Results 941-960 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Rising Cost of Tourist Accommodation: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I understand Mr. Fenn’s point about last-minute bookings, and colleagues have dealt with that. Let us say I was to look at booking a hotel in Dublin now for a date three months from now, namely, 15 September, which is a Thursday night. What does Mr. Fenn expect I should pay for an average hotel in Dublin in about three months' time?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Rising Cost of Tourist Accommodation: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I accept it is last-minute. Because I knew the focus was going to be on this, I looked at 15 September, which is a Thursday, and it is not a supply issue because there are over 120 properties available in Dublin across a range of the booking sites, and I went onto some of the hotels' own websites as well. There were some very good value bed and breakfasts and some hotels but most of the...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Rising Cost of Tourist Accommodation: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is ironic that some politicians and political parties who object to hotels being built now complain about a scarcity of hotel spaces. Are there other planning measures that would help to assist on the supply side? What does Fáilte Ireland hear from developers? Are there specific planning measures that could be taken? I hear about the time it takes when something goes to An Bord...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Public Service Performance Report 2021: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank all the officials and witnesses, as well as people in the Department and wider agencies. It should be acknowledged that during the Covid-19 period, the services they provided to the sectors they deal with, including arts, sport and tourism in particular, were among those worst affected by Covid-19. Quite a number of the schemes administered by the Department had to be designed...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Public Service Performance Report 2021: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Rinneadh cáineadh ar na seirbhísí rialtais le linn Covid-19 agus bhí tuairisc inné nó inniu ón gCoimisinéir faoi na seirbhísí rialta sin le linn na paindéime. Ar mhaith Mr. Ó Conaire aon rud a rá faoi sin?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Public Service Performance Report 2021: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Gabh mo leithscéal.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Public Service Performance Report 2021: Discussion (15 Jun 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Gabh mo leithscéal faoi sin.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Senator Ahearn will need a bus to bring all the people to visit the school.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Students (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The Minister of State may not be aware of the full history of this particular issue, but it is a problem for international students coming to Ireland and a requirement by the Department of Justice that they must have health insurance. This has been a long-running sore and to say it has been a difficulty is an understatement. I raised the matter not long after my election to this House and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Students (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I am afraid my response is to tell us something that we do not know. The difficulty, as he rightly outlined, is that this has been an issue since the 2018 Court of Appeal judgment. Discussions have been ongoing since that time between the Departments so I do not accept there is any urgency among them about trying to resolve this. The issue had always been...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I, too, welcome Cara Hunter to the Gallery. Yesterday, she spoke profoundly on RTÉ radio in respect of her experience of online abuse during an election campaign. In these Houses last week we launched a report in respect of the abuse of referees, match officials and others involved in sport. Yesterday, Ursula Jacob who, as Members will be aware, is an All-Ireland camogie medal winner...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Scientific Research (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach and I thank the Minister of State for coming into the Chamber to speak on this issue in which I know he has a deep personal interest and passion. As we know, artificial intelligence and machine learning are transformative technologies and are about solving very complex issues. We are already seeing it happening in everything from...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Scientific Research (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive answer. I certainly welcome many of the moves. The engagement with Comhairle na nÓg and with young people will be particularly welcomed. It is important it would be as inclusive as possible to ensure young people understand AI and avail of its opportunities. This is a challenge for wider society. It will transform all of our...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with Senator Carrigy about his concerns with regard to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association. There are serious questions to be answered around governance in the IABA. I am aware the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, is meeting with them this week. The people who I am worried about are the volunteers in the clubs on the ground and the athletes. There are particularly serious...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: In fairness to the Minister, he has made himself available. While I have great respect for Senator Norris, there has been extensive consultation in respect of this legislation with the higher education institutions, the Irish Universities Association, Trinity College and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education. The Minister and his officials have made themselves available to discuss any...

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I do not know who Senator Norris is speaking to but everyone knows there has long been demand for reform of the higher education system. With respect to colleagues, the Act dates from 1971. We are dealing with the higher education system of 2022 and into to the future, not that of 1971 or, with respect, 1592. This is not a question in respect of the academic autonomy of institutions....

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: What has been said is not fair on the Minister or the Deputy Leader because it is trying to misconstrue both of their positions. Senator McDowell is aware of the legislative pressure that exists. If less time was spent on procedural theatrics, both this morning and during this debate, and we actually got on to debating the amendments that are before us, then we could have real discussion....

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The current provision with regard to the authority is that essentially, the Minister, in his discretion, makes all the necessary appointments.

Seanad: Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that, although there are colleagues of Senator McDowell who say we should not be changing things that are 50 years, or 400 years, old, but I agree on the need for some of the changes.