Results 361-380 of 2,805 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I have regularly raised the issue of how technology is changing the nature of everything we do. In that context, I hope we can have a debate on the future of work and the need to constantly upskill and reskill our citizens. I say this in the context of the recent Facebook announcement that it is going to allow staff who are based here to work remotely. We have seen consumer trends shift...

Seanad: Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to speak on this Bill which deals with an important issue. I want to begin by addressing some of the comments made by Senator Mullen about comparing apples and oranges. His remarks were facetious. If he actually went out, he would find this is based on evidence. I would certainly encourage him to look at Central Statistics Office, CSO, data or...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreements) Bill 2021: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like colleagues, I welcome the Bill Senator Ruane has introduced. I support the principle behind it and am glad the Government is not opposing it. As has been outlined, there is a place for non-disclosure agreements. They were originally intended to cover areas involving commercial sensitivities, trade secrets and intellectual property. These must be protected. That makes sense. These...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am in a rush because I am getting my vaccination this afternoon and that is why I need to leave. I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I have a general question on targeting advertising at children. There has been a suggestion of having Instagram for kids. Should we consider having a code that would ban advertising targeted specifically at children? Ms Twomey or Ms Walsh may...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am sorry to interrupt. Could Ms Walsh tell us what she would like to see us do?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (18 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming in. I disagree with Senator Warfield's assertion that this has not been sought by local authorities. Senator Keogan and others in this Chamber, including Senator Cummins, raised some of the concerns relating to county development plans and what has been happening over the past year. The representative bodies for local authorities have sought this. I am very...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the decision of the Press Ombudsman and Press Council of Ireland concerning false statements made about Presentation College, Carlow and its teaching staff last November. It is time some of those who led the attacks on the teaching staff, including the Labour Party, would publicly apologise to those teachers who suffered a very unfair social media pile-on. I also echo the comments...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am delighted and I hope the Cathaoirleach and all the Members will come to Wexford on their staycation in the months ahead.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I have the some strawberries outside-----

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (21 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and praise him personally. He is quite modest but he has fought for this legislation for a long time and deserves our congratulations for that. Like others have said, the Joint Committee on Climate Action has done enormous work. I also wish to praise the climate strikers over the years. Those young people drew all of our attention to the...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Brexit Issues: Discussion (8 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank our witnesses for their comprehensive presentations. I will try to be succinct but many issues have been covered. I echo Senator O'Reilly's point that the engagement between the Seanad and MEPs is important. I will start by referring to Mr Markey's point about enhanced ferry capacity. Unsurprisingly, of course, I will mention that it remains increasingly important to continue to...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Impact of Brexit on the Food and Drink Industry: Discussion (14 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the contributors. In terms of our recommendation, I agree with Mr. Lavelle regarding the rules of origin and the need for substantial reform of those rules. He may wish to comment on this. The issue has come up at the committee, particularly in the context of flour, as colleagues will know. Are there specific comments Mr. Lavelle or the other witnesses wish to make on that issue?...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Rail Connectivity Post Brexit: Aughey Screens (14 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: My questions follow on from those of Senator Gallagher. I am a great believer in using high-speed rail but it tends to be between two major urban conglomerations anywhere else it is used in the world, for example, in China, Japan or elsewhere in Europe, such as the Madrid to Seville line. My question is about the economics of the proposal. Are the numbers there for the line to be viable?...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (25 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I thank the Minister for yet again coming into the House to debate housing legislation. Senator Keogan was right in one respect, namely, that the crucial issue is supply. The major issue in the context of the whole debate on housing relates to supply and accelerating supply. Senator Keogan was certainly wrong to state that the Government is not...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Trade and Co-operation Agreement, Northern Ireland Protocol, and EU-UK Relationships post Brexit: Commissioner Mairead McGuinness (15 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Commissioner for a very comprehensive presentation. I will try to be succinct with a number of points. Given we are seeing rising tensions in the North, we may yet see an election there and we are moving towards the marching season, does it make sense to look at a negotiated extension of the grace period? Related to that, and the Commissioner's point about building trust is...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and my colleagues for bringing forward this important proposal. We need to look at ways that we can design our homes, public buildings and buildings in a more energy-friendly way. There are a number of other important elements that are part of it. I wish to focus on our education and research system. We need to look at putting much...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, for coming in to respond to this issue. We saw that the leaving certificate classes of 2020 and 2021 both experienced enormous difficulties. It was through the leadership of the Department and the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, that we were able to reach an accommodation. I pay tribute in particular to the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister very much for her reply. I obviously wish her son and the 60,000 other students who are going into leaving certificate year the very best in the year ahead. I know that the advisory group is meeting and that there is student input but the earlier that certainty can be provided to that student group, the better. There has been, as the Minister of State has rightly...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I join others in congratulating the Cathaoirleach. I agree with Senator Burke that there is a big problem with driver theory tests. It is not just the sons of farmers and agricultural contractors but also the daughters who have concerns about the delays. I have been fortunate in recent weeks to take part in a big fundraiser and awareness-raising campaign in County Wexford around motor...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Future of Media in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine. I will focus on the legislation we are considering. What do the witnesses see as the primary roles of the new media commission that we are going to set up? Do they see it as becoming a regulator? Do they believe it will also have a role in education and in supporting content creation? My next question relates to the commission's third thematic...