Results 1,581-1,600 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no difficulty in passing that message on to the Minister. In terms of what was in the Sunday newspapers, I know that talks still continue today. Clearly, I do not know the provenance of what was in the newspapers at the weekend, but it certainly cannot be the final answer because talks continue and that work has not been completed. The Senator attached the sobriquet "young" to me,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí a chur an t-ábhar seo faoinár mbráid ar maidin. Ireland has very long-standing connections with Hong Kong and a strong Irish community there. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been closely monitoring political developments, in particular the implementation of the national security law adopted in June of last year.These...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Senators for their comments. Ireland and the EU are deeply concerned about the situation in Hong Kong and the implementation of national security legislation. Given our engagement with the region and our responsibility to our citizens there, it is correct that we do so. We continue to raise these concerns directly and consistently when engaging with Chinese and Hong Kong...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le baill an choiste as an gcuireadh chun teacht anseo inniu. Tá áthas orm aon eolas atá agam a scaipeadh. This is my first appearance before the committee since the trade and co-operation agreement was reached between the EU and the UK. I will first speak briefly speak on that before I talk about the issue of the protocol,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: That is probably a better approach. Deputy Calleary has asked some very important and fundamental questions on various aspects of this. On the question of Article 16 being triggered, while we might not be as shocked now two weeks on, the reaction Deputy Calleary shows today is similar to the Government's reaction on the day, namely, one of complete shock and surprise. It is absolutely the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: My apologies. The Chairman should have cut me off.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no problem answering that. The President of the Commission herself has taken full political responsibility for this, and I think that is where accountability lies. Again, I am not running away from the question because I am as concerned as the Deputy. However, I cannot answer for the Commission. It is accountable to the European Parliament and the parliamentarians plan to question...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: That first question about the damage caused by this and whether it is fully appreciated is quite useful. That is a point I have been making. Many people said yes, put up their hands and said that a mistake was made and that it has been acknowledged. Some people said we should move on but obviously we cannot move on when we see the particular situation on the ground in Northern Ireland. As...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Senator McDowell raised important questions and some of them can be answered relatively straightforwardly. It is a bilateral agreement between Britain and the European Union. However, we are fully part of the implementation committees, the joint committee and the special committee, on the protocol. Added to that, there is ongoing, significant contact, not only between Ireland and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Clearly that did not happen on this occasion and we simply cannot afford for it to happen again. The Senator's engagement here and the making of these extremely strong points will be heard in Brussels and, indeed, in European capitals and will help to have a significant impact on future decision-making.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The North-South meeting which took place was one of the formal structures on waterways. The North-South bodies are limited anyway, and we would like for there to be more of them. It is important, however, to note that meeting did happen. I share fully the Deputy's concerns regarding North-South relations. It is important to keep everything on an even keel in that respect. This situation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: There is a hugely changed political situation in Northern Ireland, and we see from opinion polling that it is changing all the time. There are many nuances of opinion; it is not one side versus the other. I think we can all agree now that there are significant nuances and a broad range of the public there who want to live decent lives, have prosperity and be able to move around the place....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: An important point, which has been mentioned, is that despite what occurred, which was a major mistake, the European Union and member states have shown extraordinary solidarity with Ireland over recent years. While there was a spectacular mistake two weeks ago, it is important to remember that there has been solidarity. Owing to the engagements we all have with our European colleagues, they...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputy Howlin. The Government has put significant time and resources into Brexit preparations. Overall, it has been well managed. We have not had the physical manifestation of delays in the form of traffic but I acknowledge that there are other delays. We will never get to 100% of traffic going through green light channels. That is just not possible. The Single Market was built...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: We were all aware of possible problems with the land bridge. Internally, I challenged the view that the market would respond. It has responded so far, which is welcome. Any shipping company which has provided more routes has seen significant amounts to transport. When we talk about one in five, the vast majority of checks are documentary. The stops involve paperwork. Much of that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The simple answer to the first question on whether the systems are in place to address all these issues is "Yes". They are there in a formal sense within the withdrawal agreement, the trade and co-operation agreement and the protocol. The Irish Government is fully part of that. Despite the fact that it is directly between the EU and Britain, we are fully involved. Those systems were not...

An Bille um an Seachtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cearta Geilleagracha, Comhdhaonnacha agus Cultúir), 2018: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Jan 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas do gach duine a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo, go háirithe an Teachta Pringle a chur an reachtaíocht seo os ár gcomhair inniu. This is a really important issue. I do not disagree with Deputy Pringle on its importance. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, has set out the ways that we can monitor Ireland's implementation...

An Bille um an Seachtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cearta Geilleagracha, Comhdhaonnacha agus Cultúir), 2018: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Jan 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Our inequality levels have reduced thanks to the progressive policies of previous Fianna Fáil Governments. I am glad to see our influence on this Government. We have moved mountains in seeking to help and support the most vulnerable in society. Health expenditure has amounted to €19.8 billion, including additional funding of €2.5 billion to maximise capacity in the...