Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreement between EU and Moldova: Discussion (14 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: This is why we miss the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade representative.

Leaders' Questions (15 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Why does his good family not take him home?

Leaders' Questions (15 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: What would one expect from Sinn Féin?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Placement (15 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that many parents are experiencing in accessing second level schools in and around the catchment area of Harold’s Cross, Mount Argus, Kimmage and Crumlin, Dublin; in view of the planned closure of a school (details supplied), if she will acquire the school site with a view to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I welcome Dr. Apals. I have a soft spot for my Latvian colleagues as we have much in common. We have endured a terrible economic crisis. I understand the crisis in Latvia was even more difficult than the one here, and the ambassador has our sympathy. Like Ireland, Latvia has successfully turned an economic corner, and growth this year is estimated to be 5%, which is remarkable. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Yes. It was suggested that, where the issue of people hacking into and stealing secrets was concerned, the main bugbear was China. Then Edward Snowden was able to prove that the Americans might actually have been worse. The North Koreans were blamed for the Sony matter, but someone suggested that disaffected employees were to blame. Given the questions of digital Europe and reputed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Tomorrow. The Minister will present his case for the ratification of the eastern partnership agreements with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: My apologies. Unfortunately, the Chairman had to leave but he has left the running of the remainder of the committee meeting in safe hands. I thank the ambassador and his colleagues from the embassy for a comprehensive and detailed discussion. We wish him and Latvia's Presidency every success. It is a tough, hard-working six-month period. I extend the committee's hopes for a wonderful...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: We will now go into private session.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (21 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to ensure the implementation of the Destination Dublin Strategy 2020 through the Grow Dublin Tourism Alliance; the way in which organisations and cultural institutions can get involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/15]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreements: Motions (21 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I thank the Minister for his reference to my experience of the Moldovan elections but we will not go into that. He has a lovely presentation here and I am sure it is all on the record. If he wants to talk to me privately, I will be very happy to give him my personal view of the elections in Moldova, on which I will touch in my contribution. I welcome the Minister and enthusiastically...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (27 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 432. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the honours allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3391/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Expenditure (27 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 600. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; when all funds will be advanced to this organisation to clear the outstanding balance regarding works carried out on foot of receiving the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3560/15]

Free Trade Agreements between the European Union and Columbia and Peru: Motion (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I am delighted this debate is being held in this Chamber. As far as I am aware, such a debate has never been held with the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. One would think that logically, a European agreement would be debated at that committee. It was only after heavy pressure was put on the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade that we managed to get a debate going at...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: All of my contributions today will be conscious of the fact that Ireland now has a multicultural and diverse society. When I looked at programme A, I noted certain things in particular such as cultural relations with other countries. The Chinese community has done a great job in terms of PR because we will have a Chinese festival to celebrate the Year of the Goat in the next week or so....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Does the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade look exclusively at events that happen outside of the country, thus bypassing the intercultural and interfaith diversity that exists in this country? The Department of Justice and Equality is supposed to fund integration policy but it has no money in the kitty. What is meant by A4, cultural relations with other countries? Can we develop...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: To follow through on the point raised, Cuba is opening up and now would be a good time for our officials to start engaging with it, given that President Obama is opening up relations with it at a rapid pace? I want to go there on my holidays next Christmas, but I am concerned that the Yanks may have booked all of the accommodation available and smoked all of the cigars. On foot of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: The Minister can recognise the potential for increased tourism, a field in which we are excellent.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: We are very good at creating links with Africa. Reference was made to Vietnam and such countries. We can see the economic trend and turnaround taking place in Cuba. We are very good at agriculture and have an excellent basis on which to work with Cuba through the Irish tourism board. Cuban tourism is going to boom out of all proportion. We might consider direct air links, perhaps via...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: While we are praising ourselves for all of the excellent work we are doing, there seems, tragically, to be an increase in the number of Irish people who are giving Ireland a bad name. I have read reports on the need to deport Irish people from Australia. Has the consular service noticed such a trend? What are the Irish doing to give us such a bad name?