Results 7,441-7,460 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is too late for them already.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I was quoting Senator Eamonn Coghlan.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Tá brón orm.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I said there will be 71,000.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We stopped repossessions under our original code of conduct.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Our code of conduct held them up before that.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, to delete No. 2, because so far the Leader and the Government have refused permission to allow the Seanad to discuss the revised code of conduct on mortgage arrears. In the absence of that discussion and in the absence of taking that document seriously, the repossession Bill which the Government is putting forward is an outrage. It is about...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: This legislation must be opposed for a number of reasons, the first being the origin of the idea. Last week Senator Eamonn Coghlan wondered whether the idea arose over a pint or a cup of coffee, and for all we know, that is the case. Certainly the idea was landed on a surprised Fine Gael Parliamentary Party in a hotel in west Dublin before a Fine Gael dinner live on television. Therefore,...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Dara Céim (Atógáil): An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed): Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Four weeks.

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I shall not move my amendment.

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister has listened to the arguments that I made last week and I shall chalk it up. The changing of "or" to "and" is an important distinction because there was a danger that collective agreements could be deemed second class in the criteria listed. I am sorry that I did not spot the possibility because it is simpler than changing the entire wording. I thank the Minister and my party...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On the basis of assurances that the Minister gave in the House on Committee Stage last week and, in fairness, on the basis of assurances that his officials gave me, subsequently for which I thank them, I am not going to push these issues. I am not moving the amendments because the Bill does not facilitate compulsory deployment and does not override collective agreements in the public sector....

Seanad: Register of Lobbyists Legislation: Motion (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Fianna Fáil supports the Independent Senators' motion. It is worthwhile that the Seanad would debate the issue today. I had two guests from County Meath in the restaurant at lunch time. I walked from the restaurant back to my office and I met two lobbyists along the way. I greeted them. They are nice people. I have no problem with them. The situation did not just start with this...

Seanad: Register of Lobbyists Legislation: Motion (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I would be delighted to publish my own list.

Seanad: Register of Lobbyists Legislation: Motion (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I would be delighted to publish the list of everyone who visits me except school groups. It is outrageous that Members can sign someone in and they have free access to the Houses.

Seanad: Register of Lobbyists Legislation: Motion (26 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I do not blame officials. It is our responsibility. Former Members are another issue. I believe that will be dealt with in the legislation. That is an issue. They are allowed to come but one could ask what they are doing. There are people the public would not know if they visited the Houses or saw television cameras pointing them out. We must ask what people are doing and why they seem...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Wind Energy Strategy (20 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am moderate about this because we only found out about it about three weeks ago in County Meath so we are still getting to grips with it. That is the position for the public and I would be grateful if the Government would consider that when thinking about the issue.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Wind Energy Strategy (20 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: To be fair to the Minister, his reply has been helpful. However, he should have a public consultation on the review of the planning guidelines. This is especially important given the significant changes in technology that have taken place in recent years. I ask that the companies in question withdraw their projects from the planning process until the guidelines have been reviewed. It...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Wind Energy Strategy (20 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The issue I am raising today is one that is close to Senator Kelly's heart, namely, wind farms and windmills. However, I am not requesting him to stay for this issue. I know his part of the country well and many of the windmills currently in the Roscommon-Sligo area are much smaller than what is being proposed for the midlands, which apparently include large parts of County Meath. This...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Sinn Féin Members will be the subject of international ridicule as a result of voting against this motion.