Results 1,661-1,680 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The guillotine was rarely used in previous terms of the Seanad. There is a specific commitment in the Programme for Government to have at least a week-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: -----between Second Stage and Committee Stage and between Committee Stage and Report Stage. That rarely happens. I acknowledge that the situation has slightly improved. The commitment to reform by the Government side has been shown for the sham that it is.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is smoke and mirrors. The impression of reform has been given but things have got far worse. Never before in the history of a European democracy have Members of Parliament been told by their Government not to speak. It is incredible and never before has it happened. Shame on Fine Gael and the Labour Party for allowing it to happen. Little more needs to be said. I hope that the Seanad...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, is nobody from the Government offering? Some of them did complain.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: They were banned.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Hear, hear. It is a shambles.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is unconstitutional at the least.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The enforced silence.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We support this Bill as it is necessary, although it is not perfect. My main concern is that I do not know whether our Government and other governments are doing enough to advance solutions to finally resolve this matter. There have been suggestions involving eurobonds, common banking regulation and a common fiscal set-up within the European Union, or at least the eurozone. These are not...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Senator Norris can be entertaining at times but he is also boring on occasion.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am not sensitive.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: This is not perfect and much more needs to be done by the Government. Nevertheless, it is worthy of support. The last referendum result indicated that many people who oppose Europe are doing so for short-term political gain rather than the interests of the country. It seems this Bill deals with an insurance policy for the country, and although it is not perfect, no policy provides a...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Senator Cullinane raised the issue of rent allowance and that was not ruled out of order.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Former Deputy Pádraig Flynn is back.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Unfortunately, for the Senator, it is approximately eight months too late.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State has opened up a range of issues to which I feel duty bound to respond and I will do so as quickly as possible. I say this with all due respect to the Minister of State who has made a persuasive case to the House and who will rebut points made by some of the Senators on this section, but there are a number of issues that I must address. What the Government gave through...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State raised this issue and I am responding to what he said. The sale of State assets is an invention of the Government, it has nothing to do with the troika agreement. The Government has told the troika that it wants to sell State assets and the troika has stated it can put so much of the proceeds towards investment. I wish the economy was growing. The Minister of State is...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I am responding to points the Minister of State made.

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Thomas Byrne: If others were allowed to raise the issues of rent allowance and house insurance, I will refer to issues that the Minister of State raised on the section.