Results 8,421-8,440 of 9,844 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: The Deputy asked me a security question at the start. That would be better addressed by the Minister for Justice or the Minister for Defence. I do not think they would answer him either, though.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have to let them do their job. On Hungary and Poland, we will continue our discussions with them. There is an election in Hungary on Sunday. We will let that happen. We do not want to interfere in that. As I understand it, the Hungary rule of law report is up for discussion at the next General Affairs Council in Luxembourg next month. We will be having that discussion very soon. On...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: The Deputy would have to ask the Hungarians that question. To be fair to them, they have fully lined up with decisions that have been taken by the European Union which have required unanimity. They have done that. They have their own history with Russia and the USSR as well. I do not think we should underestimate that either, despite different commentaries. Hungary has an election this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: It is, yes. Bosnia is always under active discussion, particularly at the Foreign Affairs Council and European Council. I am meeting my Croatian counterpart in a couple of hours. This will be on the agenda as well. On gas, there is no proposal like the one the Deputy mentioned. There is possible joint purchasing, storage mechanisms and increased storage and other routes for supply such...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I am not going to add to that speculation because there is genuinely nothing on the table in that regard at the moment. We do not want to cause any fears or runs. I can speak to what I see happening, and I have spoken to people involved in it, which is that countries are buying up gas from other places and trying to ship it in. There are pipelines as well that may be under-utilised from...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Why is there a ban in Northern Ireland on the burning of turf? In large parts of north Europe it is illegal to burn turf.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: It is particularly fitting that today's statements coincide with a most important anniversary, that is, the 50th anniversary of when Ireland voted 83% in favour of joining the then European Economic Community, EEC. Support for our EU membership has been consistent since then; in fact, it has increased to 88%. The Government's EU50 programme this year will provide opportunities to reflect on...

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: That is not correct.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have spent more.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have done a lot more.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have had some interesting contributions, but to be honest, at some points this debate has been a fact-free zone. I refer to Deputy Michael Collins and funding for piers in Cork this year from the European Brexit adjustment fund. He came in and made a point that a pier was not funded, when only a few weeks ago the most money ever was given to piers in Ireland, including Cork and his...

Seanad: Europe Day 2022: Statements (11 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: It is very fitting that today's statements in the Seanad and yesterday's statements in the Dáil coincide with the 50th anniversary of the week in which we held a referendum in Ireland to join the European Economic Community, EEC, as it was known at that time. We voted by 83% in favour and why would we not do so? It was a huge opportunity for us. There was also the reality that our...

Seanad: Europe Day 2022: Statements (11 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I am delighted to be here in the Seanad, listening to the debate. As usual with these debates, there have been many facts aired but also some fake news. Senator Flynn was giving us stark facts about the European Union and how ethnic minorities and the Traveller community have been protected by the Union. They continue to be and I pay tribute to the chief executive of the European...

Journalists in Conflicts across the World: Statements (24 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí uilig as an díospóireacht chuimsitheach inniu maidir le hiriseoirí in áiteanna ina bhfuil coimhlint iontu timpeall an domhain. I add my condolences to the families of Shireen Abu Akleh and Pierre Zakrzewski and his colleague Oleksandra Kuvshynova. They are three of the most well-known journalists who have been killed in...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (25 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Tá áthas orm a rá agus a fháil amach gur foilsíodh an Bille aitheantais agus teanga inniu i dTeach na dTiarnaí i Londain. I am really happy the identity and language Bill has been introduced to the House of Lords. We wish that safe and successful passage as soon as possible. Many Deputies raised it and is ábhar an-tábhachtach é seo. No language...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Senator Murphy for raising this matter and for his ongoing strong representation and lobbying for St. Teresa's Special School. I will outline to the Seanad the current position on this major building project. It is included in the Department's construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. Under...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. Tá a fhios againn go léir gur ceart bunreachtúil ceart an bhunoideachais sa tír seo agus is ceart an-thábhachtach é sin. Tagann sé díreach ón mBunreacht agus caithfear an ceart sin a chur i bhfeidhm do gach páiste sa tír seo. Ní féidir le haon pháiste a bheith...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú. I thank the Senator for raising this issue and providing me with the opportunity to address it, on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Unfortunately, he cannot be here to address the issue. Local authorities, as planning authorities, lead the taking in charge...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I appreciate that the Senator is interested in resolving the issue. The Department has a funding programme in place to help resolve it but it will take a number of funding cycles to do so. If there is anything else the Senator wants to say or if she has any other information, she should please feel free to provide it to the Minister or the Department and the relevant officials will consider...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Cultural Institutions (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an Seanadóir. Táim an-sásta a bheith sa Teach chun labhairt faoin infheistíocht tábhachtach inár bhforais chultúir náisiúnta. Under the Government's national development plan, a programme of investment of €460 million, is envisaged to upgrade and reimagine Ireland's...