Results 1,541-1,560 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I could not hear what Senator David Norris was saying, but I heard him five minutes ago in the Oirachtas Library when I was conducting some research. The stability of the Government was a serious issue for the country around Christmas 2010 and into 2011 when there was a general election. There is serious instability. The sight of a Cabinet Minister attacking his Minister of State because...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I was going to use that word, but I was afraid I would be attacked for being sexist. She is a good Minister of State and is not afraid to stand her ground, whether one agrees with her. The Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, has more than met his match in her. It is about time Cabinet Ministers stopped blaming Ministers of State and the Labour Party stopped blaming Fine Gael. They...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We heard that said at a conference last week and I heard it on my local radio station this morning. I want to know exactly what they did or at what point the country was on a cliff and about to fall off that they somehow came and rescued it because all I know is-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We want empirical information. The Tánaiste stated he had thought in March that the country was about to collapse, even though there was stability provided by the IMF agreement.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I want to know the facts and figures in that regard. There were Deputies on my local radio station this morning stating the Government was doing great work, but the unemployment rate is now higher than when it took office. That is a fact.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We want to encourage the Government to do the right thing, but all we hear is talk that it had a 96% success rate on its unemployment strategy last week awarded by itself. The unemployed do not see it this way and it is about time it got real with the people. People are broke and need work. The Government parties must get real and start working together and we will support them. If they...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Even a copy of the letter from the Minister of Health, Deputy Reilly, to the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Shortall.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Do not send the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to Brussels, we want to go up in the polls.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I rise in support of the fiscal compact. However, my support is heavy-hearted in some ways. My party is full square behind the treaty. I have no difficulty with the technical rules in the treaty. Those who urge a "No" vote have a duty to answer where they were when the six pack legislation was being debated by the European Parliament and Council and in this Parliament, when they had the...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I will explain the reason. However, those parties advocating a "No" vote must explain their silence and perhaps their laziness, their lack of ability to know what was happening in Europe when these measures were being passed and when they were on the Seanad Order Paper. A debate could have been requested. As far as I know, the procedures in the Lisbon treaty could have been raised by these...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I will tell the Senator why I am supporting it. However, the particular issue to which I referred needs to be addressed. I have no difficulty with the fiscal measures in this treaty because they need to be place as we are already subject to a pretty severe programme of adjustment and this will need to be continued even if we are not with the IMF in the future in order to put our own...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: No, I will not withdraw it because I did not refer to Senator Ó Clochartaigh personally but to his party.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It was no reflection on Senator Ó Clochartaigh who during that period, I understand, was a member of the Labour Party and they are blameless, as we keep hearing from them. That applies to Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I praised him.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: This was meant to be a European treaty and Britain and the Czech Republic have vetoed it. When we go forward for another referendum and when we may have the opportunity to use a veto, we have now proven that the veto is worthless, that it makes no difference. This treaty should not have gone ahead, considering Britain wished to veto it. We have come to know and understand Europe and we...

Seanad: Report of Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements (24 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House for this debate and I wish her well in her role. This debate brings back to me the difficult time my party, its members and I experienced in the aftermath of the publication of the Mahon tribunal report. The period in question was very upsetting for us, particularly as people in whom we had placed our faith and whose evidence we had...

Seanad: Industrial Disputes (24 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to speak first. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, for coming into the House to respond. I know the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, is abroad promoting the country, about which I will not complain. My Adjournment matter concerns the strike at the Irish Cement plants in Platin, County Meath and Limerick. Over 100 workers are on...

Seanad: Industrial Disputes (24 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: What has to happen is that the Government must put pressure on Irish Cement to implement the Labour Court's recommendation. The workers have been through the process and the Labour Court has acknowledged that pay costs have reduced significantly. Shift allowances and overtime payments have been withdrawn. While rates of pay are still the same, what workers are taking home every week is...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: A Fianna Fáil idea.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We will agree to that.