Results 8,221-8,240 of 9,833 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (17 Dec 2020)

Thomas Byrne: I again thank my colleagues for their sentiments, which I take very seriously indeed and which I will certainly relay to the Minister and to the Taoiseach. I will, however, take the opportunity to remind the House that the establishment of an independent commission on the Defence Forces follows a very specific commitment made in the programme for Government, as agreed by Government parties,...

EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Motion (20 Jan 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputies from all sides of the House who participated in today's session. The trade and co-operation agreement and indeed the broader questions regarding our bilateral relationship with the UK, are vital issues for everybody on this island. It is appropriate that the Dáil should be fully engaged in considering the issues arising. I echo the call made by the Minister for...

Brexit (Foreign Affairs): Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The trade and co-operation agreement secured a new basis for engagement between the European Union and the UK. It preserves our and the EU's core principles while respecting the wishes of the UK, wishes with which we did not agree but respectfully do so. There is a framework which can be built on by mutual agreement over time. The agreement provides for zero-tariff and zero-quota trade for...

An Bille um an Seachtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cearta Geilleagracha, Comhdhaonnacha agus Cultúir), 2018: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Jan 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas do gach duine a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo, go háirithe an Teachta Pringle a chur an reachtaíocht seo os ár gcomhair inniu. This is a really important issue. I do not disagree with Deputy Pringle on its importance. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, has set out the ways that we can monitor Ireland's implementation...

An Bille um an Seachtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cearta Geilleagracha, Comhdhaonnacha agus Cultúir), 2018: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Jan 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Our inequality levels have reduced thanks to the progressive policies of previous Fianna Fáil Governments. I am glad to see our influence on this Government. We have moved mountains in seeking to help and support the most vulnerable in society. Health expenditure has amounted to €19.8 billion, including additional funding of €2.5 billion to maximise capacity in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le baill an choiste as an gcuireadh chun teacht anseo inniu. Tá áthas orm aon eolas atá agam a scaipeadh. This is my first appearance before the committee since the trade and co-operation agreement was reached between the EU and the UK. I will first speak briefly speak on that before I talk about the issue of the protocol,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: That is probably a better approach. Deputy Calleary has asked some very important and fundamental questions on various aspects of this. On the question of Article 16 being triggered, while we might not be as shocked now two weeks on, the reaction Deputy Calleary shows today is similar to the Government's reaction on the day, namely, one of complete shock and surprise. It is absolutely the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: My apologies. The Chairman should have cut me off.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no problem answering that. The President of the Commission herself has taken full political responsibility for this, and I think that is where accountability lies. Again, I am not running away from the question because I am as concerned as the Deputy. However, I cannot answer for the Commission. It is accountable to the European Parliament and the parliamentarians plan to question...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: That first question about the damage caused by this and whether it is fully appreciated is quite useful. That is a point I have been making. Many people said yes, put up their hands and said that a mistake was made and that it has been acknowledged. Some people said we should move on but obviously we cannot move on when we see the particular situation on the ground in Northern Ireland. As...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Senator McDowell raised important questions and some of them can be answered relatively straightforwardly. It is a bilateral agreement between Britain and the European Union. However, we are fully part of the implementation committees, the joint committee and the special committee, on the protocol. Added to that, there is ongoing, significant contact, not only between Ireland and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Clearly that did not happen on this occasion and we simply cannot afford for it to happen again. The Senator's engagement here and the making of these extremely strong points will be heard in Brussels and, indeed, in European capitals and will help to have a significant impact on future decision-making.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The North-South meeting which took place was one of the formal structures on waterways. The North-South bodies are limited anyway, and we would like for there to be more of them. It is important, however, to note that meeting did happen. I share fully the Deputy's concerns regarding North-South relations. It is important to keep everything on an even keel in that respect. This situation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: There is a hugely changed political situation in Northern Ireland, and we see from opinion polling that it is changing all the time. There are many nuances of opinion; it is not one side versus the other. I think we can all agree now that there are significant nuances and a broad range of the public there who want to live decent lives, have prosperity and be able to move around the place....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: An important point, which has been mentioned, is that despite what occurred, which was a major mistake, the European Union and member states have shown extraordinary solidarity with Ireland over recent years. While there was a spectacular mistake two weeks ago, it is important to remember that there has been solidarity. Owing to the engagements we all have with our European colleagues, they...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus go raibh maith agaibh, a Sheanadóirí, as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid inniu. Tá áthas orm freagra a thabhairt in ionad an Aire Oideachais atá gnóthach faoi láthair agus gabhann sí a leithscéal. Bhí mé ag caint léi roinnt noiméad ó shin....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no difficulty in passing that message on to the Minister. In terms of what was in the Sunday newspapers, I know that talks still continue today. Clearly, I do not know the provenance of what was in the newspapers at the weekend, but it certainly cannot be the final answer because talks continue and that work has not been completed. The Senator attached the sobriquet "young" to me,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí a chur an t-ábhar seo faoinár mbráid ar maidin. Ireland has very long-standing connections with Hong Kong and a strong Irish community there. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been closely monitoring political developments, in particular the implementation of the national security law adopted in June of last year.These...