Results 7,201-7,220 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne
- Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: The Christmas bonus equated to a 2% cut in social welfare payments at the time while the wealthiest civil servants were subject to double digit percentage pay cuts and higher earners had to pay much more tax. There was a fairness across society. People were hurt and they had to pay more but we did not target particular groups. The Labour Party is aware of this. We heard about the loaves...
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: For the Independents.
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: We have already been doing it.
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: I wonder how.
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: It was a nice grenade to throw into the Seanad referendum campaign.
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: Can the Minister not acknowledge that there is no extra cost involved at all?
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: It needs to be made clear that we are not looking for money
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: It was not a criticism of the Ombudsman, but of the Seanad.
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: There was a Dáil debate------
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: Fianna Fáil will be supporting the Bill. In particular we believe the changes to severance pay are needed. There was no reason to have that type of severance pay in the first place. It is a simple change that requires to be made. We also recognise that costs must be saved on the party leader's allowance and the funding to political parties. We accept and will support that but it...
- Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: We should be debating issues as we did yesterday.
- Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: We brought in proper Toyota cars in 2010.
- Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: We brought in the Toyota Avensis in 2010.
- Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: We were the only ones buying cars.
- Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: We voted against the Order of Business.
- Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: Yesterday I raised the issue of not debating the motion to appoint the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, and I was given the excuse that this was discussed at the relevant committee. However, there was a full debate in the Dáil yesterday. The Seanad has equal powers in this function to the Dáil. Why are we handing that power over to the Dáil? We had a referendum a few...
- Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (5 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: Dead right.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: My first question pertains to the motions that are being decided on without debate. The Seanad is recommending Mr. Tyndall for appointment by the President to be Ombudsman and I have no difficulty with Mr. Tyndall. While I understand and hope his appointment was discussed by the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: Has a report been laid before the House because if so, it has not come to my attention? Failing that, a member of the joint committee from the Seanad should report to Members on its deliberations because it is not appropriate to put anything through this House without debate. Again, some of the Seanad's dearly-held powers in respect of the European Union, which were enunciated during the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2013)
Thomas Byrne: Ask the Tánaiste.