Results 7,161-7,180 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Electricity Transmission Network: Motion (13 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Senator Mullen for tabling the motion. I also thank the Minister for being here because it is important to have a full debate on this issue. I am not going to go into the technology or health issues, about which I am not an expert. However, I will give the Minister my observations regarding what is happening on the ground, in an effort to be helpful. While the Government can be...

Seanad: Science Week: Statements (12 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this discussion. It is not a debate because most people are of one mind on the importance of science and the welcome role Science Week plays in connecting young people to the area of science. A wide range of events are taking place, with nearly 1,000 events listed on the website. Schools and libraries in County Meath are hosting a considerable...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I do not require Ms Feehily to respond to this but it is worth reminding Members who voted for this legislation that they are the ones who inserted a due date or liability date of 1 November. They are also the ones who put in a return date of 7 November and a payment date on or before 1 January, which is a bank holiday and the seventh day of Christmas. That is what has happened here. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am not seeking a response from Ms Feehily.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I did not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Members of this committee know not to mess with the Chairman. We have all learned that over the past couple of years and it works well. I welcome the witnesses from the Revenue Commissioners and compliment them. I could not put it any better than Deputy Joe Higgins, who was absolutely right in regard to the use of an alibi. I said on local radio this week that these hearings were a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It was not put to the committee whether we would invite the Revenue Commissioners. The Chairman went on television to ask Ms Feehily to come in. We were never asked if the she should be invited. When the Government Deputies legislated for the tax they blamed it on Fianna Fáil, and now this is being implemented, they are blaming it on the Revenue Commissioners. It is completely...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: If one opts for the single payment with a service provider, when can it be done?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Passenger Name Record Data: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We are not going to object to the motion being referred to the committee today but we expect a full but short debate after it has been discussed there.

Seanad: Passenger Name Record Data: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Chair can take it that a debate will be required at that stage.

Seanad: Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 (Amendment of Schedule) (Annex 19 to Chicago Convention) Order 2013: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The same terms will apply to this motion.

Seanad: Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 (Amendment of Schedule) (Annex 19 to Chicago Convention) Order 2013: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, these matters relate to functions of the Seanad where we have equal power with the Dáil. We have no 90 day function, we have equal power. If we do not approve of this motion it does not get passed.

Seanad: Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 (Amendment of Schedule) (Annex 19 to Chicago Convention) Order 2013: Referral to Joint Committee (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is as simple as that. We need to take our responsibility seriously or not exercise it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (7 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I raised it on Tuesday.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Assets (6 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am disappointed with the response. I did not table this matter to attack the Minister's local government strategy but to raise a specific problem that has arisen as a result of it. That problem is acknowledged by all parties in Kells and, indeed, by many of the officials I have spoken to in Meath County Council. I urge the Minister to examine this. I am sure there are similar cases...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Local Authority Assets (6 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a árdú ar an Athló. I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me to raise this matter and I thank the Minister for being present. This is an issue that has an impact countrywide and I wish to highlight one example. I am talking about municipal authorities, in effect,...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: What does it mean in practice that mortgage interest supplement is being phased out? Are there any other provisions the Minister can use to stop payments where ordinarily they would not have stopped, other than the provision being inserted that it should not be paid after 1 January 2018? Is there anything else that can be done to phase it out or is it that it will come to an end, as it...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister listened to my argument.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Thomas Byrne: What does "phase out" mean?