Results 7,381-7,400 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Section 1 states “the Government have made a decision”. I am not an expert on English grammar, but I would have thought it should read “the Government has made a decision”. I know not much turns on it, but there is standard language for Bills and the drafters do not get these matters wrong.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Will the Minister set out the reasons for this section?

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Does the language used require the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council to endorse the forecast prepared by the Department?

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am satisfied with that explanation. Any doubt has been removed by the Minister as will be shown when one looks back at the parliamentary debates to interpret the Bill.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: While it is a short Bill, it relates to important aspects of how the Government will plan public expenditure in the next few years and to the role of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. These will play a major part in keeping us on track to leave the EU-IMF programme later this year. We will support any legislation that will help us to reach that target.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Mr. O'Connor touched on the IT system but seemed to hedge his bets. Does he expect the Department to fulfil its assurances?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Has IT delays on the part of the Department of Justice and Equality been a feature of the ISI's reign so far?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The threat of bankruptcy is often quoted as the last line of defence for a heavily indebted person vis-à-vis the banks and the bank veto debate. Is it a realistic threat for an indebted person?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Will bankruptcy applications still be dealt with by the courts system?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Let us say I am a person in debt who is in severe straits and has dealt with the Personal Insolvency Act and its procedures. What if the bank exercises its veto? Many of us have predicted that will happen. What are the prospects of my approaching a solicitor, hiring a barrister and drafting pleadings? Will help be provided to people to whom bankruptcy has been touted as an attractive...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Can someone who wants to declare him- or herself bankrupt walk into the central office in the High Court to fill out the form?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I will not go into the pros and cons of bankruptcy because I do not have time, but there are many cons. If a heavily indebted person wishes to fight the banks and start the process of bankruptcy he or she will need €740 at the very minimum.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I do not know where the person will get the money from. That is the sum without using solicitors and barristers. Most people do not know where the general office is. When I was a solicitor one of my clients received a summons or whatever instructing him or her to enter an appearance at the general office. The person did not know what that meant, but I knew it was a form. People do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: If a person wants to counteract a bank's veto he or she needs €740 immediately in order to get bankruptcy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is unfortunate. The committee should examine ways of reducing the fee. I have another brief question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Chairman is going to cut me off, but I admire his efficiency. Mr. O'Connor answered my question, but I do not know him. Can he outline his professional background? He will be an important figure in Irish society for the next few years.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Mr. O'Connor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Insolvency Service of Ireland: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Someone might think I was getting above myself. The Chairman asked pertinent questions and got to the nub of several issues. I thank Mr. O'Connor for the work he will be doing. He is setting up a new State agency. Many people with whom I have spoken and who are in serious debt problems are waiting to see what will happen. They view the system as hope. They know its faults and failings...

Seanad: Land and Conveyencing Law Reform Bill 2013: Fifth Stage (16 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to speak on Fifth Stage. One can speak on Fifth Stage and we have tabled amendments on that Stage.