Results 1,561-1,580 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I am more than happy to answer as many of the questions as I can. Deputy Brady asked about Catalonia. It is a matter for the people of Spain and the people of Catalonia as to how their affairs are dealt with, in accordance with the rule of law. It is a matter for the European Parliament to make decisions regarding the application of its parliamentary privileges and immunities. It is up to...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: Hopefully, the Deputy will give me the opportunity to answer quite a few questions that have been raised in respect of the general issues he has raised. Before Christmas, Deputy O'Donoghue was anti-vaccines. Now he is telling us that we should be going to Russia-----
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: In regard to what Deputy O'Donoghue said about Ireland not being mentioned in the conclusions - or minutes, as the Deputy calls them - of the European Council, he should look back at all the conclusions of previous Council meetings and all the records of discussions at the General Affairs Council and in the European Parliament, particularly since Brexit. I honestly think he will find that no...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: The difficulty is that I have been asked to mention Turkey and Russia in my wrap-up. I want to get through some of the questions now, if I can. In regard to new variants, which were mentioned as a cause for concern, there is a great deal of work under way in the European Union on that issue. The EU's early warning and rapid response system is providing some data on the circulation of...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I can answer the Deputy on this point.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I can answer the Deputy on the issue of the digital green certificate.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: They are not hotels but it involves home quarantining.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: If I may, I am in the hands of the Acting Chairman and those of the Members. Sometimes at this point, I answer the questions that have been raised already. However, if Members wish to ask questions now, I am happy to do it either way.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I can answer more at the end. If the Acting Chairman wants me to go through the points that have been raised, I am more than happy to do that.
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: We are in favour of it.
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: For anybody to come into the House and accuse anyone, particularly someone born and reared in Drogheda, of being comparable to Cromwell is outrageous.
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: He is revered in Britain. He is certainly not revered in Drogheda and east Meath.
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: My line of Byrnes were moved from Wicklow to Mayo because of Cromwell. What the Deputy said is outrageous.
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: My role here is not necessarily to answer questions, but I am happy to do that. The Taoiseach has asked me to speak on certain points. It is traditional that after the European Council meeting I come here to answer questions, but I am happy to clarify some issues. We spoke on a number of issues at the General Affairs Council this week, including, for example, the digital green...
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: We spoke in favour of the digital green certificate at the General Affairs Council this week. The Taoiseach will do so tomorrow. On Monday, I met European Commissioner Didier Reynders, who is in charge of this area, to discuss how it is proposed to advance this proposal. It is an important proposal. The Taoiseach wants to make sure we can do all of the work that is necessary on the...
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: Of course it is about freedom of movement, but that is the position as we currently stand. We are not encouraging any international travel at the moment. Like the Deputy, I represent an airport constituency. I want to see my aviation constituents back in work. I want to see people being able to travel again when it is safe and to have that freedom of movement. I care, and the Government...
- Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)
Thomas Byrne: The Deputy also does not have a monopoly on the freedoms we all desire. That clears up that issue. On the Istanbul Convention, which was helpfully raised by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Deputy Barry, again, we have issued a strong statement on that matter through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney. Also, at the General Affairs Council this week it was raised under any...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Qualifications Recognition (19 Feb 2021)
Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú ag tús imeachtaí an tSeanaid. North-South co-operation, as we all agree, is an integral part of the Good Friday Agreement and a priority for the Government. It is protected under the protocol on Ireland-Northern Ireland. The...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Qualifications Recognition (19 Feb 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I have taken strong note of what the Senator has said on what is a really important issue. There are huge challenges for citizens across a number of sectors, North and South, with regard to the all-island economy. We all agree that those problems caused by Brexit require solutions. We have solutions to some problems, such as the CTA, and we have a trade agreement with Britain which...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Feb 2021)
Thomas Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus go raibh maith agaibh, a Sheanadóirí, as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid inniu. Tá áthas orm freagra a thabhairt in ionad an Aire Oideachais atá gnóthach faoi láthair agus gabhann sí a leithscéal. Bhí mé ag caint léi roinnt noiméad ó shin....