Results 1,521-1,540 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Medicinal Products (27 Mar 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I want to raise a number of issues on the record. As I stated, I intend to raise this repeatedly because this is a developing situation. In the experience of my constituent no contact has been made between the Department of Education and Skills and the school involved. I am sure there will be direct contact in that regard with the Department of Education and Skills in that the schools...

Seanad: Privacy Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Mar 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I compliment Senator Norris on introducing the Bill, which seeks to implement a commitment of both the previous and current Governments. I thank the Minister, who is not shy about attending the House, for his excellent and detailed contribution on this issue. Senator Norris's contribution was so good and the Minister's response so positive, yet cautious, that there must be a strong argument...

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I second the amendment. I thank the Labour Party for instigating the debate, which is very useful. I also thank Senator White because she knows more than most people about the challenges facing small businesses. I wish to address a number of issues in this debate and I hope that, if they are not within the Minister of State's remit, he will refer them on. The Labour Party motion mentions...

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am not. I am saying that what the former Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, brought in does not seem to be in effect at present.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and for his continued commitment to debating here. It is hoped this will be an interesting, engaging and honest discussion. I use the word "honest" in the context of our having been told at various points by the Labour Party, although not so much by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, that the IMF is forcing the sale of State assets. I note the...

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I can quote from the memorandum if the Senator wishes.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of information, may I quote from the memorandum of understanding, as was signed originally? It is in dispute in the Chamber.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It states: "Building on the forthcoming report of the Review Group on State Assets & Liabilities the Government will undertake an independent assessment of the electricity and gas sectors with a view to enhancing their efficiency."

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Moreover, it states: "State authorities will consult with the Commission Services on the results of this assessment with a view to setting appropriate targets for the possible privatisation of State-owned assets."

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is all it says about it. It is Labour's way or Frankfurt's way.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I quoted the agreement directly.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Call Deputy Noonan.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I refer to the McCarthy report but I ask if a full inventory has been carried out of all State assets. I know that due to unfortunate circumstances the State bought a pub in Limerick recently. I think the OPW at one point owned a pub somewhere else in Limerick. Such items of property should be sold because they should not be in the possession of the State.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I have a short question about an area for which I think the Minister is responsible. When a company is wound up or struck off, its assets traditionally go to the Minister for Finance, which I presume now means the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Is there an inventory of these assets? Is this something the Department has considered in any great depth? These assets become the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Like shafting single mothers.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is none of our business.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am calling for a debate on stability in the Government. The weekend newspapers gave us a rather unedifying spectacle of a Cabinet and its respective parliamentary parties at war among and between themselves.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The main headlines of The Sunday Times related to Labour Deputies attacking the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. There was another story in which Fine Gael Deputies were blaming the entire Cabinet. The most bizarre story of all was of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, blaming his Minister of State for the problems in the health service,...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Because the country is in such a serious state. When there was instability previously in government, there was a general election shortly afterwards. This instability cannot continue. The country needs stability, an issue on which we need a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I did not hear Senator David Norris. I heard him speak about the issue when I was in the Oireachtas Library earlier.