Results 3,761-3,780 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, will copies of the Report Stage amendments be circulated?

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: In that event, proceedings should be suspended until they are circulated.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I was both astonished and disgusted today by the proposal from the Fine Gael and Labour parties that they will rewrite the 1916 Proclamation. I have never heard its like before. Would one rewrite a document for which people died?

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: That is exactly what is proposed.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: The Fine Gael and Labour parties have no authority. They have no ownership of 1916, which belongs to everybody in this country and it is about time they realise that. There appears to be some sort of shame, particularly within the Fine Gael Party, as well as large sections of the Labour Party, about 1916. That was clearly evident-----

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: It was clearly evident from the promotional video the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, released last year.The 1916 Rising was hardly mentioned. There were pictures of the British royal family, but none of the signatories or people who had died.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: We should have a full debate on the 1916 Proclamation, how we are implementing it and realising the vision of those who gave their lives and those who subsequently created this democracy.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: How are we realising that vision? For the Fine Gael Party, the latest show of shame and embarrassment follows the iar-Thaoiseach, Mr. Bruton, calling for the firing squads to be remembered. It is ludicrous and ridiculous. It is about time Fine Gael took its hand off the Proclamation and gave it back to the people, with whom it belongs.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Lemass and de Valera

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Lemass and de Valera set up democracy in this country

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Mar 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Deployment (2 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad that my commencement matter has been selected for today. I understand the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister of State are unavailable but at least I was told in advance. It is a pity they are not here because in the village of Duleek, County Meath, there is considerable fear and apprehension about the surge in the number of burglaries of premises and robberies that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Deployment (2 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I ask the Minister of State to inform the Minister of the details of the situation in County Meath. The Garda division based in Ashbourne covers the area from the Kilcock bridge on the Meath-Kildare border up to the outskirts of Drogheda, across to Laytown, including Stamullen and Duleek and almost over to Navan and including the Rathfeigh area. It also includes the busy N2 road which is...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I second my colleague's amendment on what is a very important issue before the House that affects many people. I also raise the debacle of the launch of Ireland's Ancient East initiative by the Government yesterday morning. In attempting to promote tourism in the east of the country and giving some alternative to the Wild Atlantic Way, it has botched the job, so the Minister should come...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: On pothole fixing in Castleknock.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: That is just 4%.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Is there a Fifth Stage? There are some general points I wish to raise with the Minister of State. Should I raise them now?

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I want to make some general comments, in particular regarding the massive delay in dealing with the Bill. It has taken so long for it to wind its way through the House. In that time, Fianna Fáil put forward a Bill in regard to sports clubs which have a bar, and I am glad the Minister of State has put that into the legislation, which we welcome. However, the fact this legislation has...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Therefore, a local club renting out sports facilities to the local community or communities adjacent to that community will not have a commercial rate attaching to that premises.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State is confirming that.