Results 7,021-7,040 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator is being political by praising his Minister of State while blaming civil servants.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House. While he does fantastic work in his area of responsibility, I would prefer if the Minister directly responsible for this matter was in the House for this debate. As the Minister of State is, in fairness, busy in his own job, it is a pity he has had to come to the Seanad for this debate. I know he was in Brussels during the...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This is a serious point.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, Senator Leyden is making a point of the utmost seriousness about the Government's failure to use its veto when it was proposed the reduce the number of MEPs representing this country. The Government should listen to the point he is making.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I will excuse the Senator.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: A similar direction.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Yes, exactly. In referring to such places, I do not believe they pose a direct threat to town centres and in fact are necessary. However, I understand the Senator has dealt with this issue and I will accept that. I ask the Minister of State to comment on the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012. While Senator Cummins stated that it was due shortly, that Bill was before the House on...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Senators Paul Coghlan, Cummins and Mullins for proposing the Bill. The Fianna Fáil Party will support the passage of the Bill on Second Stage and I hope the Government will do likewise. I ask Government Senators to note my party's view that this is a positive Bill which can go places. While we have a number of issues with the legislation, we are not seeking to oppose it on...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: We are delighted the Senator introduced the legislation and are glad to support it. Out-of-town shopping centres offer significant advantages and people like to visit them. The issue is one of providing balance and ensuring town centres are not placed at a disadvantage. This Bill could play an important role in maintaining activity in town centres. I recall a couple of visits to Albany in...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The general thrust of my amendment is similar to a change being adopted which provides that development plans must receive the support of the majority of councillors representing a local area. Is that principle right or wrong? The municipal district of Kells has seven of 40 councillors on Meath County Council, which is a substantial minority. It is only reasonable, if one wants to have...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister referred to certain covenants and protections that are in place. While I have not seen the Land Registry, I understand it shows that the land in question is owned by the town council. It is a good covenant in that the council will not act against the wishes of the townspeople. If there are more covenants I would like to hear about them, because I am not aware of others.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: The officials are willing to work with the Department on this issue.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I am satisfied to the extent that the Minister has indicated he will work with Meath County Council on this matter, about which his Fine Gael colleagues on the council are also concerned. Kells Town Council will meet on Monday night. I will call on all those present to arrive at some arrangement with which the people of the town will be happy. I thank the Minister for his co-operative...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This is the worst-----

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: No; I am totally opposed to it. Senator Cullinane is trying to close down rural Waterford and Connemara.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 64: In page 78, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: “53. Section 183(1) of the Principal Act is amended by substituting the following paragraph for paragraph (b):“(b) at the first meeting of the local authority held after the expiration of 10 days after the day on which such notices are sent or delivered, the local authority may resolve (by a...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: It is a matter for us to discuss them today.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, amendment No. 29 is in the Minister’s amendment.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (15 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I have a point of order.