Results 1,201-1,220 of 1,687 for speaker:Eric Byrne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (7 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: What about the story of the pregnant woman in the bank in Greece? Is there a problem acknowledging the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (7 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: That is the Christian in the Deputy coming out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (7 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: Mr. Mitchell, MEP, called for optimism and I agree. Then we heard Mr. Murphy, MEP, advocate the kinds of demonstrations we see throughout Europe, the aim of which is unclear to me. As he is a member of the international trade committee, I was hoping he might have addressed an issue of concern to me, which is the proposed trade agreement between the EU and the US. Perhaps he might come back...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (7 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: Latvia - I was not too far away. Latvia is applying. There are 11 countries signing up to the financial transactions tax, which means that many of them are not. The EU has decided its budget, which is lower than anticipated. The Euro sceptics in Britain are applauding this as a victory to have reduced spending. We are talking about optimism and solidarity, which go hand in hand. Does...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (7 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: We have them every week.

Order of Business (7 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: The Opposition took two hours just talking about that.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: We are trying to keep the show on the road after your lot.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: It is hard to take.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: I formally join with members in sending deepest sympathy to the people of Venezuela on the tragic death of Hugo Chávez. In the light of the debate we have just had on oil and gas, he did the complete opposite; he used the wealth of his country to better the lot of the poor. I do not think there are many oil oligarchs in Venezuela. I wish to join others in the expression of sympathy to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Motion (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am anxious to hear from the European division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Motion (6 Mar 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am one of the signatories of the motion and was provoked into supporting it having heard an impassioned and intelligent presentation by Mr. Browder. I addressed the motion to the issue of human rights, which is ranked by the committee as a very important aspect of its work. I was also interested because the matter coincided with events that were happening around another man, Mr. Mikhail...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (28 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: There is the question of the shift in world capitalism. I believe Britain is going through this crisis because of its old historical might in the world, which is on the wane. Is there an argument that the centre of capitalism is moving more to the east, to China and Asia, and does that impinge on the strength or weakness of Europe?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (28 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: During the referendum on the fiscal treaty last time around, people were being attacked even though they voted for the fiscal treaty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Ireland's Role in the Future of the European Union: Discussion (28 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I will throw my hands up and surrender at the outset, because I am the apprentice on this committee. I am only here courtesy of a lad in the Labour Party who refused to do what the Whip told him, so I will jump in at the deep end. I acknowledge the seriousness with which Seán Whelan made the last few points on the need for reform. The largest democracy in the world, India, used...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: Presumably there are many precedents. If all these other parliamentarians are pushing motions, perhaps we can mimic them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I broadly support the proposition. We, as a committee, should support the proposition that we do something and should ask, in turn, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to use the platform of the Presidency. I would like to caution that this is more about legislation to affect human rights abusers internationally and there is danger in just...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I thank Mr. Browder for coming here. I read up on the case and I am very interested. In a sense, it is historical or coincidental that Mr. Browder happens to be here just after the debate we have had on human rights with Amnesty International and the role of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. I congratulate Mr. Browder for acting far beyond the call of duty to a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I am coming to the question. The United States of America, which has brought in the law, has had retaliation already by way of the adoptees. Could Mr. Browder explain why, in all of those countries Mr. Browder listed that he visited and where the parliamentarians apparently acted, the governments seem not to have acted? Mr. Browder was in Russia in the same period of the debate about the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: I thank both witnesses for their appearance today. I have read their submission which effectively asks this committee to support the recommendations from Amnesty International Ireland for the Irish EU Presidency. Having read them all, I find there is no recommendation with which I disagree. However, I need some illumination on some issues. I will start with human rights defenders. This...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Eric Byrne: Excuse me, Front Line Defenders. I am mixing Front Line Defenders with Human Rights Defenders.