Results 1,281-1,300 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: On Russia, I will not give a running commentary on military matters; that is not within my expertise. On this so-called annexation of Ukrainian territory, we categorically condemn what Putin announced - that Russia could in any way annex part of the territory of Ukraine. This has no basis whatsoever in law and it does not actually even reflect what the people of those regions want for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: The electoral regulations are going through at present and are under discussion. This matter comes up at the General Affairs Council and is on the agenda this coming month. I will certainly raise that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: From an Irish point of view, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage leads on this and feeds into the European discussion on the issue, but it comes up at the General Affairs Council.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Absolutely, but in terms of the Irish response-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: -----I then discuss it at the General Affairs Council. It was meant to be on the agenda last month but was taken off. As I understand it, it will be on our agenda in Luxembourg this month. I will certainly raise that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Former.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Ms Collins is now the head of the EU-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I will answer. I do not agree with what the Chair said. I will give some reasons.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: It has been said to the Chair but I think this is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: First, we went through Covid so there was definitely less engagement in terms of physically meeting people, but my Romanian counterpart has been in Dublin. We have had a good meeting with her here. We opened the embassy in Ukraine in August of last year before anyone was talking about the war. I met the Moldovan foreign minister in December last year and was very glad to do that. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Again, I will say exactly what we are doing because it is at all levels. The Minister was in Romania and Moldova and we have engaged very heavily with them. For example, my predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, did a tour of the western Balkans, as I did. Next week, I will sit down with the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama. We have different formats at European level. For...

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (29 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Tá áthas agus bród orm labhairt sa Dáil inniu i bhfabhar agus ar son cháinaisnéis 2023. Tá sé cothrom agus cuireadh le chéile í ar son leasa an phobail. This budget enhances Ireland's reputation for looking after our most vulnerable, for promoting income equality and for encouraging enterprise and job creation. This is a budget that...

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (29 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Táim ag labhairt ar mo shon féin agus ar son an Rialtais agus mo pháirtí féin.

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (29 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: The €4.1 billion cost-of-living package recognises the challenges that families, workers, businesses and young people face. As a Fianna Fáil Minister in a coalition Government, I am delighted to be supporting this budget. I am very proud that the principles of my party have been put forward in this budget by our Ministers, together with those from the other parties. I am very...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Policy (28 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator is right to be excited, interested and encouraged by what is being done in Galway. It is really positive. As he rightly noted, sustainability and the need to decarbonise lie at the heart of transport policy, as set out in commitments under the programme for Government, the national development plan, NDP, the whole-of-government climate action plan and key strategies such as the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Policy (28 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Senator. I will certainly pass his comments on to the Minister. The programme for Government and climate action plan commit the Government to positioning Ireland at the forefront of a wider energy transition and the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation in meeting our climate targets. Against that background and all of the actions we are taking under the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Film Industry (28 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: The Government's commitment to supporting artists and creative people has undergone rapid and immense transformation in recent years due to equally monumental challenges faced by the creative communities. Culture and creativity are and will remain at the heart of Government policy, but our continuing priority is to ensure this creativity is allowed to thrive with the necessary supports. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Film Industry (28 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister, Deputy Martin, for prioritising this. I am also proud to be in a Fianna Fáil Government coalition because we have provided historic support for the arts over many decades. I am glad that continues in coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party, in particular. Historic levels of funding are being provided by the Department. It recognises how united the screen...

Seanad: Impact of Cost of Living Issues on Young People in Ireland: Motion (28 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Clonan as an rún seo a chur os comhair an Tí. This is a very important motion. We have heard heartfelt statements from lived experience, particularly that of Senator Clonan. It is a welcome opportunity to raise these issues; to discuss, as the Seanad does in a reflective way, where we are as a country; to...

Seanad: Impact of Cost of Living Issues on Young People in Ireland: Motion (28 Sep 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Hear, hear.