Results 41-60 of 1,889 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I agree with Senators Hoey and Ó Donnghaile that we should get clarity as soon as possible concerning the direct provision centre in Cahersiveen. I suggest to the Acting Leader that a statement might be provided on the matter to this House, preferably on the Order of Business tomorrow. Last week, when we discussed the very successful...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I join with Senator Ó Donnghaile in hoping we will receive an update on this issue. There was consensus in the House yesterday regarding concern at what was happening in Cahersiveen. It is important, therefore, that we receive an update on that situation. I support the re-establishment of the select committee on Brexit. If we had been asked six months ago what issue we would have...

Seanad: Skellig Star Direct Provision Centre and the Future of Direct Provision: Statements (30 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for being available to join us today. I also welcome the series of commitments she has given on direct provision and, on top of this, her sincere personal commitment as Minister, and I know of the commitment of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to address this issue. There is agreement across the House on the importance of this issue of addressing the immediate challenge...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (31 Jul 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I join the Cathaoirleach in thanking all the staff here and I know some of them had a very late night. I hope we will not be still here at 2.40 a.m. tomorrow. I thank all the staff for facilitating us and the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to use the Chamber. It has been a particular honour and I have now sat in this Chamber as a Senator for more days than I did as a Deputy. This is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: While it is very important that we continue to highlight the plight of professional artists and musicians, I draw the attention of the House and the Minister with responsibility for the arts to the situation facing the amateur arts community. Normally, around this time of year, amateur drama groups are preparing for one-act or three-act drama festivals and amateur musical societies are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection Commission (23 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting my matter. Being in this Chamber feels like one's first day in school. Obviously, I am very happy to pose the first matter here to my Wexford colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. My matter focuses on data and data protection.I am a strong advocate for the effective use of data in terms of how it can inform public policy, but it also has...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection Commission (23 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate that the Data Protection Commission is a separate agency. My point is that this is about the potential threat to Ireland's reputation, and part of the issue is around the adequate resourcing of the Data Protection Commission, for which the Government is responsible. This will require a whole-of-government response around issues...

Seanad: Withdrawal Agreement Between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Motion (23 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Acting Chairman for the allocation of time to discuss this very important motion. As Senator O'Reilly said earlier, but for Covid this issue would be the biggest issue for us to debate. It is essential that Brexit remains to the fore and that is why we have brought it forward, as a group, here this evening. The cross-party support for the motion is welcome.We should also be...

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber and for the energy and enthusiasm he has shown in the establishment of this new Department and the work that he and the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, have done so far. I echo the Minister in thanking the higher and further education institutions for doing Trojan work in the past few months both to adapt to the pandemic but also to...

Seanad: School Transport, Leaving Certificate 2020 and Reopening of Schools: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. One of the hallmarks since she has become Minister is that she is somebody who is willing to listen and engage with all of the stakeholders in the sector. She certainly has been willing to engage with teachers and boards of management. I particularly compliment her on being willing to engage with students. She has actively engaged with the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the Cathaoirleach's views and Senator Craughwell's with regard to Óglaigh na hÉireann and the Cathaoirleach's commendation of them. Similarly, I share the frustration of Senator Higgins, especially in the way in which the Executive has been treating the Legislature. I would ask, on behalf of all sides, that the Leas-Cheannaire would bring that back. There have been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: If Senator Gavan wants to defend the Lukashenko regime, please do.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I do not think the Lukashenko regime reflects the views of this House or of most people in this country. If Sinn Féin and the hard left-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: -----want to continue to support that regime, they can go ahead and do so.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: This shows that when we have a debate on foreign policy, the values in this House around human rights, democracy and a free press must be essential. That informs our human rights policy. It is a pity that Sinn Féin and the hard left support the Lukashenko regime. I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and those European representatives who have stood against it and will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Luafaidh mé dhá rud le toil an tSeomra. The programme for Government commits to incentivising the shift to electric vehicles and in particular to the publication of an electrical vehicle strategy to ensure we have the necessary charging infrastructure and that it will stay ahead of demand. In Galway, Councillor Albert Dolan is leading the charge, if Members will pardon the pun, to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: The Senator's former constituency colleague.

Seanad: Aviation Industry: Statements (1 Oct 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I had the good fortune to speak to her about ports this morning and am pleased to speak to her about airports this afternoon. I share some of my colleagues' concerns about us no longer having a stake in Aer Lingus at this crucial time. I would remind Senator Moynihan, however, that the Labour Party supported the sale of the airline. Indeed,...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I join with the Cathaoirleach in commending Senator Flynn on her important contribution. Overnight, the US House Judiciary Committee produced a 449-page report on the monopolistic practices of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google. While there is disagreement on what action is needed to be taken, clearly the case has been found that these companies are abusing a dominant position. They have...

Seanad: HSE Winter Plan: Statements (7 Oct 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State and I know she is passionate about this issue, particularly her concern about people's mental health and well-being over the coming winter. The winter plan addresses the role of GPs. GPs have been under pressure and working on the frontline has meant many of them are exhausted. GPs and their teams of nurses and other workers deserve a lot of praise. I agree...