Results 2,001-2,020 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

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

Malcolm Byrne: Yes, and I am sure that if Senator Mullen had a ticket, rather than going to Bellewstown, he would be there tonight.

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

Malcolm Byrne: A very serious issue is raised, though, because the night-time industry has been closed for 18 months. Nightclubs have not been open. I refer to the licensing fee legislation and the fact that so many late bars and nightclubs now have to pay for special exemption licences after the difficulties they have been through. Because they have to pay for them in advance, I do not think it is...

Seanad: Interim Report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (30 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Deputy Leader for chairing our Brexit committee. For all my colleagues, it has been a very useful and informative engagement. I thank the Minister and the Department officials for their work. One issue we all felt was important, and I am sure the Minister will appreciate it, is that in the past on the fringes of EU summits, it was always possible for Irish Ministers and UK...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I endorse the remarks of Senator Black around the importance of music and the arts. As she said, it is great that gigs are back and events are starting to happen again. Things have been difficult and we need to support the sector as it reopens. I want to raise the question of pensions. I am concerned by some of the very populist debate that is happening around pensions at the moment and...

Seanad: Housing For All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland: Statements (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming in to take this issue. The crucial question around Housing for All and the document the Government has published is not the reaction in these Houses, it is the reaction on the ground. Since it has been published, I get asked to explain the scheme, how it will work, whether one will be able to qualify for an affordable home in one's position and how the shared...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank both Dr. Whitty and Ms Heaney for their presentations. I have three questions. I am conscious that Dr. Whitty said that 68% of museums in Ireland are independent and community or volunteer-led. Ms Heaney talked about some of our national cultural institutions, which have somewhat of a State cushion. Will the witnesses outline some of the financial challenges those independent and...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Before Dr. Whitty's colleagues come in, did her organisation quantify the scale of the losses to the independent and voluntary museum sector over the Covid period? Some of the national cultural institutions had a cushion.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am out of time but I will ask Ms Heaney or any other witness to say a line or two on how to get more of our museums and galleries open late at night or on the digital offering.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I have a further question which is related. We are coming out of a very successful decade of commemorations but are coming into perhaps that most difficult period of Irish history. We have already seen the controversy around events in Armagh. We are moving into that period of the Irish Civil War and the foundation of the State which is a more sensitive area. What role do the witnesses see...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions: Discussion (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: It might be useful for Members of the Oireachtas to visit that exhibition in Belfast. It could certainly be helpful. My colleagues in west Cork might have more of an interest in the Collins slippers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion with School Management Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I was stuck by what Mr. Irwin said about how, particularly at junior cycle level, the focus has been on the development of skills and competencies, rather than on the traditional focus on getting through the leaving certificate examinations. The students who will sit their leaving certificate in the next number of years will probably not retire...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion with School Management Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with Mr. Irwin. Would any of the other witnesses like to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Quality and Infrastructure and Small Town and Villages Growth Programme: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Chair for facilitating me. I will understandably, given that I am from Gorey, focus on recent events. I am grateful to Ms Attridge and the team who met with me and local councillors in the area on Monday. What has happened has been well publicised. It is critical that we restore trust in the public water system. Trust has clearly been damaged, not just among elected...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Quality and Infrastructure and Small Town and Villages Growth Programme: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I understand that. I am aware of some local difficulties. It is essential that we have that report as soon as possible to restore public trust. If I asked within two weeks, would it be fair to say that a report would be available that would be made public?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Quality and Infrastructure and Small Town and Villages Growth Programme: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that. It is important that it be made publicly available in the next two weeks to restore public trust. I appreciate that and the commitment to meet with me and local councillors. There will also be a HSE report on the scale of the illness, which we anticipate will be produced soon. I understand that when we have both of those, the EPA will review what has happened. Will the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Quality and Infrastructure and Small Town and Villages Growth Programme: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: That will be the independent review. Contrary to what some people have said locally, there is independent oversight of what has happened. I am conscious that we need to make sure that this does not happen anywhere else. Is there an indication of the timeframe for the audit of the largest 20 sites the Minister has requested and then the 800 other plants around the country? We have to ensure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Quality and Infrastructure and Small Town and Villages Growth Programme: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate it will take a bit of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Water Quality and Infrastructure and Small Town and Villages Growth Programme: Discussion (23 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Ms Attridge. There is one concern if we are moving towards a single utility and this is an important question. In the past, if we had a failure or problem with water, as local councillors we were able to call the chief executive of the council or local water engineer to account. If we establish a single utility and an event such as this happens again, which I hope it does not, what...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Screen Ireland (22 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Ms Bergin and Ms Finnegan for their presentation. Ms Bergin said that the priorities for the board during her tenure as chair are capturing the share of the inward international production market, as well as training and skills. I am glad to hear that. The content creation industry is a trillion-dollar industry. In the UK it accounts for 7% to 8% of GDP and over Covid, one thing...