Results 6,841-6,860 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

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...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: If the Government side succeeds in having the motion before us passed, will the amended motion come before the House? Will a related motion come before the Dáil? Senator Aideen Hayden should note that the title is the joint committee on certain aspects of the banking crisis. While the Senator is technically correct, there is no doubt that this is the committee that will discuss the...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The tent will be reopened in Leopardstown.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Will we hear more about ice cream?

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Deputy Kehoe demanded that the meeting in question should take place and no one else.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: How many others were here last Wednesday?

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: That is why the Taoiseach stated he needed a majority.

Seanad: Public Service Management (Transparency of Boards) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State's speech is quite balanced except for the last paragraph where the Government and the Civil Service need to get with the programme. The Minister of State said, "While the Government will not be proceeding with this Bill". With all due respect to the Government, it is a matter for the Seanad and Senator Feargal Quinn as to whether the Bill is proceeded with. The...

Seanad: Suspension of Standing Orders: Motion (11 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Senators van Turnhout and Mac Conghail control the balance in this division as well.

Seanad: Suspension of Standing Orders: Motion (10 Jun 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I move: "That Standing Orders for today's sitting be suspended." I want to move a suspension of Standing Orders under Standing Order 159. A short time ago in the Dáil, the Taoiseach stated that in order for terms of reference to be adopted and a mandate to be given to the banking inquiry, the Government needed to have a majority on it and that the matter was now being considered by the...