Results 9,781-9,800 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: As a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, I am delighted to contribute to the debate. We are always concerned when the Executive has too much say in making regulations but while section 127 provides the Minister with extensive powers to make regulations, he or she must have regard to 11 detailed qualifying conditions, including a foreign national's...

Agency Workers: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: The biblical admonition that labour deserves its wages is one of the most ethical and moral precepts in existence. Over time, this simple but effective principle has led societies throughout most of the world to develop laws to protect workers' rights. The process began with the abolition of slavery and continued with the introduction of the minimum wage in America by President Franklin D....

Agency Workers: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Deputy Naughten referred to the HSE, which uses large numbers of agency workers. Many nurses and medical staff are happy to engage in agency work, particularly because such work offers them, at least for a period, some level of flexibility. However, agency work is costing the HSE a great deal of money and it would do well to examine how cost savings might be made in this area. It could...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to be here to welcome the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill. When one considers the figure of €17 billion involved in social welfare, it amounts to approximately €50 million per day including Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. By any standards, that is a significant redistribution of wealth from the haves to the have nots. That is to be welcomed and I call on everybody here...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (12 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the provisions being afforded to cystic fibrosis patients; and the plans to improve care for sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4580/08]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (12 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 540: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the application for residency by a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be dealt with. [4579/08]

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (12 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 643: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans with regard to the transmission assets of ESB; and if there are Government plans for the privatisation of ESB or EirGrid. [4480/08]

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the Finance Bill introduced by the Minister and I welcome the Minister of State from Cork East. He may give a different picture of Cork East later in the debate. This is the fourth Finance Bill introduced by the Minister, Deputy Cowen, and it demonstrates the consistent policy of the Government to make the tax system simpler, fairer and effective in lessening the burden on lower...

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Solicitors often rang accountants for the answer and finally went to the Revenue Commissioners.

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: It is not acceptable for highly paid professionals routinely to rely on opinions from the Revenue Commissioners. They may need to do so in respect of a complicated transaction but anything that simplifies that process is welcome. I have a bone to pick with the Minister because I bought a car recently and am affected by the proposal on vehicle registration tax, VRT, which is not to take...

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: They understand the times are no longer as heady as heretofore. However, growth rates are still high.

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Members should always talk up the economy.

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: There are good reasons for talking it up.

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Members have good reasons for talking up the economy, both in recent years and this year. There is talk in the United States of recession, which is defined as being two quarters of negative growth. This year, Ireland will achieve rates of growth of which the United States would be highly jealous. One must acknowledge this point. There is cause for concern and some people from my...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (30 Jan 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 600: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to have the case surrounding the death of a person (details supplied) investigated further. [2213/08]

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (30 Jan 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 1372: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in relation to a development by Meath County Council (details supplied), his Department was consulted by the said council in relation to any archaeological investigations on the said site; the extent of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2039/08]

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (30 Jan 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 1373: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in relation to a development by Meath County Council (details supplied), his Department issued a licence to carry out archaeological digs; when such a licence was issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2040/08]

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (30 Jan 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 1374: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in relation to a development by Meath County Council (details supplied), his Departments attention was drawn to the extent of the archaeological dig carried out; the results thereof and the costs thereof as known to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2041/08]

Written Answers — Archaeological Sites: Archaeological Sites (30 Jan 2008)

Thomas Byrne: Question 1375: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in relation to a development by Meath County Council (details supplied), his Department proposes to repay to Meath County Council the costs of the archaeological dig carried out thereon by way of grant-in-aid or other central Exchequer funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2042/08]

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I generally agree with Deputy Calleary's comments on pharmacists and I take issue with the HSE's approach to negotiations in that regard. I encourage the executive's representatives to use the Shipsey process to best advantage. However, the Bill is not entirely relevant to that process. As Deputy Calleary said in another context, the Bill is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It is...