Results 6,161-6,180 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disease Incidence (4 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may be a victim of this syndrome and who has not come forward to go directly to the HSE. They need not approach me, another politician or any local group. Such people can go directly to the HSE and ask that they be interviewed in this regard. The Minister of State has mentioned gastroenteritis, which I believe is associated with Campylobacter...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disease Incidence (4 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: In this case, two neighbours did not know that they suffered from it.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disease Incidence (4 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an deis an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú. Bhí sé ar an sceideal an Déardaoin seo caite ach ní raibh mé anseo in am. Bhí me ceithre nóimead déanach an lá sin. I rise this morning to raise an important issue that has caused considerable concern in the area of Duleek, County...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Did the Leader have correspondence from the Government about not having a debate?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: It was last week but-----

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: It is extremely important. It is on the tip of everyone's tongue today in the country. I believe the Cathaoirleach would agree that the idea that we cannot discuss it on the Order of Business is not a runner. We need to know if the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, was in touch with the Seanad office on this issue and, if so, what was the reply. I assume that if the Cathaoirleach received...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: ------did the Government in this case specifically request that no debate would take place?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I know the Chair has no role in it; I said that.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: That is not the question I have asked the Cathaoirleach. The question I asked him was if he was in receipt of correspondence from the former Minister, Deputy Shatter. That is casting no aspiration on the Cathaoirleach. It is asking if there was an attempt to put him under pressure-----

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: -----as was attempted in the Dáil. Did the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, write to or contact the Cathaoirleach about this, and-or did the Government or the Department of Justice and Equality ask him specifically to do this without debate? The motion, which came under the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the previous day was taken with debate. Why was this very similar...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: It is extremely relevant to democracy and debate in this country. A change was introduced in this House, facilitated by the Leader, to the effect that there would be no more, or very few, guillotines on debates. Unfortunately, one was applied to the debate on water services legislation prior to Christmas but there are far fewer now than there were in the past. This is a House of Parliament...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Again, I raise the issue of the very serious motion before this House last week, which Senator Cullinane rightly raised. It was thrown in at the last minute to be taken without debate. I would like the Leader to clarify - I suppose he has already given an answer - whether the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, was in touch with him. In light of the precedent set in the Dáil - this is no...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, can the Leader and the Cathaoirleach clarify whether the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, wrote to them about this matter in the same manner as the Dáil? In fairness, the Seanad has the same jurisdiction as the Dáil in this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: It is an important matter that has caused considerable debate in the Dáil over the past week.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Thomas Byrne: The Cathaoirleach should answer that question.

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Is there no obligation on us?

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister used the word "minded", but is there a requirement?

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I agree. However, last week I was approached by a representative of a very large company to which employees could not get access because the road had not been gritted. This company will have to register to contact the likes of me or to contact the local councillor. Is that correct?

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

Thomas Byrne: Do I have to ask them if they have registered before they ask me to get the road gritted?

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

Thomas Byrne: I agree.