Results 8,981-9,000 of 9,823 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas don Aire as teacht isteach sa Seanad inniu. Tá an-tábhacht ag baint le hAire atá chomh gnóthach leis an Aire Airgeadais ag teacht isteach anseo. Cuireann sin in iúl cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá an Bille seo. I want to protest, in the most emphatic terms, that all Stages of this legislation are being taken today. If the Seanad is to become a rubber-stamp exercise,...

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We appointed Matthew Elderfield.

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I was the cheerleader for Matthew Elderfield when the Senator's Dáil colleagues at the time were criticising and castigating him in the local newspapers. I stood up for him.

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Senator should raise his concerns with the bank or the regulator.

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: That is not about the use of the guillotine.

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I will not comment on the substance of the amendment because, given the time allowed, I have not had time to read it, but I accept the Minister's explanation. Nevertheless, when we are rushing legislation through the House like this and there is an amendment several days after legislation was published, it makes one wonder whether there is anything else there, although I hope not. We should...

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I acknowledge the Oireachtas Library and Research Service which produced a brief on the Bill in a short time. Its work is important. It amplifies the point that introducing legislation quickly puts pressure on it, too.

Seanad: Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, in the light of the urgency of this legislation - I protested against the fact that all Stages are being taken today in the Seanad - more Members should be present and, therefore, I call a quorum.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Senator Bacik did not sign that motion.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: They are right to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I suggest Senator Mullins' words will come back to haunt him. When the inspections start to take place, they will be concentrated in places such as east Galway where there has been a history of pollution and there are problems with the water table. It will come back to haunt the Senator when there are no grants available. Everyone wants clean water and expects us to comply with European...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: European law does not require the imposition of a charge. It states a grant cannot be provided to help those unfortunate people who will be unable to upgrade their systems.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to support my colleagues in calling for the Order of Business not to be agreed to. It is an absolute scandal that we are imposing a levy on insurance policies today in a single meeting of the Seanad. It is a disgrace. We are talking about Seanad and Dáil reform, but it seems to be all talk and no action. I will not say anymore about the legislation because I have not had time...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: We tabled a specific amendment to provide that it would not be possible to pass on the levy to policyholders.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: The Government got together with the industry and stated, "Yes lads, we will do that for you, thanks very much." Ordinary workers and pensioners are suffering as a result. The Taoiseach hid these documents from the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It was a disgrace that they were not put before us. The same thing is happening today with the Quinn Insurance levy. We are not getting any documents or background information. That is the sort of new Government we have. It is a disgrace.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: With no fees. The Government is introducing fees; we did not propose that.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: It certainly will not. They are afraid of their lives that they will have to spend ten grand upgrading their systems.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Afraid of their lives. Ten thousand euro is what they are charging.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Sep 2011)

Thomas Byrne: Has Senator Mullins read the decision of the European Court of Justice?