Results 821-840 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Professor Tonra mentioned France in passing. Should we advocate for a position in our national parliament similar to that held by Hélène Conway-Mouret in France? Would there be benefits to that? She lobbied for votes for the French diaspora and is now sitting at Cabinet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Presidency Priorities of Greece: Ambassador of Greece (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Unfortunately, I am a member of both this committee and the foreign affairs committee. The foreign affairs committee meeting is starting at 2.15 p.m., so I will not be here for the presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I thank Mr. Denis Staunton for his contribution. I have read his paper. I will start with the last part, which states that none of what he says is of any use unless financial resources are available. He was critical of the decision to close the embassy in the Holy See. We also closed the embassies in Timor and Tehran. I am concerned that we may quickly forget the economic crisis...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I am sorry but could Mr. Staunton give me his opinion of the add-on of trade to foreign affairs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: That is unfair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: No lies were told by this Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Bloody Seanad.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: How many clinics does the Senator run?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: How many funerals did he attend last year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Mr. Butler might be interested to hear that I read seven eighths of the document, which I found fascinating. It is different to submissions we have received from others to date in so far as he appears to have researched ways and means of this committee being better empowered in terms of holding the Parliament and the Executive to account, which is very refreshing. Mr. Butler has touched on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I believe we heard that point made by a delegation from Sweden or Denmark. That is a very interesting concept. I congratulate Mr. Butler on being so quick off the mark. I was shocked to learn from a press statement covered in The Irish Times that the Government planned a review. This returns me to Mr. Butler's point about the Minister being able to determine policy alone. For example, he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Given that we both read it in The Irish Times, is this the first step toward the publication of a White Paper? Is it envisaged that a White Paper will result from this debate?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (21 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: 692. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a nitelink and air coach service in respect of an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2800/14]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I will begin by asking the Tánaiste why we heard of this announcement yesterday morning? He will be conscious that the members of this committee are dealing in depth with the suggestion that we review the foreign policy and external relations of the Department. I put that on the agenda but I woke up one morning only to read in The Irish Times, which is delivered to my home, that this...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: A country edition.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Will the Chairman allow brief supplementary questions? I only have one.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: May I ask one supplementary question?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Of course, we welcome the opening of the embassies and consulates general. If it is all to happen this year, presumably, the Department must start to recruit senior men and women for these posts.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Given the staffing numbers in the Department and the relevant qualifications and experience required, can it all be done within the year?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: The emigrant support programme is particularly welcomed by organisations in America that are doing excellent work. In addition to providing a welfare element, has the Department considered the ability to engage with the diaspora in a more constructive way in so far as emigrants might be able to vote in elections such as presidential elections? It is very common in other countries, including...