Results 1,981-2,000 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (3 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for being here to discuss this very important motion. As I have limited time I will be blunt and make six points. A lot of my points relate to the Connecting Ireland proposals that were launched this week, which are quite welcome. One of my concerns is evening public transport. There is a lot of focus on commuters but there is a difficulty. For instance, if...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Governance in Irish Athletic Boxing Association: Discussion (3 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like colleagues, I wish Mr. Treacy well on his retirement. I probably mentioned to him before that one of my fondest childhood sporting memories is watching him rounding the corner in the stadium in Los Angeles. He has made an enormous contribution to sport, both as an athlete and as an administrator. It is important that is put on the record. Mr. Kirwan said boxing is volunteer-led....

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Governance in Irish Athletic Boxing Association: Discussion (3 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am sorry to interrupt but I am conscious of time. Deputy Dillon raised the issues that abound in Connacht. It is the same in other areas. I do not want to rehash that but those people are as passionate about boxing as Mr. Kirwan is. Can they be brought back into the organisation?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Governance in Irish Athletic Boxing Association: Discussion (3 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: This is not an FAI situation. Could Mr. Treacy give us assurances on that?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Aontaím leis an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile agus leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach faoi TG4 agus an ról tábhachtach atá aige. Guím breithlá sona dó. I welcome this afternoon's positive announcement by the Minister, Deputy Harris, on the designation of a technological university for the south east. This is something that our region has been seeking for a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Nov 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister and the other witnesses for their comprehensive presentations. I thank all of the organisations represented here in terms of the great work that is being done in a very transformational way. I would like to put a number of direct questions. On the FET strategy, the retrofitting skills programme started with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Ba mhaith liom cúpla rud a ardú. I share colleagues' frustrations around the delays in the Passport Office, but it is at least processing applications. I want to again raise the fact that the registration of foreign births is listed as paused due to Covid-19. While we are seeing a reopening of every other sector, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues this paused...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: When things were normal, this process took 12 to 18 months. Now, people have been waiting for well over two years. There has been no progress. Quite frankly, given that every other aspect of public life has opened, it makes no sense that the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to pause this service. I am raising the matter again in the hope the Leader will raise it with the Minister...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I will make one response to Senator Keogan. Large sections of Europe have opened up but anyone who travels anywhere in Europe is required to show a vaccination certificate on entry to bars, restaurants and venues. I know that from experience. The Government is, therefore, in line with the rest of Europe in requiring the Covid certificate to be shown and that is the correct approach. I...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Cross-Border Healthcare Directive: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Senator Gallagher probably managed to steal most of the detailed questions, but I enjoyed Ms Donohoe's descriptions of those travelling from Cork and Kerry to the North as being the result of "organised logistical assistance". I will certainly remember to use that phrase in future. Following on from Senator Gallagher's questions and in respect...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Work Permits (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. The reality is that the economy is starting to recover, probably at a more rapid rate than was expected. That is very welcome but one of the biggest challenges we face, if not the biggest, is the shortage of skilled labour. We are hearing that from employers right across the sector. We are very familiar with the shortage of skilled...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Work Permits (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I smile when the Minister of State mentions that the number of applications for work permits in September 2021 represented a 41% increase on September 2020, given that people were not allowed to travel and that we were in the middle of some of the big Covid challenges. I am disappointed, although I appreciate that the Minister of State is answering on behalf of his colleague.The name of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like Senator Craughwell, I too, once again, call for a debate on our policy on China. I remain disappointed by the approach of the Department of Foreign Affairs in regard to the Richard O'Halloran case. It is clear there has been no progress made. It is now a matter of urgency on a whole range of issues, including the genocide against the Uyghur, the treatment of the Tibetan minority and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Like Senator Dolan, I wish all of the participants in the finals of the Community Games well. As somebody who has taken part in activities run by the Community Games, I can attest to the fact that it is a wonderful organisation.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Curiously enough, I won a medal for art.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I wish to refer to a crucial decision that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine must make about the basic payment system. Under the Common Agricultural Policy, as we know, he was successful in that we have maintained a certain level of discretion that allows us to make our own call on the level of convergence. It is important that we continue to support the productive farmers...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this matter. He will be aware the Cassells report was published in 2016. For five years, it has been kicked to touch, but having sought advice at European level, we did get an assurance from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that we will finally come to crunch time - I believe the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the fact that the Department has that report but my question is when we will see publication. It is important we have an open debate on this and that all the stakeholders are involved in the process. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has previously promised that the report would be published this autumn. Given the critical nature of investment in this sector, as the Minister of State...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I will raise again the need for a debate on how technology is changing the world of work and, indeed, all aspects of our lives. I do so in a couple of contexts. The Leader will be aware of the testimony of Frances Haugen before the US Congress. She is the Facebook whistleblower who revealed a number of things many of us have heard about Facebook and some of the other social media...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Ba mhaith liom dhá cheist a ardú inniu. I wish to raise the question of foreign births registration, which is the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Prior to Covid, it took 12 to 18 months to process applications, but during Covid the whole process was frozen. There was no progressing of any of the applications, and anyone who now wants to register a foreign...