Results 2,361-2,380 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Unfortunately, I have a slight problem. While the DPC is independent, the language the Minister of State is using is pretty much the language we heard in the run up to the financial crash, when people were told that the Financial Regulator and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement were independent agencies and the Oireachtas could not interfere. Ireland is potentially facing a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I formally second the proposal. In doing so, I pay tribute to Senator O'Loughlin for her work on this. She has been a passionate campaigner for the rights. I particularly commend her on moving forward with the Bill. Even though there is a commitment to address this matter in the programme for Government, I share her frustration that it has not been given the priority it deserves,...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Shame.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the remarks of Senator Garvey relating to ASD units. I also echo the remarks of Senator Ó Donnghaile. It was telling that US President-elect Biden called just six leaders last night and one of those was the Taoiseach. I hope that is a sign of the continued strong relationship between Ireland and the United States. I raise the question of the fair deal scheme and the...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Military Service at Jadotville in 1961: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the views of my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin. The Minister will be aware that many local authorities have passed motions and supported this matter because of the interest shown in this House and the other House. I know the Minister is genuinely interested in this but what he is proposing is perhaps not the solution many of us would have sought. I urge the Minister to ask that that...

Seanad: Disability Day Services: Statements (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: It is good to see Senator Currie in the Chair. I note that I am the first male speaker in this debate, which is a message that needs to be sent out from this House. I encourage more of my male colleagues to come in and speak on this issue. I am particularly happy the Minister of State is in this brief. She has a real interest in and empathy for it. I know she visited a number of centres...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber again. An issue arises regarding the essence of our democracy. We have had the opportunity in these Chambers to discuss questions about political funding and outside influences in politics. There are a number of points I want to raise. First, a question has to be asked about the donation of €4.6 million. An issue arises over media probing. I...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Future of Public Service Broadcasting and Impact of Covid-19 on the Media Sector: Discussion (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the three contributors. I echo many of the comments made. At a local level, the contributions of South East Radio, the People group of newspapers and the Gorey Guardian, in my area, have been excellent. At this time in particular, it shows the value of trusted news sources, to which I will come back. I also compliment RTÉ. Deputy Cannon mentioned the lovely montage by Jackie...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Future of Public Service Broadcasting and Impact of Covid-19 on the Media Sector: Discussion (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: The three witnesses might respond on that.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Future of Public Service Broadcasting and Impact of Covid-19 on the Media Sector: Discussion (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: It is a serious issue.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Future of Public Service Broadcasting and Impact of Covid-19 on the Media Sector: Discussion (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the Leader's praise of RTÉ's coverage of the US presidential election, which exhibited public service broadcasting at its best. I think in particular of the montage piece put together by Jackie Fox, Meabh Kearney and Cliona Higgins. It used some footage of Mr. Biden speaking the words of Seamus Heaney and we are only too well aware of the importance of poetry and the arts in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: Like others, I want to pay tribute to Mr. Paul Roche, an amateur genealogist in Wexford, who discovered that Joe Biden's great grandmother, Catherine Roche, emigrated from Taghmon in County Wexford in the 1840s. Today is World Science Day for Peace and Development and we all appreciate the importance of science and evidence-based research in tackling the pandemic and also in dealing with...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: We are all facing the challenges of living with Covid but it is really important that we give people hope. We are going to overcome this. As the Minister of State has said, there is good news about the vaccine. We must develop a strategy that builds on the community resilience we have had to date and looks at communities coming out of this. This is about our artistic, sporting and...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House again. As the Cathaoirleach has said, we are becoming friends in the context of debates on electoral reform. I am very happy to present this legislation to the House on Second Stage. To set it in context, one of the greatest achievements in society since the foundation of the State has...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo Senator Black's comments on the need for continued support for musicians, and those of Senator Bacik, who stated we should send our congratulations, we hope, to US President-elect Biden. I have no doubt the Cathaoirleach will happily welcome him to counties Mayo and Louth, should he decide to make a visit in the coming years.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I return to the questions on the clarity of the guidelines under level 5 and the position on the shooting of pheasants. As the House will be aware, recreational shooters play an important role in managing vermin, pests and predators in country areas. Due to level 5, however, recreational shooting has been stopped. I ask that we get clarity on that and in particular on the possibility of an...

Seanad: Data Protection Regulations: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Data Protection Act 2018 (section 60(6)) (Central Bank of Ireland) Regulations 2020, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 28th October, 2020.

Seanad: Data Protection Regulations: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and explaining, in an honest and clear way, the hallmark of the way in which he operates, that this is simply a technical issue to correct a printing error. I am aware from the notes, but I would be grateful if he would put it on the record of the House that no individual has been adversely affected as a result of this. That is...

Seanad: Data Protection Regulations: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Byrne: I compliment the Acting Chairman. As Senator Warfield said, it is good to see Senator O'Reilly in the Chair. It is long overdue that we have a female Chair for some of our sessions.