Results 7,081-7,100 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I support Senator MacSharry’s amendment to the Order of Business to allow for a debate on the pylons issue. What have the people of Meath done to this Government that means they are treated as second-class citizens? What is going on is outrageous. Deputies in Meath have shown themselves to be completely powerless and supine to whatever is going on. We now have these Deputies...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: This is a Cabinet decision. The buck stops with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. We are not second-class citizens in Meath and will not be taken as such. There is uproar and consternation in County Meath about this. I am sure it is the same in County Cavan.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I have councillors from Cavan and Monaghan phoning me about this review. There is uproar there too. They feel they are second-class citizens. It is as if the Government is saying “We do not care. Push ahead”. The question is why. Is it to do with the wind farm projects going ahead in County Meath, which are also causing consternation? Is private business pushing this...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Free Education Scheme (28 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: It is clear from what the Minister of State said that there will not be any mandatory charges for day pupils. The Minister can take it from me that there is a real need for this school in that area. A crisis would have occurred this year were it not for the fact that Meath Vocational Education Committee was flexible about Laytown, but that situation was not going to continue. This is...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Free Education Scheme (28 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter regarding Gormanston College, which, according to media reports and public announcements last week, has decided to abandon the fee-paying model. I greatly welcome this decision, as Gormanston College has a marvellous history both in the community and nationally, as well as having a fabulous location. In general, the news has...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I would have called for another amendment if I had known Meath and Cavan were to be excluded from the ESB undergrounding review. I have only just found that out.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Thomas Byrne: I have no difficulty in regard to the Constitutional Convention extension. On that issue, we had Tom Arnold in the House last week, but we have not had debates here on the individual reports. The Leader may correct me if I am wrong about that. We should have debates on them. The Dáil has had extensive debate on the issue, but it is our baby as much as it is that of the Dáil. We...

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

Thomas Byrne: Is the Senator not blaming him for not holding the meeting until Monday? He is the Minister of State.

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

Thomas Byrne: Someone else is to blame for that, of course.

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

Thomas Byrne: Who is the Senator blaming for not holding the meeting?

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...