Results 7,361-7,380 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Financial Sector: Discussion with AIB (3 Sep 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am not criticising what Mr. Duffy is saying but I certainly welcome what he is saying in regard to Priory Hall anyway.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Financial Sector: Discussion with AIB (3 Sep 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Can I follow up briefly on what Deputy Higgins said? I am aware of some other buildings where this is either happening or about to happen, particularly with the pyrite issue. Is the bank aware of this or is it doing anything about it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Financial Sector: Discussion with AIB (3 Sep 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I would hope there would not be conversations between the banks, but the other side of competition law is the dominant position AIB has achieved in the mortgage market. Is the lack of competition in the market and the fact that AIB is getting bigger all the time in terms of drawdowns impacting on AIB's ability to charge a higher standard variable rate?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Financial Sector: Discussion with AIB (3 Sep 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The big issue which has arisen during these proceedings is the fact that 60% of the sustainable solutions have involved legal letters. I am grateful that this matter has been clarified. The position in this regard is disappointing. We will look forward to our next meeting with the bank in order to discover whether it is changing. Many solutions have been offered but very few have actually...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I thank my colleague, Senator Daly, who called for and organised today's debate. I know he has worked very hard with his nominating body, the Irish Kidney Association, on this issue. He has played a key role in this regard for quite some time. There has been a great deal of confusion during this debate. It is fair to say that many Members have not had an opportunity to read the relevant...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The procedure initiated by Senator Daly is the only avenue open to the Seanad and the Dáil to do anything with these regulations. There is no other avenue, aside from the inherent powers of the Oireachtas to legislate. No other statutory avenue to do this is written down. The Senator has adopted the correct procedure. It is interesting to note that the Minister implemented the...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Speaking as a solicitor, I can say that one would not expect one's clients - Ministers in this case - to circulate extracts from advice in such a fashion. It was most inappropriate and disrespectful to the Office of the Attorney General that they were sent around the Oireachtas by e-mail. I think the advice given by the Attorney General is arguable. Senator Daly has adopted the procedure...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is not proper procedure.

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We have no problem with the directive. Our problem is with the regulations.

Seanad: An Bille um Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Cúigiú Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Fifth Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The polls are usually right.

Seanad: An Bille um Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Cúigiú Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Fifth Stage (23 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Bhí ceist a fhreagairt aige as Gaeilge.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I want to give an unqualified welcome to Senator Naughton today. It must be a happy day for her. I remember my first day in the Oireachtas, some six years ago, and it was a lovely sunny day like today. It is an addition to the House to have the former mayor of a major city as a Member, like Senator Cummins and others. I hope she will put her experience to good use in the House. Go...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I second the amendment tabled by Deputy Darragh O'Brien and I take this opportunity to endorse the comments he made yesterday. I am seeking a debate on the subject matter of an article in this morning's edition of the Irish Examiner, which appears under the headline "Debtors protect assets in private trust". The article in question refers to a scheme being operated out of County Kilkenny...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Government's own Fiscal Advisory Council has advised the same.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is often claimed that no Government has done anything on this issue for 21 years. In fact, the Minister did not have to look very far when he was drawing up the text of this section. Much of the same language was used in the legislation drawn up by Fianna Fáil in advance of the 2002 referendum. The same language was used in respect of saving the woman's life, for example. The...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It may be, but we are talking about section 7 at the moment, which relates to the risk-----

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We are talking about amendments to section 7. I am pointing out that I feel-----

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Yes.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am talking about section 7.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: There are amendments to section 7 before us. I am making the point that the amendments to sections 7 and 8, at least, are unnecessary. The provisions of those sections were considered okay when they were included in the 2002 legislation. I do not think the debate has moved on to the extent that those sections need to be amended to provide for even stricter laws, as people are suggesting....