Results 7,121-7,140 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We had a vote on that.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Will the Leader clarify what is proposed in regard to No. 4, the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013?

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is fine. As I pointed out last year, the Appropriation Bill is effectively a cheque for €47.5 billion which we are being asked to sign today, just as the Dáil was obliged to sign it yesterday. In the past, however, debate was permitted on the Appropriation Bill, which is a practice that should be restored. It is a dereliction of our duty simply to sign a cheque for...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: You are not. You are cleaning up medical cards by taking them from people.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: A person in a wheelchair and a cancer sufferer came to my office this week about it. Two weeks ago I met a child who has an illness that will end the child's life in a few years, and that child had to battle with the Government and the HSE to get a medical card. That is what is happening.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The health plan for next year was published yesterday. We are due to have a briefing session in private this afternoon, according to an e-mail we all received from the Minister. We should have the debate and the briefing session in this House so the Irish public can know the full details of it and so the Minister and his officials can be questioned in full view of the public, online or in...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to speak generally. My comments are related to the Bill but in a more distant sense. I raised an issue with the Minister previously in respect of the town of Kells. However, I am convinced there are other examples throughout the country where local authorities are sharing. I realise it is in a different context to the amendment. Kells Town Council currently has a substantial land...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister for looking at this. I agree with him that it is a difficult situation. It is difficult to come up with a concept. However, it is incumbent on us between now and Report Stage to do something. I encourage Kells Town Council in particular to put on thinking caps - I will do it myself - to see if anything can be done in terms of trusts. There is a substantial income...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Will the Leas-Chathaoirleach allow me to make a brief query?

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: My question is a technical one relating to the earlier signature motion. If we pass the Bill today, does that not mean it will go to the President immediately and must be signed by him between five and seven days after he receives it, which would be Christmas Eve?

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Are we passing the Bill today or not?

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: In which case the President will receive it on Christmas Eve?

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I was inclined to support an earlier signature motion so that the President could deal with it before Christmas, but I would not want to rush him either.

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Is there any way it could possibly fall to the Leas-Chathaoirleach?

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: As my colleague suggested in the Dáil, we do not have a huge difficulty with this and, by and large, we support it. The issue of sick pay in the public sector has to be dealt with and has been dealt with by all parties talking, agreeing and going before the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission. However, we must ask why this is being rushed through now, before the decision...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I congratulate Mr. Eddie Downey on his election as president of the Irish Farmers' Association. Mr. Downey has proved himself to be a doughty fighter for the farmers of his area and nationally in his previous role as deputy president of the IFA. He will probably recall that one year ago today, he addressed a meeting I organised in his home parish of Slane with the Fianna Fáil Party...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, there is a very serious constitutional issue here today.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We have got through just nine of the 84 sections in the most important Bill of the year. The Bill has been guillotined without debate, which is not what the public voted for in the referendum.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, this House has a constitutional duty to the people who voted to retain us in the referendum in October. Here we are making a fool of the people by not having a full debate on the most important Bill of the year. It is a shame and you, a Chathaoirligh, should not allow this to happen. You should override this decision. It is outrageous. The people are being laughed...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Finance Bill is being rushed through the House with no debate. The people were sold a pup in the referendum.