Results 2,001-2,020 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: A couple of points arise and there are some major contradictions in the Minister of State's comments. He indicated that vacancies would be given within current locations where feasible but says there are no vacancies in Gormanston. He mentioned the possibility of a review of the decision but that was not brought to my attention by the wives and family members who approached me. I do not...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Here we go again. The Government cannot tear up a banker's contract but it can tear up the contracts of loyal Irish Air Corps service men. They serve the country and have done only good for it.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Opposition of the time went against everything we did but the Government is now claiming credit for it.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, the Minister's script is 20 pages long. We are 15 minutes into the debate and he is only on page 4.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I have no objection to the Minister speaking at length but the duration of the debate is fixed and Senators will not have much time to contribute. I have only eight minutes to reply.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, that is my point exactly. We cannot respond in ten minutes. I have no objection to the Minister having as long as it takes. It is a long and important Bill but Opposition spokespersons should have a similar time to respond.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is unsatisfactory that we do not have the same rights as Government Members in this context.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On the comment I made earlier to which the Minister took offence, it was directed at the procedures of the House rather than him, in terms of the allocation of one hour to him and only ten minutes to the main Opposition spokespersons, which is unsatisfactory, particularly on such an important Bill. The debate is to be guillotined in that it must conclude at 5 p.m., in respect of which a...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: There are many problems in the country and it is a pity more business is not being taken. That calls into the question the Government's true agenda and whether it is able to run the country in the way it has been elected to do. I refer to the mortgage to rent scheme, a pillar of Labour Party policy. Labour Party Senators were among the first to recommend such an approach, although I...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It does not state that.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: What help is that to people with mortgage difficulties? The Senator's party is now in power and mine was voted out because of what had occurred.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: What has that to do with the Government? It is a private transaction between an English bank and another foreign bank.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It has nothing to do with the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I will say some home truths.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We had three hours but the Minister for Justice and Equality used up one hour and 15 minutes. I spoke in the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Do not imply that I was not here for yesterday's debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I was one of them.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister took nearly half of the three hours allocated for the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: There was not enough time. The Minister took half the time.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Courts Service (27 Nov 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Táim an-bhuíoch den Chathaoirleach as ligint domsa an t-ábhar seo a ardú ar Athló an tSeanaid anocht. Is ábhar an-thábhachtach é seo maidir le teach cúirte Ceanannais Móir, Contae na Mí. This is the third time that I have stood in the Seanad to address what I perceive to be the downgrading of the town of Kells by the Government. I spoke on the cancellation of the Eureka school...