Results 321-340 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (7 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I have regularly raised questions in this House about the school transport scheme. While it was certainly welcome the Minister, Norma Foley, carried out the first review of the scheme, which was published in February of this year, the first review since the scheme was established in 1967, we still need to see some of the detail. I have raised...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Transport (7 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate that he is simply taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Department of Education, but I refer him to the answer I received regarding this issue six months ago. Except for two or three lines, this response is a cut-and-paste of that answer from the Department. Basically, in terms of the pilot, the only thing the Department has announced...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: We are fortunate that we live in a peaceful, safe and successful democracy. When we reflect on the many conflicts going on around the world - the horrors we are seeing in the Middle East, the tragedy that is Sudan and the fact that very shortly it will have been 1,000 days since Putin invaded Ukraine - it should be of serious concern that Russia and North Korea have entered into a mutual...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: How would such a group agree?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Safety (5 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I want to raise the question of support for community rescue boats, in particular Cahore Inshore Rescue Service. It is in a part of the world with which we are both quite familiar. It is a beautiful part of the world with a great deal of wonderful coastline. Cahore Inshore Rescue Service provides a vital service to the north Wexford community....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Safety (5 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the Minister of State’s response. I could also ask about the Courtown Coast Guard unit, but we are specifically talking about the issue with Cahore. I welcome the fact that we have standards for these rescue boats, but in order to be able to meet these standards, we have to ensure the boats are in good condition. There is fundraising for ongoing regular costs, but it is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Nov 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I hope we will be here tomorrow to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Martin Groves and all of the Seanad team and to thank them for their work. It is appropriate that this House acknowledges the passing of David Davin-Power. He was an outstanding, informed, balanced and insightful journalist whose funeral is taking place this afternoon. It is appropriate to mark his passing. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Recently, I met representatives from St. Aidan's advocacy group in Gorey. St. Aidan's provides services for people with intellectual disabilities. The St. Aidan's advocacy group, known as STAAG, represents the clients and users of the services and advocates on their behalf. In the context of the forthcoming election it has called for all political parties to have regard to those with...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Curaim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I again wish to raise the issue of underinvestment in the Dublin to Rosslare rail line. I do so because of growing traffic volumes along the N11. Many car users in Wexford and Wicklow would quite happily transfer to the train if they knew they had a regular and reliable service. Unfortunately, that has not been the case for quite a long time. ...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. While I appreciate he is taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, in summary, there is no real progress, apart from the potential for additional services to Greystones and Wicklow. There is no promise of additional services for anyone south of Wicklow, but rather a promise of a "seamless" transition from trains. Those who will...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo Senator Cassells's comments about the immigrant investor programme. I know of one particular project that is held up and the decision of the then acting Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris, to simply slam the gate shut on this programme was wrong. I raise the importance of local radio today and, in particular, as we approach a general election, we need to ensure we have trusted...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima (23 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I sincerely thank the mayor for his contribution and welcome him to Ireland. I also thank the embassy team, led by our good friend Ambassador Norio. The team has been doing extraordinary work building the strong friendship between Ireland and Japan. That can be measured in many ways. Japan is now Ireland’s fifth largest trading partner. We do €23 billion in trade every...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I, too, welcome the students from Tipperary. I also welcome a Bill put forward by Senator Martin, the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, which was strongly supported by our colleague, Senator McGreehan, on honey bees. In light of events last week, I wonder whether we also need to introduce a honey pot Bill in this House.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: No. I want to raise an issue which is covered by The Irish Times today, the challenge of rapidly growing areas and ensuring there is an adequate number of school places. I raised this issue in the House in a Commencement matter last week. There is a significant problem, particularly in what we might call the wider commuter belts around our cities, ensuring that we have an adequate number...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I will speak specifically to this section. I refer to the case of the National College of Ireland, NCI, which Senator Clonan and I raised on Second Stage. This also applies to a number of other private colleges that are offering level 8 programmes. The challenge with this legislation is that as a result of its enactment, only the graduates of those...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I ask the Minister to allow an intervention. He might raise this with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and ask that he supply to me and other Members of the House an update on that process, particularly as it is critical in the context of this legislation.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: The Leas-Chathaoirleach is buying.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister. I welcome that. I wish Senator Clonan the best of luck in the 2029-2030 Seanad elections when Technical University, TU, Dublin and Dublin City University, DCU, will be included. I would also remind him that-----

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: -----the National College of Ireland is also a northside institution now, so hopefully it will be designated by that stage as well. I would certainly agree with the Minister in terms of the register of electors. Most universities are even moving to that situation now whereby they are ready to encourage people and ask them as they sign up to graduate whether they would like to be added to...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: It is, so I have no doubt that will start to happen. What is being proposed makes sense, but it is the supporting campaigns of information and so on that will be critical.