Results 2,181-2,200 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Unlike the Fine Gael Party and Labour Party, I have not changed my view on the property tax and mine was an outspoken voice during the term of last Government that we should not have a property tax because of its unfairness. I am glad that was reported in the media and I can remind people with my comments on the record.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I did not speak off the record on those issues. The property tax is deeply unfair and unjust, particularly in County Meath. In towns like Dunboyne and Ratoath, which are in the top 13% of house prices nationwide according to the register of property prices for last year, no account is taken of mortgages, commuting to work or the extra costs of these families. It is deeply unfair. Another...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2013: Discussion with European Commission Representation in Ireland (10 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputy Mathews for his excellent contribution, which certainly got to the nub of many of the issues. I have a few specific points on which I seek answers. In its annual growth survey, the Commission proposed ensuring a balanced approach to foreclosures in the case of mortgage lending while protecting vulnerable households and preventing banks' balance sheets from becoming...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2013: Discussion with European Commission Representation in Ireland (10 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The point was about how the Commission is proposing to relieve foreclosure and protect vulnerable households, yet individual member states are regulating only certain banks. If Ireland is not able to regulate all of the banks that operate or have lent money in the economy, it requires a European response. The nub of the question is: what is happening from a Brussels point of view?

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I agree with much of what Senator Hayden has said, particularly in regard to the case-by-case issue. That is a phrase that should be struck from political and economic language in this country. I heard Sinn Féin also brought this up in the past couple of months as it favoured a case-by-case approach. What it means in practice is a person going in before the bank official and talking...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I certainly do. I know more than the Senator. The amendment the Government has put forward really shows how out of touch it is, particularly its first and last paragraphs, which keep going back to the last Government instead of addressing the crisis that is before us. The Government states it has inherited a huge problem from the last Government----- I am sorry, the Ministers of State are...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Mortgage arrears have doubled under this Government. It is about time the Government took this issue seriously because it has not dealt with it at all. While Senator Hayden’s comments were very well thought out and based on her experience, I was disappointed to hear her look forward to the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2013. In my view, that Bill is an abomination and it is...

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Road Network (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment. The people of County Meath deeply appreciate the fact that I can raise these issues in the Seanad. I am concerned about the state of the roads in the county. The Minister of State will probably argue that the state of the roads is the responsibility of the county council and that the Minister only has a limited...

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Road Network (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is impossible to read the version of the Minister of State's reply that has been furnished to us. The copy of the reply from which the Minister of State read is in the proper font. I do not know why it could not have been photocopied and made available to us. It is impossible to read the document given to us. It is an insult to the Seanad that the Department of Transport, Tourism and...

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Road Network (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I would be delighted to receive it. It would be difficult to pass copies of the version of the speech that was given to me to those who are interested in this matter.

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Road Network (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is not as if the proper version was not available. It looks like the officials in the Department did this deliberately.

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Road Network (17 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Two pages would have been fine. If it was twice the size, it would have fitted on two pages. I would like to make a couple of points on this issue. It is unfair to blame the county council in the manner the Minister of State has tried to do. It is trying to do the best it can from within its own resources. Its income has decreased. It is not allowed to keep the property tax. Certainly,...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, an bhfuil ráiteas an tAire Stáit le fáil? Is the Minister of State's speech available in print?

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, I object to the Minister of State just putting on the record a speech instead of setting out the details of the Bill. It is unacceptable and insulting to the Seanad that the Minister would not explain what is in the Bill for the purposes of the debate. It is unprecedented and I call on the Minister of State to argue his point. Otherwise, we may as well close the doors,...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is an outrageous allegation for the Minister to make in this House. If they treat this Parliament as they are doing they will be run out of office quicker than they ever expected.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I do not know what to say because this is outrageous. It is a bad precedent for the Seanad and the Dáil because while Governments, and this Government in particular, are prepared to guillotine legislation, I have never heard of a Minister's speech being guillotined in any Chamber. It is outrageous and people should object to that in a serious way. It is turning this Seanad into a...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It was made in the 1980s by Fine Gael.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It made that particular decision.

Seanad: Financial Stability and Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I pay tribute to Senator Barrett who continues to bring forward important legislation, based on his own expertise and experience and that of his students and colleagues in Trinity College. It is very important that such expertise is brought to our national Parliament. It is a great pity, however, with the way that this Parliament works, that such expertise stops when the speeches are made,...