Results 1,341-1,360 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

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

Malcolm Byrne: There were some throwaway references to admirals. I do not see any admirals speaking on the programme.

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

Malcolm Byrne: It is important that we respect the office of the President. If, however, the President oversteps with his remarks, he deserves to be criticised.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I will start by agreeing with the remarks of Senator Flynn. I also agree with Senator Clonan. It is really important, more than ever, that we as a country continue to show a welcome to those who are seeking refuge, in some cases from horrific conditions. Part of what is important is that we also talk about the horrific conditions from which these people are fleeing. There are many who...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and congratulate her. I want to support the Bill. I think it is necessary to address the challenges of hate crime and incitement to hatred in Ireland. There are some concerns, however, and they have been reflected by colleagues already. Senator Clonan spoke about some of them. Second Stage is the opportunity during the legislative process to talk...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: My point is valid. You have to be consistent in your point of view. My challenge on this issue is because you are dealing with two competing rights, both of which are exceptionally important rights. We do need to introduce an aggravated offence when it comes to hatred because the purpose of law is ultimately to favour the victim. It is very clear that we have hate crime and hate speech in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (27 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. We have had the two Malcolms mixed up and referred to as each other in the past. I will raise a question regarding what, in the past, might have been regarded as a once-in-100-year climate or weather event but which, unfortunately, as the Minister of State and I know, is happening far more frequently. Last weekend, we saw freak rain and hail...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (27 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I want to praise the local authorities for their response in every case, often under very difficult circumstances. We need to have a much greater awareness on the ground of the kind of supports that exist, almost a one-stop-shop, to be able to move in as quickly as possible. As part of a whole-of-government approach I have become increasingly concerned, for...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by H.E. Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (27 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: It is wonderful to have the governor here. I know she is very proud of her Ballinasloe, Cork and Kerry connections. As I mentioned before, I am from Wexford, the home of that little known Massachusetts political family, the Kennedys. Sixty years ago, John F. Kennedy came here and inspired people. I thank the governor for coming on this trip to inspire people. What she has done to inspire...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the witness for coming before the committee today. I will start by saying that Ms Ní Raghallaigh indicated earlier that the second Grant Thornton review should be completed within four weeks. Ms Ní Raghallaigh, will you give a commitment that you will come back before the committee when the review has been completed and also to answer questions at this stage?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: It seems very clear, and following from the previous set of questions, that Noel Kelly seems almost to be able to dictate contracts to RTÉ and they are simply accepted. I find unbelievable the idea that RTÉ is operating off partially verbal contracts. My next question is for Mr. Lynch. How many people in RTÉ are represented by Noel Kelly?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: What is an approximate figure? Perhaps Geraldine O'Leary or another one of your colleagues knows this.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I find it surprising that the executive board does not know how many people are represented. Who was in the room with Noel Kelly when these contracts were negotiated? Who was in the room when Noel Kelly negotiated Ryan Tubridy's contract?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: The chief financial officer was in the room with Noel Kelly.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Was there anybody else in the room at the time?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: The chief financial officer and the head of legal would have been aware of the contract.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Okay, so we are negotiating the contract for the biggest star in RTÉ and the agent for that person is in the room. The chief financial officer at the time was there and somebody from the legal department was there.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: At the very least the director general's office, the chief financial officer's office and the legal office in RTÉ-----

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: -----would have known in all of these circumstances. The executive board would have had a copy of Ryan Tubridy's contract. How many of the witnesses would have been aware of Ryan Tubridy's contract? Was Mr. Lynch aware of his contract?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Even though you were the one who was charged with ensuring how many hours Ryan Tubridy was on air, and you had to have complete knowledge of all of that, you did not know what was in Ryan Tubridy's contract.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Okay but you just knew that aspect of what Ryan Tubridy was expected to do for his contract and not, if you like, what RTÉ was going to pay him.