to come to the Seanad to discuss the water charge issue.

Seanad: Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, the Minister has failed to outline consultations he has had with his Northern Ireland or British counterpart or with the First Minister or Deputy First Minister.

Seanad: Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That is a crucial aspect of our motion because, as it states, they are interested parties.

Seanad: Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I congratulate Senator Denis O'Donovan on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" where it firstly occurs and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Oireachtas established the Smithwick tribunal as a central part of the confidence-building measures which led to major breakthroughs in relations with key parts of the...

Seanad: Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Other tribunals such as the Bloody Sunday Inquiry set up by the British Government were not curtailed, despite the fact that they cost a great deal, were lengthy and the source of much disquiet in certain quarters. They ultimately were seen to have a beneficial impact on communities and relations in getting answers for people, which is what this tribunal should be about. I urge Members to...

Seanad: Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It was the Minister's own spokesman who briefed the newspapers.