Results 7,121-7,140 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I wholly accept the Minister's reasoning. I tabled my amendment even though I knew how he would respond in the way he has and I did not expect him to accept the amendment. I shall outline the simple purpose behind it. Despite all of the tribunals, there is no protection afforded to an elected person who discovers wrongdoing that might disadvantage his or her party and, as a consequence,...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 7: In page 9, line 21, to delete “other public money” and substitute the following:“other public money or any money belonging to a charity registered or operating in the State”.I need a minute. I suggest that Senator Zappone skips ahead and makes her contribution.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I shall speak as the seconder of Senator Zappone's next amendment. She tabled amendment No. 9.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: She can discuss and scrutinise it now.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, line 20, to delete “the period of 5 years” and substitute “each of the periods of 2 years and five years”.I hope Senator Zappone will reciprocate in due course and second the amendment because my colleagues are otherwise engaged. In fairness, the lobby for immigration reform is meeting Members in the House today and I gather that...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, line 23, to delete “that period” and substitute “those periods”.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 4: In page 7, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(j) an educational establishment.”.I wondered when I put down this amendment whether other types of educational establishments which are defined in the Act already should be considered public bodies within the definition. Institutions of higher education are included but schools etc. are not....

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is defined in the act.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am satisfied with that. I knew about the Labour Relations Commission involvement and I am pleased to hear that the Department of Education and Skills will be involved as well. That is important because the education system is a major part of the State and there is occasionally potential for wrongdoing in the educational system. We saw in the House when disclosures were made about...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I second the amendment. The Senator has made a very strong argument in favour of it and I urge the Minister to accept it.

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Banking Sector Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The purpose of this Adjournment matter is to get some clarification from the Government on the proposed role of the KfW bank, a German bank which the Taoiseach mentioned in his speech announcing that the Government would not seek a so-called backstop financial arrangement upon leaving the agreement with the troika and the Commission. KfW is a public interest bank with various roles in...

Seanad: Adjournment Debate: Banking Sector Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: No, thank you.

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is not agreed. If the Minister proposes to bring forward substantial amendments on Report Stage, it does not seem satisfactory that the Bill will be taken on Thursday. I do not know whether there is an explanation for that. I will not hold up proceedings this evening but it was promised that the practice of having only a couple of days between Stages of a Bill would come to an end. It...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: From 1 January, will Independent Members be required to account for the money they receive from that date on? I want a clear answer. The answer the Minister gave was not clear.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am asking a question.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: No. I was making a point on Senator Norris's behalf. I certainly did not intend to be bullying. I was merely asking a question because the Minister's answer was vague.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Not at all.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister has not answered the question. When does he intend to commence the Act?

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It does in September.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: They add up at the end of September.