Results 9,801-9,820 of 9,832 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

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

Thomas Byrne: I wrote this script. I practise in this area.

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

Thomas Byrne: I am astounded that I am in general agreement with Deputy Varadkar's comments last night and I commend him for his honesty on this issue and on a number of his proposals. We often disagree on various issues but some of his comments made sense. I also read the European case law to which Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred in his contribution on the Internet earlier and I cannot for the life...

Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to share time with Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to debate this important Bill and I will speak in English, if that is okay. I went through the Law Society's two Irish examinations, one of which was preliminary and the other advanced. In both, I wrote a half-page essay on my summer's holidays and translated a half-page from Fiche Bliain ag Fás, one of ten passages repeatedly used in the examinations. The Law Society's Irish...

Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Yes. It is important to promote the language at all levels of society. Several Members have mentioned the Gaelscoileanna because in non-Gaeltacht areas they are the future of the language. In my constituency there is also Baile Ghib, a small Gaeltacht community where several people are committed to the language. They do not have much choice among the solicitors in the county if they want...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I propose to share time with Deputies Michael McGrath and Cyprian Brady, with the permission of the House. Tá an-áthas orm labhairt anseo ar son na cáinfhaisnéise a chur an Tánaiste le chéile inné. Tá cruth maith ar an ngeilleagar a bhfuil again inniu in Éirinn. Níl an geilleagear ag fás chomh tapaidh is a bhí sé cheana ach tá sé fós ag fás, agus go tapaidh má dhéantar...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I shall just speak briefly on this. I have worked as solicitor — not in Walkinstown, I should say. In the relatively small number of commercial transactions I have been involved in, an inordinate amount of time was spent on VAT on property. It raises costs and wastes too much time. Although not specifically mentioned in the Budget Statement, the proposed new regime that will be in the...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Listening to the sneering and slagging from the Opposition, is it any wonder the creators of jobs in this country did not support them in the general election? They have no new ideas or fresh thinking. They have no approach to this issue except sneering and slagging. My next point on opposing infrastructural projects such as roads may apply more to the Labour Party than to Fine Gael....

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I am a new Deputy and I will take the Acting Chairman's guidance. I wish to acknowledge the companies in my constituency that provide jobs. By and large they are small and medium enterprises established by local people who took a risk with the support of a competitive environment and a supporting Government. Deputy Nolan mentioned the intervention of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and...

Despatch of Defence Forces Personnel: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Thomas Byrne: An extremely important humanitarian issue exists in the Chad, Darfur and general region of central Africa. This mission is in response to a terrible situation with 230,000 refugees from Darfur in Chad. The international community has been criticised for a lack of action in this regard. I am glad to see some action in the form of this undertaking. The refugees continue to flee into eastern...

Irish Language: Statements (8 Nov 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Ba mhaith liom labhairt go háirithe mar gheall ar an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht i mo dháilcheantar fhéin. Measaim go bhfuil an Ghaeilge láidir go leor sa Mhí Thoir. Tá ceantar Gaeltachta againn i mBaile Ghib. Nuair a bhreathnaímid ar an dtuarascáil, is léir gur Ghaeltacht sa ghrád C is ea Baile Ghib — tá an dealramh ar an scéal gur Ghaeltacht lag atá i gceist. Tá sé sin...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 405: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to develop a new building or extension at a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if the educational provision for students in the area will be assessed. [27297/07]

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2007)

Thomas Byrne: As a former solicitor for eight years, until the general election relieved me of my duties, I practised a large amount of conveyancing and I am glad to see the reforms that are being introduced in the Bill before the House. The legislation is a comprehensive reform of the land and conveyancing law with which solicitors and purchasers must deal when buying houses, mortgaging properties or...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (31 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 336: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the disability allowance awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement with regard to the payment of disability allowance to Irish citizens who are involuntarily moved to residential care in Northern Ireland. [26113/07]

Financial Services Regulation. (25 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: I am not here to comment on any particular case before the courts as regards solicitors' undertakings and what essentially are allegations of fraud, particularly by solicitors who are namesakes of mine. What is being heard on a daily basis is devastating for the solicitors' profession and public confidence. I have often said that the genuine and rare mistakes of solicitors could be accepted...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (23 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 459: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will assess the transport needs of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if the current parameters for free transport in east Meath will be re-examined. [24878/07]

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (18 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 221: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the visa application of a person (details supplied). [24579/07]

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (16 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 283: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people availing of the National Treatment Purchase Fund from County Meath since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24065/07]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (16 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 284: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people availing of general practitioner visit cards from County Meath since their inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24066/07]

Written Answers — Irish Illegal Emigrants: Irish Illegal Emigrants (16 Oct 2007)

Thomas Byrne: Question 321: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in relation to reform in US immigrant legislation; and the action being taken to address the concerns of undocumented Irish citizens in the US. [23888/07]