Results 981-1,000 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission; his views on same and the upcoming meeting in April; if it is envisaged that this meeting will go ahead in view of the unfolding events in Ukraine; the persons who are the members of the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 304. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 26 March 2014, when the appeal decision will be made; the length of time this process will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15329/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I agree with Ms O’Loughlin on the lack of awareness of European institutions and regional development. She made the point that the European Commission Representation in Ireland should be doing more in creating such an awareness. Will she expand on this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: Is the Committee of the Regions interacting with Commission representatives here?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: It would be good if the Commission’s representatives travelled the country to raise awareness of European institutions and regional development.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I will be brief. I welcome the Minister of State. It is an ambitious programme. As he will be aware, some of the cynics out there would say that they would prefer if the IMF-EU were still here monitoring us and regaining our independence to them is a doubtful achievement. There is a challenging time ahead to prove the cynics wrong, and that we can commit ourselves to a development plan...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: Perhaps I should have made my comparison with those who operate in the private sector. Not only does VHI pay them huge fees but they also also receive top-up payments. There is no control over what they may demand from a patient.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I thank the witnesses for a thought-provoking presentation. I must admit at the outset that economics is my weakest point. However, I take particular note because I am a member of the Labour Party, which is the junior coalition partner in government, and because many challenging points have been raised that effectively are criticisms or requests for the Government to do more or to do...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: ----- with a major company who made strong allegations about the role of Ireland. As parliamentarians, we are very defensive of the Government's policy on a corporation tax rate of 12.5%. We are highly supportive, through the Irish Aid programme for example, of aiding and abetting the countries mentioned by the witnesses. While Ms O'Neill mentioned the practice in Tanzania, we discovered...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (1 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: As Irish Aid is supporting Ms O'Neill's organisation, perhaps her organisation is the voice of the country in this respect.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Employment Support Services (2 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 129. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 25 March 2014, if she will outline the budget allocation for each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15459/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (3 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the rapidly moving developments in Ukraine and the commitment of the OSCE to engage in both an observatory capacity and an election-monitoring capacity, the reason his Department is sending one long-term observer to Ukraine for the forthcoming presidential elections; if he will reconsider this position as the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Deposit Interest Rates (8 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 82. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the 2014 rate of 41% DIRT is not just applicable from January 2014 but rather can be applied to savings schemes set up in 2013 or earlier years and which become payable in 2014 thereby penalising persons who may have signed up for savings schemes when the DIRT was at a lower rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15990/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Debt Restructuring (8 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 113. To ask the Minister for Finance the options available to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 8 regarding a write down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16304/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I resent the comments of Senator Norris. It is a pity he was not here to hear what we had to say about the invitation. I will rehearse my position so he will know and can be better informed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: It must not have been important because he was not here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (9 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I suggested that the Dalai Lama and his entourage were big enough to be able to make whatever political approaches they wish to any politician throughout the world. I doubted that he needed the intercession of Senator Norris to convey his views. The record stands that this committee is always open to requests to receive delegations, and they will be treated with due respect and diligence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I welcome Mr. O'Donnell. I deeply respect his accumulated knowledge and his experience as ambassador and placements throughout the world. I am fascinated by his contribution. It is my belief that I have not, as a politician, engaged in any previous issue that has been so divisive on the propaganda field. A horrendous propaganda campaign has emanated from the east by the Russians. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I have a quick question on that analysis, bearing in mind the circumstances if there were no Eastern Partnership and no engagement in the process. Is Mr. O'Donnell suggesting that Mr. Putin was going to move in any case, irrespective of the Eastern Partnership's activities and Europe trying to get them to sign the partnership agreement?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I ask the Chairman's indulgence. Could we get an answer about the presidential election? Could Mr. O'Donnell give me his analysis? What does he think can or will be achieved if it is allowed to take place? There is no more important aspect of democracy than parliamentary elections.