Results 1,381-1,400 of 9,810 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: That is not correct.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have spent more.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have done a lot more.

Europe Day: Statements (10 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: It is particularly fitting that today's statements coincide with a most important anniversary, that is, the 50th anniversary of when Ireland voted 83% in favour of joining the then European Economic Community, EEC. Support for our EU membership has been consistent since then; in fact, it has increased to 88%. The Government's EU50 programme this year will provide opportunities to reflect on...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Why is there a ban in Northern Ireland on the burning of turf? In large parts of north Europe it is illegal to burn turf.

Government Response to Situation in Ukraine: Statements (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: From the response we have seen from the Government which has been outlined in the House today it is obvious that we, as a State, have done a significant amount so far to support Ukrainian war refugees coming to Ireland for safety while their country continues to suffer an unconscionable attack from Russia. We have reacted quickly in putting processes in place to welcome Ukrainians coming to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an gcoiste as an-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas le baill an choiste as an gcuireadh teacht anseo chun comhrá ginearálta a bheith againn agus chun na nithe a thagann amach as Comhairle na hEorpa maidir leis an bhfreagracht atá ag an Aontas Eorpach as an gcogadh san Úcráin a phlé. Tosóidh mé an plé leis an suíomh mar atá sé maidir leis an Úcráin agus...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: As for the impact of sanctions, the Government's position has always been that Ireland supports the widest possible sanctions on Russia, and indeed on Belarus, including sanctions on energy. There is now a wide commitment to eliminate our dependence on certain energy sources, particularly oil. Sanctions in that case have been implemented really quickly. The first few rounds of sanctions...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputy for his questions. I will answer them in reverse order. The Deputy is correct that we have given support to agencies that are working in Moldova. There is a genuine interest from the Government in helping Moldova more generally. There is comprehensive support from Government. Before Christmas, I met the Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I do not get the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I am not going to get into the neutrality debate because that is a matter for the Irish people. It is fair to say, however, that the context for such debate has completely changed. When it was a case of wars consisting of cavalry battles in Crimea and Ukraine in earlier times, we could stand back and be neutral about such battles on the field. The reality now, though, is that this war is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Russia has been opposed to the EU for a long time-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: -----and it has nothing to do with militarism. It is because we are democracies and concerned with freedom, human rights, economic progress and people doing well. Those are things which Russia does not want or care about for its citizens, but Ukraine does want them. We must have no illusions. Russia has been trying to undermine the EU probably in every member state at various times, and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We have seen it happen in this country too, but we have seen particular examples abroad. I will not name them here. We should be firm and stand up for the EU. It has, effectively, been the greatest peace project ever undertaken, and I am not going to attribute descriptions of it as being a military alliance. Clearly, countries want to defend themselves. When I meet my colleagues from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I will respond later with an answer on that point. What I will say is that the list is really a list of companies, entities and individuals that are sanctioned. It is an extremely long list of those covered by all the various sanctions packages, and it will have changed week by week as those sanctions have been put in place. The International Financial Services Centre is not exempt from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Absolutely. The truth is the majority of businesses, whether banks, law firms or whatever, cannot do business with sanctioned companies because there could be consequences for them professionally. They have been trying to extricate themselves over the last while from doing business with any Russian entity that might be sanctioned. They will not risk that. People are not seeking to get...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We saw in Belarus where Lukashenko was moving people as well. That was effectively a new one. In our discussion on neutrality and common defence, addressing the cyber threat will have to play a big role. We will have to get real about that. We could probably achieve a lot more by co-operating with other countries. We could learn form them and work together but that will all have to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Union Response to the War in Ukraine: Discussion (30 Mar 2022)

Thomas Byrne: On the strategic compass, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, was mianly dealing with that and it was agreed by the leaders last week. Work on the strategic compass has been ongoing for a number of years and, to be fair, Ireland has had a big impact on drafting it and getting involved in the discussion. To be clear, it is not a common European defence policy. It is just to enable the EU to...