Results 8,481-8,500 of 9,844 for speaker:Thomas Byrne
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: The European Commission has clearly set out that this does not apply to the occupied territories, full stop.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: With regard to the European political community, Ireland does not want a second-tier system so that will not be happening.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: The details are scant as yet. It is an idea that President Macron put forward. It was up for discussion at the European Council and the conclusions are there from the Council as to what it would be. These are not quite as detailed as the French proposal that was put before the leaders, which I think was published. It is generally an idea to offer a platform for political co-ordination in...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: It is very important. They have heard strong messages from Ireland and it is information that the House is receiving. I have told them that Ireland, the Irish language and Irish culture and identity have thrived in the EU, and that they will be able to do so as well. What the French have proposed is a difficult agreement for them to accept but it is necessary to reach unanimity which,...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: Ireland has been to the fore in seeking justice and peace in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Palestine. We were the first country to put forward the two-state solution.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I can give a direct answer, which was that it was not discussed at the European Council.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I do not want to give him that answer because it would not be fair, but it was not discussed at the European Council. I am happy to refer to the Minister for Foreign Affairs because it comes up at the Foreign Affairs Council on a regular basis, where Ireland is extremely vocal on all of the issues the Deputy raises about Israel and Palestine, and, indeed, at the UN Security Council. As a...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: We will work to have peace and reconciliation between Israel and Palestine. We have always been seen as an honest broker there and we will continue to do that work, but it is done by the Minister, generally speaking, at the UN Security Council and at the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: The Deputy has hit on an important point about corn. Russia is going around the world, blaming the EU for food prices, but there are no sanctions on food from Russia. There are no sanctions on corn and Russia is still free to export it because we do not want to interfere with the food supply. At the same time, Russia is trying to stop the food supply coming out of Ukraine, which is very...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: That issue was not raised at the European Council. The Minister for Defence is the person who might wish to comment on it, but it is common practice for ships to stop at ports along the way. The Canadian ships are not on their way to war.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: In that particular case.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: We are well able to protect ourselves because we do not support the change to qualified majority voting.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: It will need every country to support it, which means it is not likely to happen. Regarding the veto, we are fully aligned in this country with EU foreign policy. There are countries that have unnecessarily held up some important foreign policy statements by way of the veto. We have seen it used in regard to the accession of North Macedonia in a way that is not good for anybody, including...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: Reopening the embassy in Ukraine is something we want to do. It was only officially opened less than a year ago and it was a very important step for Ireland to do so. Its reopening is being actively planned at the moment but it requires a significant number of security considerations and consideration for the welfare of staff, how it operates and so on. It is something the Department is...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: All I can say is there is a huge amount of work going on between the UN Secretary General and Turkey on this issue. That is key. The foundation of the problem is Russia doing what it is doing, including destroying ports. We need to keep reminding people of that. It requires a united response, which we have seen, by and large, in this House as to who is the real cause of all of this,...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: The current situation is a timely reminder of the Common Agricultural Policy and its purpose. It is there to maintain food security as best we can. It was developed in the aftermath of the Second World War when there was food insecurity of a worse scale than there is now across the Continent. What is happening at the moment is potentially very dangerous. The Minister for Agriculture,...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I am confident the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, is doing everything in his power in this regard. I know he would be more than happy to answer that question because he is the one doing the work in this area.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputies for their statements and questions. I will address the issues the Taoiseach indicated I would address, namely, the economic issues and the Conference on the Future of Europe. As is usual at this time of year, the June European Council generally endorsed the country-specific recommendations for this year's semester process. We are broadly happy with the four...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (21 Sep 2022)
Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí Crowe agus Carey. On behalf of the Government, I welcome the report to which the Deputies have referred, Towards an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Clare, which was published by the Clare PPN. Indeed, I welcome the representatives of the network who are here today. We know that the voice of lived experience is essential for good policy and good...
- Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (21 Sep 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I will certainly pass the constructive suggestions and ideas that have been put forward by Deputies Crowe and Carey to the Minister. It is the case in Ireland that social protection budgets over the past number of years have prioritised the introduction of measures that have had and will continue to have a direct and positive impact on poverty in the entire country, and including those who...