Results 581-600 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges facing Women in Sport: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I totally appreciate that. My point is that it is interesting that the chair of the women in sport committee has raised the matter. I am conscious the IRFU is carrying out a review and on foot of that review, any response that is necessary and appropriate should be followed through. On a local level and speaking about local clubs, I know Gorey Rugby Club has been particularly active in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to speak to this matter. He might recall we discussed it in September 2020, when I raised concerns around the capacity of the office of the Data Protection Commissioner, its resourcing and its powers in being able to deal with some of the challenges it continues to face. First, I compliment the staff of the Data Protection Commissioner,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the fact that there are discussions around a move towards three commissioners. I am certainly interested in hearing the Minister of State's personal view on whether this will happen, and happen quickly. In terms of addressing some of the concerns, including those raised by the DPC around its functioning, this may be a step forward. If the Minister of State cannot give a direct...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Like others, I extend my sympathies to the family, friends, partner and school community of the late Ashling Murphy. Her death has started a number of discussions. I occasionally run and never think about my personal safety as a man, but for women it is an issue of concern. Having spoken to women runners I know it has always been an issue. Even at our local park run on Saturday it was...

Seanad: The Impact of Covid-19 on Primary and Secondary Education: Motion (19 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: First, I compliment the work of my Wexford colleague, Deputy Kehoe, and the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. I also compliment the Minister on her work in this area. In the context of online bullying, while I welcome the new strategy with regard to bullying, a lot of our concern is not so much about the bullying that takes place...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regulatory Bodies (20 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming in to take this matter. It is one that is of personal interest to him. As far as the consumer is concerned, there is very limited, and in some sectors no real competition, in banking, insurance and financial services in Ireland. The Minister of State will also be aware that there has been criticism among fintech companies about the approach the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regulatory Bodies (20 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with the Minister of State that consumers are voting with their wallets, so to speak, and moving on to new products such as Revolut and N26. They are moving into new areas of fintech. If he talks to any of the fintech companies, he will find that they do not feel that they are getting a level playing field from the Central Bank. The Central Bank obviously has to protect the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: This Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of when, on 22 January 1972, the accession treaty for Ireland to join the then European Economic Community, EEC, was signed by Taoiseach Jack Lynch and Minister for Foreign Affairs Patrick Hillery. They built on the work of Seán Lemass and others who very clearly argued that Ireland's future rightly lay in Europe. In May of that year, 83% of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Most in this House will agree that, in the words of the Taoiseach, Friday was a good day. The extraordinary vaccination programme and its success led us to where we are. There may be a few twists and turns yet but there is an air of optimism around the country. I know plenty of people who abandoned their plans for dry January over the weekend, after the difficulties that we have had. We...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Is the Leader inviting us all to Coppers?

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is not an Oxford comma.

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. Like Senator Kyne, I compliment him on the work he has done since taking up his brief. In particular, I compliment him on listening to the voices of the farming community and visiting the marts around the country. The latter was a useful exercise. Farmers are front-line workers in the battle against climate change. What farmers are looking for...

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Senator Mullen has been known for flogging several dead horses over the years. Maybe in this debate that was not a surprise.

Seanad: Climate and Agriculture: Statements (25 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The Minister knows that peat has been an ongoing hot topic. I would argue that our horticulture sector is perhaps one of the greenest sectors in agriculture. Those in involved in horticulture and mushroom growing want to ensure that everything they do is done in a green and environmentally sustainable way. They want to make sure that their produce is green and branded as such. Now that we...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. He will be familiar with the fact that last summer there were two very serious E.coli outbreaks, one in Ballymore Eustace, which provides much of the water supplies of Kildare and Dublin, and the other in my home town of Gorey. There were 52 confirmed illnesses, and potentially more, as a result of those outbreaks and the difficulties...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I welcome his stance and that of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. We were proactive in addressing this issue and we have seen progress from Irish Water as a result of the audit of those 26 water treatment plants. When will it be extended to all of the other water treatment plants, many of which serve smaller communities? I note that 35% of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will start by agreeing with Senator Kyne. Several of us have been calling for debate on the Passport Office. It is now becoming a matter of serious urgency, so it could be arranged in the next week or two, it would be appreciated. Yesterday, I referred to the appointment of the expert panel that is due to be set up to examine how an individual complaints mechanism could operate with the...

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am sharing my time with Senator McGreehan.

Seanad: Final Report on Impacts of Brexit of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister, not just for coming to the House, but for all his work and that of his officials on this matter. At times he must be tearing his hair out because it can be very frustrating. Every time we seem to move one step forward, another challenge arises. Genuinely, his work in this area deserves much praise. I join colleagues in complimenting the Chair of our committee,...

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Order for Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."