Results 2,081-2,100 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Jul 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: In recent weeks, we have seen from Amnesty International and a number of other global human rights agencies, further details of the continued genocide against the Uyghur people by the Chinese Communist Party. The oppression of a minority, of course, is nothing new. We know how the Tibetan people have been subjected to brutal persecution and repression for decades. We have seen throughout...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Arts Venues and Theatres as a result of Covid-19: Discussion (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank all of our witnesses. It is important that the committee also extends its thanks to all of the groups represented here and the artists and venues throughout the country who have done some amazing and innovative things, as Professor Rafter said, to help us through this period. I will put my first question to Professor Rafter and Ms Kennelly. This follows on from Mr. Kenny's point...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Challenges Facing Arts Venues and Theatres as a result of Covid-19: Discussion (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Mr. McGowan spoke about amateur theatre being the bedrock of professional theatre. I know even from speaking with some colleagues in Leinster House that a number of us have been involved in amateur theatre and musical productions over the years. Whether we could stage a full production with some Members, I do not know, but it could be a challenge in the rebuilding process. We must commit...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on the Restaurant Industry: Discussion (30 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Mr. Treyvaud for his presentation. I know the sector is going through a difficult period at the moment. The comparison is made with indoor dining in the rest of Europe. Mr. Treyvaud is looking at the arguments we need to make. I support the need to move to a situation where we can see a safe resumption of indoor dining. However, we have got to get public confidence behind that. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, for coming in to respond to this issue. We saw that the leaving certificate classes of 2020 and 2021 both experienced enormous difficulties. It was through the leadership of the Department and the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, that we were able to reach an accommodation. I pay tribute in particular to the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (29 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister very much for her reply. I obviously wish her son and the 60,000 other students who are going into leaving certificate year the very best in the year ahead. I know that the advisory group is meeting and that there is student input but the earlier that certainty can be provided to that student group, the better. There has been, as the Minister of State has rightly...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I join others in congratulating the Cathaoirleach. I agree with Senator Burke that there is a big problem with driver theory tests. It is not just the sons of farmers and agricultural contractors but also the daughters who have concerns about the delays. I have been fortunate in recent weeks to take part in a big fundraiser and awareness-raising campaign in County Wexford around motor...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Solar Panels for Public Buildings, Schools, Homes and Other Premises) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and my colleagues for bringing forward this important proposal. We need to look at ways that we can design our homes, public buildings and buildings in a more energy-friendly way. There are a number of other important elements that are part of it. I wish to focus on our education and research system. We need to look at putting much...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (25 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I thank the Minister for yet again coming into the House to debate housing legislation. Senator Keogan was right in one respect, namely, that the crucial issue is supply. The major issue in the context of the whole debate on housing relates to supply and accelerating supply. Senator Keogan was certainly wrong to state that the Government is not...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Making Europe Fit for the Digital Age: EU Commissioner for Competition (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I am conscious the Commissioner, Ms Vestager, is with us, because Danes normally celebrate midsummer this evening. I thank her for giving us her time. I want to talk about the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act because they are, as Deputy Munster just said, related to legislation we are considering here. I will specifically talk about some of the issues we need to address...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Making Europe Fit for the Digital Age: EU Commissioner for Competition (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Deputy Griffin will probably be recruiting many Irish supporters for the Danish team. The Commissioner will be quite happy to hear the cheers. I wish to talk about the need for Europe to be more competitive in the digital age. With regard to one of the challenges, we see Silicon Valley and all the new companies that have been emerging from there. We have not seen the number of digital...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Making Europe Fit for the Digital Age: EU Commissioner for Competition (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Can I ask the Commissioner a question about the digital currency? This is an issue the ECB is considering currently.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Impact of Covid-19 on the Entertainment Sector: Music Entertainment Association of Ireland (23 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Mr. McGranaghan and Mr. Conboy not only for their engagement today but also for bringing together a very disparate sector. I have a question in that regard. As they know, part of the difficulty has been that the voice of the music and entertainment sector has not been at the table because it has not really had a representative body. What structure should be in place to ensure...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the decision of the Press Ombudsman and Press Council of Ireland concerning false statements made about Presentation College, Carlow and its teaching staff last November. It is time some of those who led the attacks on the teaching staff, including the Labour Party, would publicly apologise to those teachers who suffered a very unfair social media pile-on. I also echo the comments...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I am delighted and I hope the Cathaoirleach and all the Members will come to Wexford on their staycation in the months ahead.

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

Malcolm Byrne: I have the some strawberries outside-----

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (21 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and praise him personally. He is quite modest but he has fought for this legislation for a long time and deserves our congratulations for that. Like others have said, the Joint Committee on Climate Action has done enormous work. I also wish to praise the climate strikers over the years. Those young people drew all of our attention to the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (18 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming in. I disagree with Senator Warfield's assertion that this has not been sought by local authorities. Senator Keogan and others in this Chamber, including Senator Cummins, raised some of the concerns relating to county development plans and what has been happening over the past year. The representative bodies for local authorities have sought this. I am very...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Future of Media in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine. I will focus on the legislation we are considering. What do the witnesses see as the primary roles of the new media commission that we are going to set up? Do they see it as becoming a regulator? Do they believe it will also have a role in education and in supporting content creation? My next question relates to the commission's third thematic...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Ms Quill and Mr. Shanley for their work on this to date. They can understand the frustration of my colleagues. I would worry if this Bill were to come before the Oireachtas before we have concluded our prelegislative scrutiny. Many of the key issues we are debating will end up being debated on the floor of the Dáil and Seanad. There are still a number of fundamental issues we...