Results 8,481-8,500 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I wish to raise two issues. I ask the Leader to provide time for debates on the jobs plan and the new agreement the Government has signed with the IMF. The major issue that appears to be taking up the time of the Government, when it should be focusing on job creation, is the closure of the embassy to the Holy See. The Tánaiste is being completely intransigent in not moving on the decision...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Why has it not been facilitated?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: There are significant differences between the media and Fine Gael.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Government agreed to do that; the IMF did not ask.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: We had a good candidate to spend it on.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is not what the Taoiseach said yesterday; he said it would be next Tuesday.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is not this side.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is many of the Minister of State's backbenchers.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl don Teachta Éamon Ó Cuív maidir lena mháthair a fuair bás, Eimear Bean Uí Chuív, iníon dheireanach Éamon de Valera. Tá brón ar pháirtí Fhianna Fáil agus cuirim ár gcomhbhrón in iúl. I welcome the Minister of State and his robust defence of the Croke Park agreement and robust challenge to those involved in it to continue it to its...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: They have not because in the other House this morning the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, continually blamed Fianna Fáil. The reality, however, is that over the last year the Government has had time to plan for these changes and deal with them. I welcome the fact that both Government parties have now taken over ownership of the Croke Park agreement because it was a...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: It is no wonder that some Government backbenchers are opposed to it because they probably think it is part of the country's ruination. The Government must take this matter in hand and take responsibility for cuts in services and the lack of strategic planning that is evident from what has happened recently. It is unacceptable to make policies on the hoof. We need more of these debates to...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is stark language.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I would like the Minister of State to describe the transition teams that were set up to look at change. When were they set up, who are they and what is their role?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: They are back to where they stood at the general election.

Seanad: Battle of the Boyne Site (8 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I will outline briefly the need for this playground project, which got the go-ahead under the Minister of State's predecessor, Dr. Martin Mansergh. East Meath is devoid of community facilities, although they are starting to come on stream. The Battle of the Boyne site, which is a major tourism attraction, provides the perfect opportunity to construct a playground for the benefit of east...

Seanad: Battle of the Boyne Site (8 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: That is mixed news. I am slightly concerned that the decision will be reviewed when the tenders come in but I am heartened by the commitment shown by the Minister of State. A contribution by Meath County Council is reasonable. The council has had major difficulty in securing sites for the provision of playgrounds, particularly in the village of Donore, the nearest village to the site. It...

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: What about the Senator's comments in The Sunday Times?

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator says one thing in The Sunday Times and another-----

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: I also heard in the debate that the nearest school to Leenane is about 20 miles away.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

Thomas Byrne: When the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, was a member of the Progressive Democrats, he supported our Governments through thick and thin.