Results 9,741-9,760 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: He was the only Opposition Member who did anything when a genuine crisis occurred in Laytown. Two or three Fianna Fáil public representatives attended every public meeting and accepted our responsibilities on the issue.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I have absolutely no embarrassment about this issue——

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: ——because I have a fantastic relationship with the school.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: We are speaking about a school which is losing 30 or 40 pupils and would prefer to have another teacher, but it is not the crisis the Opposition is making out. Most of the other schools in question are not in my constituency. This school would prefer to hire a teacher to replace the retiring teacher but it is not the end of the world or a crisis and it is unfair of the Opposition to imply...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I will yield to my colleague because I have made the point to my constituents that Fianna Fáil representatives are in touch with their schools as much as any other representative. We speak with them and we know what is going on. We are pressing the case with the Minister. However, this is not necessarily the crisis the Opposition makes it out to be.

Constituency Commission Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Devins. As Deputy Brady has outlined, this report has had a serious effect on the county and the constituencies of Meath East and Meath West. The last review, which people still talk about, was particularly devastating for the people of north Meath when most of the parishes of Kilbeg, Kilmainhamwood, Moynalty, Nobber and...

Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (21 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Tá áthas orm labhairt i bhfabhar an Bhille seo. Measaim gur Bille an-tábhachtach é. Is as oirthear Contae na Mí mé. Tá a lán fadhbanna againn ansin, atá luaite cheana. Tá fadhbanna againn maidir le hiompair poiblí, mar shampla. Tá a lán rudaí ag tarlú sa Dáilcheantar. Ritheann traein ó Dhroichead Átha go Baile Átha Cliath. Stopann an traein ag Port na hInse agus...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I apologise but I am only a new Deputy and I will have leeway for a few years. The defamation law, formerly the law of libel and slander, is old and goes back in the mists of time to the common law. It is appropriate that the Legislature updates it to take account of modern practices and to balance the interests of the media and publishers with the interests of the private citizen and those...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I might talk a little bit about Grangegeeth if I run out of steam on this. One would have a raft of legal cases and could get damages from each one. Section 10 will provide for a general rule, which is a sensible one, that only one cause of action will lie in respect of multiple publication. The Bill allows a person to bring, with the consent of the court, actions in respect of multiple...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to contribute to the debate. I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Gallery of the ladies and gentlemen from the Grangegeeth Fianna Fáil cumann. They are interested in the debate and in the tour of the House and they are welcome.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 547: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for citizenship of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [17914/08]

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (8 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 559: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in relation to a development (details supplied) by Meath County Council, his Department has received a report from the local authority concerning the costs of archaeological excavations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17235/08]

Management Companies (Housing Developments): Motion (8 May 2008)

Thomas Byrne: It is no coincidence Members present represent mainly urban constituencies. Management companies are a problem for new urban areas. I live in a housing estate which comprises more houses than apartments but has a management company. It charges €200 a year to essentially cut the grass and insure common areas. To many this might sound like good value but it is a housing estate where there...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application for a special needs assistant by persons (details supplied) in County Meath for September 2008. [16040/08]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 342: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application for an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if the educational provision for students in the area will be assessed. [16041/08]

e-Government Services: Motion (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: The main problem I have with the Opposition motion is that although it alludes to "some notable successes" in the area of e-Government, it goes on to list only the shortcomings in this area. The reality is that we have had many successes in the area of e-Government. We need only look at the Oireachtas system where Members have access to a fantastic computer database which allows us to deal...

e-Government Services: Motion (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I do not dispute that those thefts took place. The point, however, is what the thief is able to do with the information stored on the processing machine that he or she has stolen. In the case of the theft of the Bank of Ireland laptops, it seems that the thieves were able to access sensitive customer data. I heard the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Cullen, say in an...

e-Government Services: Motion (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Almost everything can be processed on-line apart perhaps from certain complicated cases where one might have to write to the Revenue to plead one's case. I am too young to know whether such pleas would be entertained. It is only right that all this information should be available to the public so that people do not have to come begging their public representative to be the intermediary in...

e-Government Services: Motion (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: That is not to say that we are not always available when people need our assistance. Constituents are always welcome at my clinics. The more, the merrier.

e-Government Services: Motion (29 Apr 2008)

Thomas Byrne: The motor tax on-line system is another efficient service, but more must be done to make people aware of it. There are often queues at my local motor tax office in Duleek in County Meath, as elsewhere in the State. We regularly hear clarion calls from certain quarters for additional local authority staff to process motor tax applications. Where additional staff are needed, they should be...