Results 1,001-1,020 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I thank the witnesses. The common exercise we are trying to achieve is to get the names of Cyprus, Ireland and Denmark off the European Commission list. It is fascinating to hear about the process in Estonia, which was quick off the mark with regard to electronic voting and using the Internet. It was certainly a regional leader in that respect. Unfortunately, having listened to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: Absolutely; I will always cede to a lady.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I have referred to the Spanish Migrants Association which is lobbying on the issue of voting rights, but I am not sure on which side it is. Perhaps Mr. Garrigues might clarify the position for me. My second question relates to permanency. In Cyprus, once someone has registered, that is it. Perhaps Spaniards are registered until they die. I was drawing a comparison with our system under...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: Technically, anybody can look and see how someone is voting on a computer. If I am being given money by my colleague, he will want to see me vote for the person I am getting paid for. Is that easily done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: That is true and he can also get money from some other fellow. Some people might be tempted by the money. That indicates a weakness in the Estonian system. There is no absolute privacy, whereas in the traditional system someone can vote behind a curtain, alone, and can fold the paper and put it in the box. Nobody can interfere with that.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Clearance Certificates (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 168. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a tax clearance certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17383/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Living City Initiative (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 176. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a situation regarding the Living City initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17543/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Chaplaincy Services Provision (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process whereby the Government issues a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Religious Services (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 493. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the process whereby the Government issue a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17864/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 510. To ask the Minister for Defence the process whereby the Government issue a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17867/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Documents (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 643. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a document entitled, terms of reference Health Service Executive review of Roman Catholic chaplaincy services in partnership with the Catholic Healthcare Commission May 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Government Policy (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 644. To ask the Minister for Health the process whereby the Government issued a policy statement to the effect that all chaplains, that is, those of faith groups as well as those of secular beliefs, be equally accommodated in all respects in Government Departments where chaplains operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17866/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I thank the three witnesses for their contribution which has added to the contribution by the three ambassadors who explained their voting arrangement with their citizens. We will be taking this debate in conjunction with the Irish in Britain group who made a very interesting submission in so far as they raise very stark figures.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: Is it coming in separately?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: The group indicates that in England and Wales alone there are in excess of 400,000 Irish passport holders. The broader diaspora there is between 3 and 4 million. We do not know the figures for Scotland. Across the world the diaspora is probably between 40 and 60 million people. In order for this committee to make a serious recommendation to the Parliament will each of the witnesses...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: We could contact India, the largest democracy in the world, after its election and see if they have any tips.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Voting Rights of EU Citizens: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I am looking forward to the French coming in to explain their position. Will those who propose a reserved constituency explain to me what would happen in a general election? The Commission is talking very specifically about our national elections, not the presidential or Seanad elections. Who wishes to explain to me how one would operate the single transferable vote in a general election,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (16 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: 131. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the options the Garda Reserve and full-time Garda recruits training in Templemore have in swearing allegiance to the State; if they may affirm; if they must use the Bible; the position in relation to non-Christian and non-religious members of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria: Dr. Thomas Pierret (16 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: I am almost intimidated by Dr. Pierret's CV which is probably one of the most extensive I have ever read. It indicates that he is a very keen specialist and he has in-depth knowledge of the subject and who am I to challenge some of his proposals? However, I am a politician and we work in different worlds. Dr. Pierret works in the academic world and mine is in the pragmatic, grassroots...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria: Dr. Thomas Pierret (16 Apr 2014)

Eric Byrne: On that point, the mystery is the role of Russia. Dr. Pierret is talking about the West, and I presume the Americans, engaging but how can they do that if Russia is vetoing their-----