Results 1,921-1,940 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I congratulate the Minister, his officials and the Oireachtas joint committee on all the work that has been done. The legislation is long awaited. It is really important for our coastal communities. It is important for the protection and achieving the potential of our oceans and seas and for the roll-out of wind energy. It is particularly important, as Senator Casey and I have raised with...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: But if a county manager is to sit on the-----

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Tánaiste for coming before the Seanad to take these statements. I share the concerns of others about the impact of the new measures on the tourism and hospitality sector. In Wexford an estimated 9,700 people are directly employed by the sector. Those who run businesses have made it very clear that they are very appreciative of the supports the Government has put in place...

Seanad: Maternity-Paternity Leave for County and City Councillors: Motion (7 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I commend my colleagues, who are members of a panel with which you are quite familiar, a Chathaoirligh, on bringing forward this proposal. This is a useful debate. This Chamber works in a very collegial way, and having debates on these issues that have cross-party support is an important way of doing business. It speaks to the broader principle of the importance of our getting good people...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: This week the all-Ireland amateur one act drama festival takes place in Ennis and for the amateur drama movement it has been a particularly difficult 18 months, as we might appreciate. Many drama groups were preparing for the full-length drama festival when the pandemic hit. They had to cancel festivals and their plays were never performed. We have now finally seen the one act festival...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Education): Statements (2 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber today. Like everybody else, I am looking forward to the day when she comes into the Chamber to debate leaving certificate reform, school transport changes or the school building programme envisaged under the national development plan. We are all tired of this pandemic but unfortunately we need to continue to deal with it. There is no manual or...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the remarks expressed by Senator Moynihan. It is important that in our battle against one pandemic we do not forget the battle against another pandemic. On World AIDS Day it is important that we remember that the fight against AIDS and HIV is a domestic battle and a global battle. The Deputy Leader will be aware that the Central Statistics Office this week published a report on the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Will there be a need for more by-elections after the match tonight in Tallaght?

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 1: After the third paragraph, to insert the following paragraphs: “- expresses serious concern at the continued abuse of the human rights of the Tibetan people; - notes the erosion of the rule of law and repression of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong;"

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: We have much to learn from the Chinese people, including about their history and their culture. There is a lot that we can learn and there is a lot we can share. I support the development of global, free and fair trade. The EU and Ireland should do what they can to support trade with China, and we need to build co-operation and friendship. I am also conscious of perceptions, and of...

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I agreed not to move it following discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and on the basis that there would be clarity in respect of the case of Richard O'Halloran.

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am happy for the moment but I am concerned that I have not received further answers on the case of Richard O'Halloran. I made the point when I tabled the amendment and I strongly believe that we should have a diplomatic boycott. However, out of respect for the representatives in Iveagh House, when I was asked not to push it on that basis, I agreed. That said, I am disappointed, and...

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I will not push it but I am disappointed that-----

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. While he will not want it to be mentioned, it is important that Senators from all sides of the House show solidarity with him following the awful protest - I would not even call it a protest - that took place outside his home. There is no call for that. These are ignorant thugs-----

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: -----who have no respect for democracy. The Minister will find that there is solidarity with him and his family on all sides of this House. We need to take action. We are all in favour of peaceful protest but to do what was done outside the Minister's home and to his family is completely unacceptable. As I am sure the Minister is aware, the difficulty with this pandemic is that there is...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Towards Referees, Officials and Players in Sport: Discussion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank all the witnesses for their contributions and all the volunteer referees and the other people around the country who are a vital part of sport in this country. I will follow on from what was said by my colleague, Senator Shane Cassells, about the online abuse of referees and players. It is an issue others have raised. Such online abuse has become a growing trend. In terms of...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Towards Referees, Officials and Players in Sport: Discussion (1 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I was very much aware of that campaign. It was very powerful and it spoke to the message, not just for the GAA but for all sporting organisations. For us, it is an interesting issue which I deliberately asked about. One of the issues we are grappling with is that question of the individual complaints mechanism where we deal with online abuse. We obviously know about it in politics. Many...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Irish Sign Language (30 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter on the Irish Sign Language, ISL, which I know is of deep personal interest to him. I thank the Minister of State for coming into this House, as I know she is personally invested in this issue. My colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, has also regularly raised this issue. It is an important statement by these Houses...