Results 3,521-3,540 of 9,820 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Topical Issue Debates: Local Authority Funding (24 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: The Ceann Comhairle is making my point for me from the position of independent Chair. I note to the Minister of State that there is a parks department in Kildare. It makes my point even stronger. Meath is bottom of the table when it comes to Government funding. The average per capitaamount is €522 and that has been the case for years. It is not just a recent phenomenon and things...

Topical Issue Debates: Local Authority Funding (24 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I appreciate the answer of the Minister of State that this is being looked at. It needs to be addressed urgently. Hopefully, the review on baseline funding will report by August. I hope this contribution takes into account and represents my constituency which is at a greater disadvantage even than that of Deputy Cassells. Obviously, our concern is for the entire county. In my part of the...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Does the Deputy not have some canvassing to do?

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: He does not even know what he is calling a vote on.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I was in Blackhall Place.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: There have been quite a number of calls from colleagues on this side of the House for the Minister and the Fine Gael Party to consider simply withdrawing this Bill. There are a number of reasons for this, one of which is the Attorney General's advice, which has been quoted, that the Bill is a dog's dinner. The events of last night in this House have very much contributed to that atmosphere...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (23 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 167. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when e-fibre broadband is likely to be rolled out at a location (details supplied). [22743/18]

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: The Irish people will not forgive Fine Gael for letting Sinn Féin-----

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: It is a dog's dinner.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Just call it off.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: Fine Gael has made the Shinners happy anyway. Thanks to it, they have got their hands on the Judiciary.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: They are delighted.

Other Questions: Speech and Language Therapy (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: The Taoiseach said something different earlier so I am glad that the Minister has clarified that.

Other Questions: Speech and Language Therapy (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: It has been a disaster in recent years, so, yes, we are relieved that it is not a disaster this year.

Other Questions: Speech and Language Therapy (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: May I ask a supplementary question?

Other Questions: Speech and Language Therapy (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I have said what I will say about that. He always wants a compliment. Will the Minister confirm that children in the HSE area who are in need of speech and language and occupational therapy will now come off the HSE waiting list and get that therapy in the school? Is that what the Minister has in mind?

Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the changes that are coming in the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016. That Bill will hopefully be before the Dáil next week. We have pushed for it to be passed for quite some time and I really hope that it offers some of these families what they need, which is an entitlement to an education without having to go through bureaucratic hula hoops. It is outrageous. We...

Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: 37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether in the case of a proposed expulsion or suspension of a child with special needs, the section 29 procedure is inappropriate; and his plans for reform in the area. [22704/18]

Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: The forced overuse of the section 29 procedure by parents of children with special needs is a scandal in Irish education. Section 29 is the appeals procedure for refusals to enroll and suspensions and expulsions. Figures I received in answer to parliamentary questions earlier this year show that special needs children are hugely disproportionately represented among those who have to go...

Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (22 May 2018)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome change in this area, but it really needs to be highlighted because this is an issue affecting both mainstream and special schools. The idea that a child with special needs would be expelled from a special school is a cause for shame for our society. The difficulty with section 29 is that it is not the correct system. Schools are put in difficult positions and adversarial...