Results 7,261-7,280 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: If they change party, are they allowed?

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The adjustment is €3.1 billion, including savings arising from the Haddington Road agreement.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The changes were announced last year and will take effect from January. The Senator should read the budget.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Many families will be affected from January.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Did Senator Hayden read the budget?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (9 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am disappointed by the reply. It would be helpful if the Department and the pyrite board gave this information to homeowners on an ongoing basis. The feeling on the ground is that people do not know what is going on. It is helpful to know what is going on, as outlined by the Minister of State. Inevitably, there will be concern about the delay. Members of the Opposition will give...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (9 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Are they expected next week?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation (9 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to the House. I have had a great deal of correspondence from citizens throughout the eastern region regarding the pyrite remediation scheme that was announced earlier this year. Like everybody, I welcomed that undertaking by the Government to take action to address this issue. However, I was somewhat surprised during the summer when I...

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I found the justification by Senator Keane for breaking the rules by saying that two Fianna Fáil members had already spoken to be extraordinary. I hope this does not happen again. Towns themselves need to rise to the challenge. Kells in County Meath has car parking charges which work to the disadvantage of the town and are a disincentive to doing business in the town. I commend the...

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I have a point to make before Senator Catherine Noone commences. The Acting Chairman skipped an Opposition slot earlier when she called a Labour Party Member to follow a Fine Gael speaker. I do not understand why the rules are suddenly being strictly applied when I am offering to speak.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It seems there are different rules for the Opposition. I hope this is not a return to the Fine Gael arrogance that was punctured at the weekend.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Acting Chairman went from one Government speaker to another Government speaker.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Acting Chairman has not given an adequate explanation as to why a Government speaker was allowed to follow another Government speaker.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: This is not the type of reformed Seanad we on this side of the House have in mind.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The list has not been followed.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I will take my turn. It is fine.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I acknowledge the presence of former Senator, Professor George Eogan, in the Gallery. Professor Eogan is one of our more distinguished predecessors, having led the excavations at Knowth. At the time, he was the first person in Knowth in millennia, and in Newgrange. His contribution to Irish society and this Seanad should be recognised. I thank Professor Eogan. He was in Nobber yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I suggest that the Oireachtas Library and Research Service set out a one-page document on the functions of the Seanad. We have all heard about the 90-day delaying power, which is one of the main functions and powers of the Seanad, but we have a whole range of other powers not just in the Constitution but also in statute. We have to approve much European legislation in the area of justice...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I was delighted earlier this year when the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and the pyrite remediation scheme. Only during the summer did I discover that this requires legislation to establish. I see no sign of the legislation and would like to know where it is. The Seanad would be willing to play its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Financial Transaction Tax: Discussion with Department of Finance (2 Oct 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Yes, but it is on the technical issues relating to how it operates.