Results 7,501-7,520 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 6: In page 6, line 26, after "€185,000" to insert "but not over €200,000".I object to the ramming through of the legislation but I would like to deal with more substantive issues on the section and, therefore, I will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I move amendment No. 8: In page 6, line 35, after “may,” to insert “by way of regulation by the Minister”.This section confers extraordinary powers on the Minister to change the terms and conditions of public sector workers. Our amendment seeks to ensure the Minister does this by way of regulation. These powers are unprecedented and provide for different classes...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I was not here.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Will the Minister set out where in the legislation these powers are? That is my next question.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Act states that a power conferred by or under any enactment to fix the terms and conditions may be exercised as follows in subsections (a) and (b). What are these Acts? The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts do not allow the Minister to increase pay; that it is for sure.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister has not said why it is not possible to do it by regulation.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I recognise that the Government is doing much that needs to be done; we do not always agree with the exact direction of it, but the figures overall are agreed. The Government constantly speaks about the external pressures that existed when it came into power. At some point will the Minister list the external pressures he and the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, keep speaking about that...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It was in response to the Minister's comments.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister has something of a cushion, in that he can leave the direct pay cuts to the higher paid. He is not trying to save as much money as was sought under the previous legislation. I am trying to get a copy of the Act, but I would be grateful if the Minister could confirm that the section he quoted-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That would be helpful. I do not know whether it relates to the power of a Minister, as his quote did not mention that. His quote referred to tearing up contracts and I accept that that was what the Act permitted. We will accept the Minister's comments, but he did not answer the question as to why these measures could not have been made by way of regulation, which is a different beast from...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Senator Norris would not have been himself otherwise.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I will make a general point now that the issue has been raised by Senator David Norris. I blame the Fianna Fáil Party for the language used. The Senator wants to remove the influence of the troika, as we all do, but we should not forget that the troika is made up of public sector bodies. The IMF is a United Nations organisation and the European Commission is effectively part of our...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: During our debate on amendment No. 8 I made the point that section 2 gives the Minister very novel powers and takes power away from Parliament. I thank the Minister's officials for briefing me during the Vote and it proved useful. Part of the reason that I called for a Vote was to seek clarification. The Minister did tell me that the 2009 Act contained a similar power or provision. It does...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: In regard to the specific items agreed in the Haddington Road agreement - for example, Sunday pay for those affected by it - if it turns out later in the year, or early next year, that the Minister is not getting the savings he requires, could this section be used by various Ministers? If the Minister for Health has a deficit this year, as he did last year, could he forget the provision in...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator should talk to the parish priest.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We will have a debate on this.

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It has not happened in decades.

Seanad: Diesel Laundering: Statements (23 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Ireland currently faces an epidemic of illegal diesel. There is a huge problem with the sale of illegal diesel, and figures suggest at least 12% of all diesel in Ireland is sold illegally. When one goes to a garage, unless one knows it is wholly owned by one of the major oil companies, one is never 100% certain whether there is some illegal diesel in the tanks. This is not a victimless...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (16 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am grateful to the Senator. I must attend an engagement so I owe her a favour. I also thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his stewardship of the Seanad this week and for allowing me to speak twice during the Adjournment debate. I appreciate his efforts. In County Meath there are significant issues that need a response from the Government this evening or this week. My issue relates to the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Services (16 May 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is what I said.