Results 6,761-6,780 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Was there some chopping and changing in respect of An Garda Síochána?

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Thomas Byrne: That is further on?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2014)

Thomas Byrne: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I call for an urgent debate to be arranged on the independent commission on electricity transmission, headed by Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness as chairperson. The commission was tasked with looking at Grid West and Grid Link in terms of an underground solution. I believe an underground proposal for the west of Ireland route was made subsequent to the setting up of the commission. We...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2014)

Thomas Byrne: That is what he tends to do during elections. It is the second time this has happened in north Meath. The issue of wind turbines was treated in exactly the same manner. One thing is said before an election but there is a different scenario post-election. This is a really serious issue. The people of the north east have been treated with disdain and contempt and are now effectively...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Reform) Bill 2014: Second Stage (25 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I pay tribute to Senator Quinn for bringing this important legislation before the House which, I hope, will lead to an important debate on this issue. Fianna Fáil welcomes this Bill as an important contribution to the debate on addressing what is now a serious crisis in health insurance. Health insurance is seen by some people as a luxury for the well-off but the reality is that almost...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion (19 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I rise to express the support of Fianna Fáil for the motion. Section 8 is a very important section of the 2009 Act. I was delighted to be a Member of the Oireachtas which passed the Act. We received the support of Fine Gael at the time, although there was some dispute among the Opposition. Most elements of the political system supported the legislation. Gangland crime is a serious...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: We support the Government in this motion. We wish to send the strong message that the Irish State and its political system is united against terrorism. We understand and recognise that the continuation in operation of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, which was brought in after the Omagh bombing, is a vital legislative tool in the battle against dissident Republican groups...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: What madness drove the Seanad leadership to have statements today on the 750th anniversary of the so-called first Irish parliament? A parliament probably met in Castledermot, County Kildare, 750 years ago today, but we have no idea whether it was the first.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Whether it was a parliament, it bears no relationship to the Parliament or people of Ireland and it had no relationship to the people of Ireland at the time. It was the start of the subjugation of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: A housing Bill has been taken off the agenda, even though there is a massive housing crisis.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Valuation Bill which aims to reduce commercial rates for businesses has been off the agenda for the last year. What is happening about the serious issues and problems the country is facing? As the Parliament, we are abandoning them today to have a history lesson. It is disgraceful, outrageous and a dereliction of duty.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Joint Sub-Committee on Global Corporate Taxation: Assessment of Measures Relating to Corporation Tax in Ireland: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Professor Stewart mentioned the Swiss banks and what had happened in the United States, which involved the taking of a criminal case. Does he see that type of outcome as a possibility in respect of the taxation regimes we are discussing here?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Joint Sub-Committee on Global Corporate Taxation: Assessment of Measures Relating to Corporation Tax in Ireland: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Yes, I understand that. However, Professor Stewart mentioned how the Swiss Banks had a problem of criminality in the United states in terms of tax evasion, money being hidden and so on.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I raise an important issue relating to the development of wind turbines in County Meath. As the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, is aware, negotiations have been ongoing between the Governments in Britain and Ireland to put together a memorandum of understanding on the export of electricity between the two countries, which would result in industrial size wind turbines being erected...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Alternative Energy Projects (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I will just give my views for the record. I do not expect the Minister of State to respond directly. The project seems to be going ahead in a very similar format to what was proposed before the intergovernmental negotiations broke down. It seems to be the case that the Government hopes the intergovernmental negotiations will restart and that an agreement can be achieved. It appears to me...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The usual arrogance.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This decision will come back to haunt the Government.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: It is outrageous to propose that the House pass a motion without debate when it could result in flaws in the banking inquiry. We held full debates on the establishment of the banking inquiry and the Government side is now proposing to amend the motion that established the inquiry. The motion should be the subject of a full debate in the Dáil because it is related to the previous motion...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This streak has been in evidence in the decision being made on membership of the banking inquiry and in the case of the former Garda Commissioner. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, has accused the Taoiseach of illegality in the latter matter. Labour Party Senators are determined to stand behind the Government and remain in coalition despite a serious allegation being made by a...