Results 7,581-7,600 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We could be, eventually, but I hope not yet. Officially, there should be some record, at some point after everyone makes their local announcements, to show where the money is spent. If it is just being spent on sewerage or health facilities that should really be paid for out of general taxation, while that may be for the good of the community, it is not what people would imagine when...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister says it is not used to pay down wages, but can it be used for general current expenditure in Departments where that current expenditure should come from general taxation?

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am not alleging any suspicion.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The very fact that Senator Reilly's amendment has been ruled out of order highlights what I am going to talk about on the next section. This money does not go to good causes at all; it goes to the Exchequer for Government decision as to how it is spent. The fact we cannot put down an amendment to direct that it goes to a good cause because it would be a charge on the Exchequer proves the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: This whole idea that good causes were ever ring-fenced is not true. Good causes could never be provided for. The money from the lottery that was supposed to go to good causes goes straight into the Exchequer, or Central Fund, and can be spent by the Government under any of the headings. As I understand it, applying moneys under heading (d), health and the community, would not stop the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It could possibly be a good cause for a rural area but I am sure it is not what people had in mind when they were planning this, although perhaps it is. The money can be used for any such other objectives that the Government may determine from time to time, so the money could be put into any Department. I am not suggesting this is something new-----

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am not suggesting this is something new or that the Government is changing the system radically, because it is not. This has always been the case and the Government from time to time decides it will spend the money on what one would imagine are good causes, such as a specific grant scheme for sports or buses for the elderly or the disabled through the Department of Health. If he wants,...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: We could be, eventually, but I hope not yet. Officially, there should be some record, at some point after everyone makes their local announcements, to show where the money is spent. If it is just being spent on sewerage or health facilities that should really be paid for out of general taxation, while that may be for the good of the community, it is not what people would imagine when...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister says it is not used to pay down wages, but can it be used for general current expenditure in Departments where that current expenditure should come from general taxation?

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am not alleging any suspicion.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is the point. It will put a charge on the Exchequer, because the money does not go to good causes, it goes straight to the Exchequer.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Not agreed.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: That is a different question to that put by the Leader.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Okay, with no guillotine.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: It is not agreed. We are not agreeing to any guillotine of this legislation. I am not trying to delay this. It is a point of principle. We may not need the time, but there should be no guillotine.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: When the Minister speaks about the need for capital expenditure, it is worth reminding him that the Government’s capital programme is significantly less than the one the previous Government signed with the IMF. There was also a significant underspend on capital projects last year. When the Minister makes the point about needing this money from the lottery, he should look at the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: I am going to respond to this, too.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: Above and beyond what was included in the IMF agreement.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: This section is trying to draw back in ministerial responsibility for matters that should be within his or her remit. It has been promised in terms of reform and it is a pity to see matters relating to the national lottery moving away from the scope of parliamentary questions. I listened to what the Minister had to say about the regulator coming before committees. The tabling of a...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Thomas Byrne: On how the regulator will deal with the company which will hold the lottery lease, it seems that, as well as the disclosure of interest, there is a needs for some provision on the interaction of the regulator with the lottery company and how it will deal with that issue. It is inevitable that there will be massive communication between both sides. While it may not be a direct interest of...