Results 581-600 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I second Senator Terry Leyden's motion to amend the Order of Business. I do not wish to join the universal praise for the formation of another group of Independents in the Seanad. The Croke Park agreement was mentioned in the context of duplication in the public and Civil Service. This is more duplication. In the Lower House, Deputies Richard Boyd Barrett and Shane Ross are in the same...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It does not seem to be allowed.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It will further public scorn of the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It will further public scorn of the Seanad and I ask the Independents to consider bridging the gap of their differences and uniting in the interest of the efficiency of proceedings. Cloud computing has been in the news and I am delighted that Senator Quinn has reminded us of the need for good news. Dell has announced jobs in that area. However, a report in the newspaper on Friday suggested...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I did not say that.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: By the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Yesterday the Leader suggested that we could discuss a range of issues with the Minister for Finance during our debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011. I am wary of that proposal because the Bill raises a number of important issues which deserve our attention in their own right. I would prefer for the Leader to arrange a separate debate on the economy, the finance portfolio and the EU-IMF...

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The speculation engaged in by Fine Gael and Labour Party Ministers.

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to speak to the motion. It is important to recall its genesis, the genesis of the Hogan tax. We have heard of the Tobin tax and now we have the Hogan tax. Metered water charges are mentioned in all the manifestos of the main political parties. The Labour Party held out for a long time against them, but the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, reversed course from one statement in...

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister is introducing a new tax. That is the point.

Seanad: Water Charges: Motion (8 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator should be careful what he says. We are nearly at the figure of 100 days. Will the promises be kept?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The deputy leader can propose a constitutional amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Last week I raised the issue of nursing homes and in particular the ownership structure of nursing homes. I am not aware if it is a problem in this country but it is a major problem in Great Britain. While the situation in the Rostrevor nursing home was bad enough, imagine what the burden on the State would be had that company or family owned 40 or 50 nursing homes. That issue needs to be...

Seanad: Progress on the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language: Statements (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Ba mhaith liom féin fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit as teacht go dtí an tSeanad inniu. Níl aon amhras ach go go gcuirfidh sé an Ghaeilge agus na ceantair Gaeltachta chun cinn i rith a théarma. Bhunaigh an Rialtas deiridh, ina raibh mé féin páirteach, an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Tá an straitéis sin bunaithe ar thaighde agus ar thuairimí mhuintir na Gaeilge agus na...

Seanad: Hospital Services (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: This matter derives from a large-scale campaign organised in County Meath to protect services at Navan hospital, which is greatly valued by people in the county. In following up promises made by Fine Gael in particular in advance of the general election, the campaign group permitted the Minister for Health a reasonable period to master his brief, but I understand he has not yet issued a...

Seanad: Hospital Services (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister but I am disappointed that the Minister for Health has not committed to meeting the people of County Meath. This is the sixth time he has been asked. He has in the past committed to doing so but he has not made a commitment in this reply. While I regarded Ms Mary Harney as an excellent Minister for Health and Children, she could not have put this better herself. This...

Seanad: Hospital Services (9 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: He was the same as the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Taoiseach believed him.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2011)

Thomas Byrne: He was the same about Navan hospital.