Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Mr. Gibbons for his service and the work he and his team have done around Tourism Ireland. I wish him the best in his new role. I also acknowledge the work of all of the witnesses. Even though this is a challenging time for the tourism sector, I wish to thank the providers for all they have done in tourism provision and in responding to the humanitarian crisis. Some operators have...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I would appreciate that. If the concerns of this committee are taken on board and the balance is struck, that would be correct. Mr. Kelly used an interesting phrase when he said we are "under" hotels in Ireland. This is part of the broader challenge we face regarding housing and accommodation. In an optimal situation, how many more hotels or hotel bed nights do we need nationally and...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: It is about getting the short-term letting provision correct as well.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Over 5,000 rooms are needed, ultimately. Perhaps Ms Campbell can answer my next question, as she mentioned the energy support scheme. I know from talking to hotel owners that energy costs are the big issue. The scheme has been amended, but are there any specific changes to the scheme that Ms Campbell thinks would be beneficial to the sector? This committee is also responsible for the...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I can give Ms Campbell examples of hotels with a multiple of that also.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: The Government has been responding but I am curious about whether other changes should be made to the scheme.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I am not sure who would like to respond to my question on culture.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: The importance of that should not be underestimated. We should also first incentivise filming in the regions. The regional uplift policy was critical and I am aware that it was discussed at this committee. It is a question of the agencies liaising with Screen Ireland on the importance of the regional uplift.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: We have had some discussion of short-term lets but I am reassured by the fact that over the next nine months, there will be a period to reflect on the concerns expressed by the committee, so I hope they will be addressed as part of that. I expect the Chair will probably offer his accommodation on Airbnb to Joe Biden's secret service in the coming months. The issue of career paths and...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion (29 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: As Senator Cassells said, there has been very active engagement. We are conscious of the impact that Covid-19 and the conflict in Ukraine have had on the tourism sector, and we have been very supportive. We will continue to engage in that dialogue. I am going to make a political point here that the witnesses will not be able to comment on. They may notice that the engagement in these...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: A Chathaoirligh, I wish to echo the compliments of others to you on your remarks for President Biden's visit here last week, and to compliment the staff of the Houses on their wonderful organisation of a wonderful occasion. The Leader will be aware that over Easter, there was a lot of discussion around the racist abuse of a Wexford sportsman, and indeed a national sportsman, Lee Chin. Lee...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Who will perform the ceremony?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank all of the witnesses for sharing their stories and congratulate them on their successes. I listened to the point on having experience in an office and knowing one definitely did not want to work there. My first summer job was picking strawberries at home in Wexford. That assured me I did not want to have anything to do with horticulture or anything like that. In respect of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: My next question is related to further education and training. From their studies, do the witnesses think the education system values how we learn in a wide variety of ways? Is there too much focus in the education system on the academic side? What is the perception of the witnesses?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: The Future of STEM in Irish Education: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: How important are extra curricular activities such as the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition to a student's individual personal development? I ask the witnesses to draw from their personal experiences as much as their research.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Higher Education (20 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter. I welcome from the National College of Ireland, Ms Gina Quin, president, and Dr. Deirdre Giblin who are here for this issue. I appreciate the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, is taking this on behalf of another Department. However, as a former education spokesperson, he is familiar with the work of the National College of Ireland, NCI....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Higher Education (20 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate he is taking this matter on behalf of another Department. However, it is almost a case of “tell me something that we do not know” because this is very clearly what is laid out within the legislation. What I am asking, and I would ask the Minister of State to take it back to the Minister, Deputy Harris, is that we need to know the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I raise the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza. He is a politician and journalist based in Russia and an opponent of Vladimir Putin. He has now been jailed for 25 years simply for speaking out against Putin's regime, pointing out the folly of his war and identifying what is going on in Russia. We are very fortunate in this country. We may have plenty of reasons to disagree with Government, but...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Apr 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that, but I am tired of us not standing up to racism and xenophobia and her comments were totally unacceptable. I made the point that in my party, and I am quite certain in the Deputy Leader's party or any other party, action would be taken against a member for that.