Results 21-40 of 1,927 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Services (18 Dec 2019)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister but I am afraid that his answer is a bit of a cop-out. It is great that we will see him announce 41 new trains and I am sure he will be smiling beside them when that happens, but the problem is that we are not even getting any of those shiny new trains on the Rosslare route-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Services (18 Dec 2019)

Malcolm Byrne: -----we are getting what might be left over. I am not asking the Minister to drive the trains, I am asking him to drive rail policy. He has outlined some of the challenges we have with the single-track issue, the tunnels and the DART line, but this is about setting out a long=term vision to ensure that the people use the train and it is a viable alternative for people in counties Wexford...

Environmental Policy: Motion [Private Members] (18 Dec 2019)

Malcolm Byrne: Like my colleagues, I strongly support the Labour Party motion. Potentially four people die every day as a result of poor air quality. Deputies Burton and Browne mentioned some of the towns in Wexford. In some of those towns at night, smoky coal can be tasted in the air. If somebody has asthma or another respiratory illness, it causes serious problems. In some cases, people cannot even...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I congratulate you, a Chathaoirleach, on your election today. I am very confident that you will be impartial and fair, and that you will stand up for this House and for its voice to be heard within the Oireachtas and more widely. I thank Mr. Martin Groves and all of his staff, not just for assisting us as new Senators but also for the conduct of the Seanad election in difficult times. It...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: -----over the past year. While we have the honour of being able to sit in a Chamber such as this, it is the volunteers and those who go out to knock on the doors for whom we are really grateful. In many ways they are the heroes of democracy. Without them we would not have the democratic society that we have. I was fortunate to be nominated by the Drama League of Ireland when I was elected...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (29 Jun 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: -----that is going to happen. The Government has a big majority, but it is still important that we hold the Government to account and that we listen to each other. I ask the Leader, in facilitating discussion over the coming weeks, to ensure we look at some of the issues that have been raised by Members. Perhaps she will set aside time to focus on those issues specifically and to look at...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I join with Senator Bacik in condemning the vile abuse, rooted in homophobia, that has been directed against the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. It is incumbent on all of us in this House to stand against the small minority in society who have little to do but engage in homophobic or, indeed, any other form of abuse. The Minister should be judged on the basis of his performance not because of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that is, to take No. 3 before No. 1. I am seeking leave to introduce the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill to give effect to the seventh amendment to the Constitution, which, Members will be aware, was passed in July 1979 but never enacted. It is to extend voting rights in Seanad elections to the university panel to...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: First Stage (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: That leave be granted to introduce Bill entitled an Act to provide for the amendment of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Acts 1937 to 2006, to provide for the provisions of the seventh amendment of Bunreacht na hÉireann and to extend the franchise of the university panel of Seanad Éireann to all people who are over eighteen and are holders of an appropriate third...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: First Stage (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (16 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I join with my colleagues in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, as I know he will do a superb job as he has a deep commitment to public service. A key element of this legislation which has been mentioned already by a number of colleagues, is solidarity. European solidarity has been more important than ever. At a time when...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Mullen and I hope we will have a debate on the human rights abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party. I wish to focus on a number of education matters. I am sure the House will join me in welcoming the appointment of Professor Kerstin Mey as the interim president of the University of Limerick, UL. This is the first time in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with my colleague, Senator Cummins, about the need for a university of the south east. We have a cross-party Oireachtas group and we are united in our belief that a university for the region has to come about. We are meeting Waterford and Carlow institutes of technology on Monday and we expect them to give us a clear commitment that they will lodge an application this year....

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I join my colleague, Senator Kyne, in congratulating the Minister of State and the Minister on their appointments. This is a relatively short piece of legislation but a very important one in that it establishes what I regard as a key Department for the planning of the future of this country. It represents a real opportunity. Much of what the Government does is firefighting, but this is a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: To follow my colleague, I would certainly also welcome colleagues to the sunny south east and to historic Wexford over the coming months.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I wish to raise the question of the community employment, CE, supervisors pension scheme. The Cathaoirleach will be aware there was a Labour Court recommendation in 2008. This has been the subject of a long-running series of discussions. I am aware the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, is due to meet representatives of the supervisors next week. I am hopeful that we will finally be able...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I join my colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Troy. I have known him for a long time and I am quite certain that he will bring the same dynamism and curious mind to his new role as he brings to politics. This is welcome legislation but in many ways it is just catching up with the reality of how businesses had to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. As his role involves trade...

Seanad: Education: Statements (28 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I join my colleagues in welcoming the Minister to the Chamber for this very important debate. I know of her personal deep commitment to education and notwithstanding the criticisms of Senator Warfield there is a very clear commitment on the part of the Government to education. It is our top priority. It is probably reflected in the number of speakers on the Government side who are present....