Results 861-880 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: That is unfair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: No lies were told by this Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Bloody Seanad.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I am sorry but could Mr. Staunton give me his opinion of the add-on of trade to foreign affairs?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I thank Mr. Denis Staunton for his contribution. I have read his paper. I will start with the last part, which states that none of what he says is of any use unless financial resources are available. He was critical of the decision to close the embassy in the Holy See. We also closed the embassies in Timor and Tehran. I am concerned that we may quickly forget the economic crisis...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Presidency Priorities of Greece: Ambassador of Greece (16 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Unfortunately, I am a member of both this committee and the foreign affairs committee. The foreign affairs committee meeting is starting at 2.15 p.m., so I will not be here for the presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Professor Tonra mentioned France in passing. Should we advocate for a position in our national parliament similar to that held by Hélène Conway-Mouret in France? Would there be benefits to that? She lobbied for votes for the French diaspora and is now sitting at Cabinet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: As there are only two members, I knew I was going to be the next speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I find myself concurring with many of the opinions expressed so I will keep my contribution short. We pay lip-service to the diaspora. The Gathering was one thing but I mentioned my embarrassment at having to rely on the French to go in and do humanitarian work in Africa. I mention my embarrassment as an OSCE short-term oberver - as a citizen and not as a politician - seeing countries...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: I welcome Mr. Dorr whom I have never met but whom I hear on radio all the time. I have nothing but sincere and deep admiration for his comments. I have done my best to absorb his full contribution and I have several questions. I am not sure how to present a review of foreign policy and external relations in six or ten bullet points so that foreign policy is changed. How one actually...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: Would it be possible to fit them all in the one go?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: We are at the end of the queue and because of the long contributions we will be left with the smallest contributions.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: 342. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used to qualify for payment for supplementary welfare allowance; the amount that is actually spent on items such as these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55296/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: 925. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Dublin Tourism Office, which was run in the old church in St. Andrew's Street by Failte Ireland; the plans to replace the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55407/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eric Byrne: 926. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy on the tourism offices in Dublin for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, specifically at St. Andrew's Church, Dublin; the reason these services are being discontinued; whether there is now an emphasis being placed on private operators and tour guides as opposed to public bodies, such as those referred to;...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Annual Report 2012: Discussion with European Court of Auditors (17 Dec 2013)

Eric Byrne: The European Court of Auditors is responsible for auditing all member states of the European Union. As Mr. Cardiff stated, we are moving towards the 2014-20 programme and a question arises about the financial commitments for previous years in respect of which funding remains unspent and which will likely lead to additional mistakes. If it is anticipated that there will be mistakes as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Annual Report 2012: Discussion with European Court of Auditors (17 Dec 2013)

Eric Byrne: I thank Mr. Cardiff for his presentation. I must confess it is the first time I have had to look at the report, so perhaps he can bear with me. I am an urban Deputy, as he can probably tell from my accent. I mention that because there are urban myths about farmers and fraudulent activities. There are classic myths of ear tags going missing or being transferred. The horror of all horrors...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Annual Report 2012: Discussion with European Court of Auditors (17 Dec 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am just giving the urban perspective. They may or may not be myths, but the perception exists. It worries me because the most frequent error is over-declaration of land area by beneficiaries. Is it cute hoorism, so to speak? There is an urban myth that so-called cute hoorism occurs on an awful scale in rural Ireland. Is it accidental or is it the classic accidentally on purpose...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Annual Report 2012: Discussion with European Court of Auditors (17 Dec 2013)

Eric Byrne: I walk on State-owned lands.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions: Discussion with International Criminal Court (17 Dec 2013)

Eric Byrne: Are the Americans or Chinese going to contribute?