Results 1,881-1,900 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is not an Oxford comma.

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. Like Senator Kyne, I compliment him on the work he has done since taking up his brief. In particular, I compliment him on listening to the voices of the farming community and visiting the marts around the country. The latter was a useful exercise. Farmers are front-line workers in the battle against climate change. What farmers are looking for...

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Senator Mullen has been known for flogging several dead horses over the years. Maybe in this debate that was not a surprise.

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The Minister knows that peat has been an ongoing hot topic. I would argue that our horticulture sector is perhaps one of the greenest sectors in agriculture. Those in involved in horticulture and mushroom growing want to ensure that everything they do is done in a green and environmentally sustainable way. They want to make sure that their produce is green and branded as such. Now that we...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regulatory Bodies (20 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming in to take this matter. It is one that is of personal interest to him. As far as the consumer is concerned, there is very limited, and in some sectors no real competition, in banking, insurance and financial services in Ireland. The Minister of State will also be aware that there has been criticism among fintech companies about the approach the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regulatory Bodies (20 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with the Minister of State that consumers are voting with their wallets, so to speak, and moving on to new products such as Revolut and N26. They are moving into new areas of fintech. If he talks to any of the fintech companies, he will find that they do not feel that they are getting a level playing field from the Central Bank. The Central Bank obviously has to protect the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: This Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of when, on 22 January 1972, the accession treaty for Ireland to join the then European Economic Community, EEC, was signed by Taoiseach Jack Lynch and Minister for Foreign Affairs Patrick Hillery. They built on the work of Seán Lemass and others who very clearly argued that Ireland's future rightly lay in Europe. In May of that year, 83% of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to speak to this matter. He might recall we discussed it in September 2020, when I raised concerns around the capacity of the office of the Data Protection Commissioner, its resourcing and its powers in being able to deal with some of the challenges it continues to face. First, I compliment the staff of the Data Protection Commissioner,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the fact that there are discussions around a move towards three commissioners. I am certainly interested in hearing the Minister of State's personal view on whether this will happen, and happen quickly. In terms of addressing some of the concerns, including those raised by the DPC around its functioning, this may be a step forward. If the Minister of State cannot give a direct...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Like others, I extend my sympathies to the family, friends, partner and school community of the late Ashling Murphy. Her death has started a number of discussions. I occasionally run and never think about my personal safety as a man, but for women it is an issue of concern. Having spoken to women runners I know it has always been an issue. Even at our local park run on Saturday it was...

Seanad: The Impact of Covid-19 on Primary and Secondary Education: Motion (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: First, I compliment the work of my Wexford colleague, Deputy Kehoe, and the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. I also compliment the Minister on her work in this area. In the context of online bullying, while I welcome the new strategy with regard to bullying, a lot of our concern is not so much about the bullying that takes place...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: EU Digital Services Package and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill: Discussion (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Ms Quill and Mr. Shanley for their work on the OSMR Bill. It has been a difficult process and there has been much debate on it. I am certainly happy that the Minister has taken on board many of this committee's recommendations from our report. I would like to focus on two key issues that the witnesses may be able to respond to. One is the timeframe linking the Bill and the...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: EU Digital Services Package and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill: Discussion (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Crucially for us , given that we are establishing a media commission that is going to deal with many of these issues anyway, does it not make sense that to leave it to the commission rather than looking at setting up an entirely new agency? My question related to the scale of the operation, particularly given the companies that are based in Ireland for which this regulator will have...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: EU Digital Services Package and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill: Discussion (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I have a quick question for Ms Quill. I appreciate the Minister said this expert group on the individual complaints mechanism will report back within 90 days. When will that 90 days start? When will we see that expert group appointed. Second, and I am not asking for members to be named, but what type of person is envisaged and where will the membership of that group be drawn from?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: EU Digital Services Package and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill: Discussion (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I suggest the group engages with the Australian e-safety commissioner. Our committee is very favourable to the model operating there. It is something that would be useful for that group to explore.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Senator Boyhan for his Churchillian oration. This is a matter I raised on Second Stage with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. It applies very specifically to this legislation, but it is the general principle of the exclusion of councillors from certain State boards. The case I made then, and to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, on Committee Stage, is that it is not about a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo Senator Joe O'Reilly's concerns about Belarus and the deteriorating situation there. Ireland has taken a strong position, which I urge be continued. This situation shows that we need to appreciate how fortunate we are to live in a free and democratic country such as ours. I am always struck by the Christmas story, which is a story of refugees seeking freedom from oppression....

Seanad: Live Industry Supports: Statements (16 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I certainly echo many of the comments of my colleagues and particularly those so eloquently expressed by Senator Black. All of us in the Chamber look forward to a day when we can debate arts and culture policy without the impact of Covid-19. The Minister and her Government have had achievements, including increasing Arts Council funding to €130...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I endorse the remarks of my colleague, Senator Warfield, in response to comments made by Senator Keogan last week. I happen to know the work that BeLonG To, ShoutOut, Transgender Equality Network Ireland, TENI, and the INTO LGBT+ Teachers Group happen to do. They provide confidence to young people when they are often at a particularly vulnerable stage in their lives. Their motivation is...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am always conscious the Minister of State tends to come into this Chamber to wrap up every session, but is appropriate to pay tribute to her work. She is passionate about what she does and the fruits of her labour are now being seen. I will follow on from Senators Gavan and Conway. I have been raising this issue around international student health insurance and had a Commencement matter...