Results 8,281-8,300 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I did not hear Senator David Norris. I heard him speak about the issue when I was in the Oireachtas Library earlier.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I could not hear what Senator David Norris was saying, but I heard him five minutes ago in the Oirachtas Library when I was conducting some research. The stability of the Government was a serious issue for the country around Christmas 2010 and into 2011 when there was a general election. There is serious instability. The sight of a Cabinet Minister attacking his Minister of State because...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I was going to use that word, but I was afraid I would be attacked for being sexist. She is a good Minister of State and is not afraid to stand her ground, whether one agrees with her. The Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, has more than met his match in her. It is about time Cabinet Ministers stopped blaming Ministers of State and the Labour Party stopped blaming Fine Gael. They...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We heard that said at a conference last week and I heard it on my local radio station this morning. I want to know exactly what they did or at what point the country was on a cliff and about to fall off that they somehow came and rescued it because all I know is-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We want empirical information. The Tánaiste stated he had thought in March that the country was about to collapse, even though there was stability provided by the IMF agreement.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I want to know the facts and figures in that regard. There were Deputies on my local radio station this morning stating the Government was doing great work, but the unemployment rate is now higher than when it took office. That is a fact.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We want to encourage the Government to do the right thing, but all we hear is talk that it had a 96% success rate on its unemployment strategy last week awarded by itself. The unemployed do not see it this way and it is about time it got real with the people. People are broke and need work. The Government parties must get real and start working together and we will support them. If they...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Even a copy of the letter from the Minister of Health, Deputy Reilly, to the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Shortall.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Do not send the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to Brussels, we want to go up in the polls.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I refer to the McCarthy report but I ask if a full inventory has been carried out of all State assets. I know that due to unfortunate circumstances the State bought a pub in Limerick recently. I think the OPW at one point owned a pub somewhere else in Limerick. Such items of property should be sold because they should not be in the possession of the State.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I have a short question about an area for which I think the Minister is responsible. When a company is wound up or struck off, its assets traditionally go to the Minister for Finance, which I presume now means the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Is there an inventory of these assets? Is this something the Department has considered in any great depth? These assets become the...

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and for his continued commitment to debating here. It is hoped this will be an interesting, engaging and honest discussion. I use the word "honest" in the context of our having been told at various points by the Labour Party, although not so much by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, that the IMF is forcing the sale of State assets. I note the...

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I can quote from the memorandum if the Senator wishes.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of information, may I quote from the memorandum of understanding, as was signed originally? It is in dispute in the Chamber.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It states: "Building on the forthcoming report of the Review Group on State Assets & Liabilities the Government will undertake an independent assessment of the electricity and gas sectors with a view to enhancing their efficiency."

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Moreover, it states: "State authorities will consult with the Commission Services on the results of this assessment with a view to setting appropriate targets for the possible privatisation of State-owned assets."

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is all it says about it. It is Labour's way or Frankfurt's way.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I quoted the agreement directly.

Seanad: Sale of State Assets: Statements, Questions and Answers (19 Apr 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Call Deputy Noonan.

Seanad: Small Business: Motion (28 Mar 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I second the amendment. I thank the Labour Party for instigating the debate, which is very useful. I also thank Senator White because she knows more than most people about the challenges facing small businesses. I wish to address a number of issues in this debate and I hope that, if they are not within the Minister of State's remit, he will refer them on. The Labour Party motion mentions...