Results 461-480 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future of Ireland and the European Union: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: In fairness, if the answers are to be given in the absence of the two questioners-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future of Ireland and the European Union: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: That is fair enough. I was going to suggest the Chairman take more questions from members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future of Ireland and the European Union: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: Why not? At the outset, I must state I am quite intimidated by the quality of the questions that have been asked. Unfortunately, I must ask a couple of questions that probably are like those asked in babies' class in school as against the academic questions posed to the witnesses earlier, which were very intellectually strong and powerful economic questions. Mr. McDonnell mentioned the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future of Ireland and the European Union: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: We both were intimidated by the academics sitting to my right.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future of Ireland and the European Union: Discussion (21 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I do not need that explained to me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I thank both witnesses for their appearance today. I have read their submission which effectively asks this committee to support the recommendations from Amnesty International Ireland for the Irish EU Presidency. Having read them all, I find there is no recommendation with which I disagree. However, I need some illumination on some issues. I will start with human rights defenders. This...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: Excuse me, Front Line Defenders. I am mixing Front Line Defenders with Human Rights Defenders.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: That is what makes it complicated. I was in the Mansion House when that organisation was nominating a series of activists. In fact, some governments protested - I think it was the Israeli, Moroccan and Iranian governments - vigorously at the inclusion of some human rights defenders. The witnesses are representing Amnesty International. There is another international body that deals with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: My question refers to how it controls the borders.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I thank Mr. Browder for coming here. I read up on the case and I am very interested. In a sense, it is historical or coincidental that Mr. Browder happens to be here just after the debate we have had on human rights with Amnesty International and the role of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. I congratulate Mr. Browder for acting far beyond the call of duty to a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am coming to the question. The United States of America, which has brought in the law, has had retaliation already by way of the adoptees. Could Mr. Browder explain why, in all of those countries Mr. Browder listed that he visited and where the parliamentarians apparently acted, the governments seem not to have acted? Mr. Browder was in Russia in the same period of the debate about the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I broadly support the proposition. We, as a committee, should support the proposition that we do something and should ask, in turn, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to use the platform of the Presidency. I would like to caution that this is more about legislation to affect human rights abusers internationally and there is danger in just...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: Presumably there are many precedents. If all these other parliamentarians are pushing motions, perhaps we can mimic them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (28 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I will throw my hands up and surrender at the outset, because I am the apprentice on this committee. I am only here courtesy of a lad in the Labour Party who refused to do what the Whip told him, so I will jump in at the deep end. I acknowledge the seriousness with which Seán Whelan made the last few points on the need for reform. The largest democracy in the world, India, used...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (28 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: During the referendum on the fiscal treaty last time around, people were being attacked even though they voted for the fiscal treaty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (28 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: There is the question of the shift in world capitalism. I believe Britain is going through this crisis because of its old historical might in the world, which is on the wane. Is there an argument that the centre of capitalism is moving more to the east, to China and Asia, and does that impinge on the strength or weakness of Europe?

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: We are trying to keep the show on the road after your lot.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: It is hard to take.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Motion (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am one of the signatories of the motion and was provoked into supporting it having heard an impassioned and intelligent presentation by Mr. Browder. I addressed the motion to the issue of human rights, which is ranked by the committee as a very important aspect of its work. I was also interested because the matter coincided with events that were happening around another man, Mr. Mikhail...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Motion (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am anxious to hear from the European division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.