Results 321-340 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Work Programme 2015: European Commission Representation in Ireland (29 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Is he going to answer my question?

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: The Deputy is using the language of his coalition partners.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: It is military talk.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: All of my contributions today will be conscious of the fact that Ireland now has a multicultural and diverse society. When I looked at programme A, I noted certain things in particular such as cultural relations with other countries. The Chinese community has done a great job in terms of PR because we will have a Chinese festival to celebrate the Year of the Goat in the next week or so....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Does the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade look exclusively at events that happen outside of the country, thus bypassing the intercultural and interfaith diversity that exists in this country? The Department of Justice and Equality is supposed to fund integration policy but it has no money in the kitty. What is meant by A4, cultural relations with other countries? Can we develop...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: To follow through on the point raised, Cuba is opening up and now would be a good time for our officials to start engaging with it, given that President Obama is opening up relations with it at a rapid pace? I want to go there on my holidays next Christmas, but I am concerned that the Yanks may have booked all of the accommodation available and smoked all of the cigars. On foot of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: The Minister can recognise the potential for increased tourism, a field in which we are excellent.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: We are very good at creating links with Africa. Reference was made to Vietnam and such countries. We can see the economic trend and turnaround taking place in Cuba. We are very good at agriculture and have an excellent basis on which to work with Cuba through the Irish tourism board. Cuban tourism is going to boom out of all proportion. We might consider direct air links, perhaps via...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: While we are praising ourselves for all of the excellent work we are doing, there seems, tragically, to be an increase in the number of Irish people who are giving Ireland a bad name. I have read reports on the need to deport Irish people from Australia. Has the consular service noticed such a trend? What are the Irish doing to give us such a bad name?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I agree with the Chairman's comment on the role of the ambassador. To return to the 26 Irish persons being deported from Australia, does the consular service invariably get involved when a government is deporting Irish people? If people are being deported to Ireland from another jurisdiction in which a criminal case has been taken against them, is the Department of Justice and Equality...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I applaud the work of the Department. This section does Ireland proud. It is unbelievable. I want to praise the Minister and his officials. For a tiny country, the contributions we are making in the international arena through volunteers and the security forces, whether military or police, are held in the highest of esteem. It was painful for me yesterday to listen to 19 Deputies vote...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: Under the breakdown of bilateral assistance, the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, will note that Ireland enjoys a good working relationship with NGOs internationally. It is amazing to think that, under the civil society and development education unit, a total of €84 million will be going towards Irish and international NGOs. The Irish will benefit from €65.4 million...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I am asking about human rights issues.

Free Trade Agreements between the European Union and Columbia and Peru: Motion (28 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I am delighted this debate is being held in this Chamber. As far as I am aware, such a debate has never been held with the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. One would think that logically, a European agreement would be debated at that committee. It was only after heavy pressure was put on the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade that we managed to get a debate going at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teachers' Remuneration (27 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 432. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the honours allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3391/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Expenditure (27 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 600. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; when all funds will be advanced to this organisation to clear the outstanding balance regarding works carried out on foot of receiving the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3560/15]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreements: Motions (21 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: I thank the Minister for his reference to my experience of the Moldovan elections but we will not go into that. He has a lovely presentation here and I am sure it is all on the record. If he wants to talk to me privately, I will be very happy to give him my personal view of the elections in Moldova, on which I will touch in my contribution. I welcome the Minister and enthusiastically...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (21 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: 238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to ensure the implementation of the Destination Dublin Strategy 2020 through the Grow Dublin Tourism Alliance; the way in which organisations and cultural institutions can get involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: My apologies. Unfortunately, the Chairman had to leave but he has left the running of the remainder of the committee meeting in safe hands. I thank the ambassador and his colleagues from the embassy for a comprehensive and detailed discussion. We wish him and Latvia's Presidency every success. It is a tough, hard-working six-month period. I extend the committee's hopes for a wonderful...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of Latvian Presidency of European Council: Latvian Ambassador to Ireland (20 Jan 2015)

Eric Byrne: We will now go into private session.