Results 181-200 of 1,927 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement with Committee for the Executive Office, Northern Ireland Assembly on Impact of Brexit (2 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Mr. McGrath for his presentation. My first question relates to higher education and research. I could not figure out why the UK chose not to continue in the Erasmus+ programme. Mr. McGrath will be aware that the Irish Government is giving the opportunity to Northern students to take part in Erasmus+, but it is also important that we examine ways, in a post-Brexit scenario, to...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement with Committee for the Executive Office, Northern Ireland Assembly on Impact of Brexit (2 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I was conscious when Mr. McGrath spoke about potatoes and pencils and not knowing the identity of the person buying them, although Jacob Rees-Mogg seems to know the identity of fish at this stage. In response to Ms Anderson's question about ports, I come from Wexford, and Rosslare port is booming. Year on year, trade with continental Europe is now up by 446% even though trade with Britain...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I will start by echoing Senator Flynn's concerns about the digital divide and access to laptops and tablets. In that regard, I welcome the Government's announcement today, because it is a concern I also share, of the €5.8 million fund to mitigate the impact of educational disadvantage, particularly in the context of the digital divide.The fund will be administered by the education and...

Seanad: Special Education Provision: Statements (8 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo many of the comments that have been made by my colleagues. I was particularly struck by Senator Bacik's remark about how we can address problems with regression. This is a particular concern, and I hope a plan is put in place for children with special needs who have regressed. This is obviously based on speaking to their teachers and their families. We must put measures in place....

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for being here and for being a mental health champion. It is clear since the Minister of State has gone into the Department that she has a personal interest in this. I know it is an issue of concern to everybody in this House and right around the country and that the Minister of State is interested in solving the problems. I know her legacy will be to resolve...

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

Malcolm Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome him to the Chair. I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House. I agree with his comments on the previous Commencement matter recognising the role of the ISSU. I also agree with the comments of Senator Fitzpatrick. I am jointly raising an issue with Senator Ward because, as legislators in a democracy, we...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I am aware the Government and the EU are raising continuous concerns, but this is something we will have to take very seriously. It is about a democracy being repressed. If the current policy continues, people may flee to Ireland. I ask that consideration be given to granting them the right to remain here, if they have to do so for political reasons. I ask the Minister of State to comment...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the concerns expressed by Senator McDowell concerning an Irish citizen, Richard O'Halloran, in China. There is a need for a broader debate around the relationship of Ireland and the European Union with China. Speaking during a Commencement matter debate earlier, my colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, rightly raised the need for urgency in reaching a decision on this year's leaving...

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: First Stage (15 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to restrict the use of the terms "Óglaigh na hÉireann" and "Defence Forces" to the defence forces raised and maintained under the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015, and for that purpose to restrict the inclusion of those words in the names of certain other bodies by amending the Defence Act 1954, and to provide for related...

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: First Stage (15 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Remote Working Strategy: Motion (15 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: It is good to see Senator McGreehan in the Chair. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English. Like others, I pay tribute to Senator Currie, who is passionate about this issue. This is a timely and appropriate debate as the Government contemplates issues around remote working. I would like to comment on a couple of the contributions.Senator McDowell is right to state that we need to...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Impact of Brexit on Trade Connectivity and Trade Flows: Discussion (15 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Mr. Nolan and Mr. McArdle for their presentations. I will not repeat anything that has been said already, other than that a move towards the digitisation of the paperwork would make a lot of sense as a strong recommendation. I am sure the witnesses are aware that at the moment we are in the process of reviewing the national development plan. Submissions will close this week....

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Impact of Brexit on Trade Connectivity and Trade Flows: Discussion (15 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Mr. Carr, Mr. Kenny and Mr. O'Reilly for their presentations. As I am from Wexford, Mr. O'Reilly might not be surprised that my focus will tend towards Rosslare Europort. Mr. Kenny took over from Mr. Carr just as we were talking about infrastructural developments and he focused on the completion of the motorway from Oilgate to Rosslare, which is particularly important. He might go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Táim anseo, go raibh maith agat, Cathaoirleach. I echo Mr. Hannigan's comments about welcoming the continued commitments of the technological sector to providing access to education. I understand that much profile is often given to one access programme but the institutes of technology and technological universities, TUs, have a very strong emphasis on access and always have. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: On the last occasion, I asked about what choice would be available to the sector if more public funding was not available. Mr. Hannigan might comment on cross-border possibilities in the development of the CUA. I see Brexit as an opportunity for higher education and research even though there are challenges as well. Mr. Hannigan might talk about that. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ryan...

Seanad: Student Nurses (Pay) Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like others, I thank Senator Hoey for bringing this Bill forward and allowing us to debate this issue. I also thank the Minister for coming to the House.One of the bigger questions we need to ask is why student nurses ended up in our healthcare system, essentially having to do the work of nurses and midwives. As students, they should not be expected to do this work. The challenge has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (22 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement Matter for discussion. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with it. As he will be aware, Rosslare Europort has expanded quite rapidly as a result of Brexit. Continental ferry traffic year on year increased by 447% in January. There are far more direct shipping routes and it is obvious that Rosslare...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (22 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I think the Minister of State realises the importance of this road and its completion. Again, I am concerned about the timeframe we are talking about. There is an ideal opportunity now in the context of the review of the national development plan, because obviously we are in a very different world from when the NDP was drawn up, and a number of submissions have been made about the...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid – Matters on the Business of the Seanad (22 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I will start by agreeing with my colleagues. Senator Davitt spoke concerning the Passport Office while Senator Warfield spoke about reform of the licensing laws and a debate around studio space to support our creative industries. I want to refer to events in Australia with regard to Facebook recently. They raise important questions about how we ensure payment for quality journalism in...

Seanad: Councillors' Pay: Motion (22 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Oscar Wilde defined a cynic as someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. I think that can be applied to The Mirror'sill-informed clickbait coverage around local government last week. It is a frequent problem in national media that we do not see proper coverage of local government. RTÉ regularly has discussion programmes about local government without...