Results 1,441-1,460 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. The sentiments they have expressed are sentiments I know only too well. I apologise for the absence of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, but I am glad that the director of the passport service has been in the Chamber throughout the debate. Many suggestions have been made by Deputies during this debate. There were some good suggestions and many...

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Three weeks.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: That is only a very small part of it.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: We can find ways around the problem and try to solve it. That is the point I am trying to make.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I agree.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I will clarify that for the Deputy.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I will clarify that.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I did not say that.

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I am not saying that. However, there are some errors. There is no question about it that there are some. People should check the Department website. It is also important to say that we have published estimated processing times. That processing time does not start when you start the application. The processing time for passport applications begins once the correct documents are sent into...

Passport Services: Statements (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I am glad to be able to address the Dáil on this important issue. I apologise for the absence of the Minister, Deputy Coveney. He is abroad on important State business. The passport service has been the subject of much public interest in recent weeks, as always. A passport is a very important document. As a Member of the House, I am fully aware of the number of requests for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Senator Murphy for raising this matter and for his ongoing strong representation and lobbying for St. Teresa's Special School. I will outline to the Seanad the current position on this major building project. It is included in the Department's construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. Under...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. Tá a fhios againn go léir gur ceart bunreachtúil ceart an bhunoideachais sa tír seo agus is ceart an-thábhachtach é sin. Tagann sé díreach ón mBunreacht agus caithfear an ceart sin a chur i bhfeidhm do gach páiste sa tír seo. Ní féidir le haon pháiste a bheith...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú. I thank the Senator for raising this issue and providing me with the opportunity to address it, on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Unfortunately, he cannot be here to address the issue. Local authorities, as planning authorities, lead the taking in charge...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I appreciate that the Senator is interested in resolving the issue. The Department has a funding programme in place to help resolve it but it will take a number of funding cycles to do so. If there is anything else the Senator wants to say or if she has any other information, she should please feel free to provide it to the Minister or the Department and the relevant officials will consider...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Cultural Institutions (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an Seanadóir. Táim an-sásta a bheith sa Teach chun labhairt faoin infheistíocht tábhachtach inár bhforais chultúir náisiúnta. Under the Government's national development plan, a programme of investment of €460 million, is envisaged to upgrade and reimagine Ireland's...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Cultural Institutions (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I again welcome Senator Warfield's interest in these important matters and I echo what he says about us being champions for the institutions that are right beside us, whether it is the National Library, the National Museum, the Natural History Museum or the National Gallery of Ireland. These are very important institutions which are right beside us and having engaged myself with the National...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Inland Fisheries (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: It has not been rephrased in my response. It is there as the Senator has called it out.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Inland Fisheries (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The Senator will have to understand that I am here on behalf of the Minister, who cannot be here. I will simply have to be very faithful to the script in front of me. I am sure the Senator can take up the issues further with the Minister. I want to thank the Senator for the opportunity to clarify these important matters which were raised, of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Inland Fisheries (26 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: I would reiterate that the current review under section 18 does not focus, as the Senator said, on the allegations raised on the Order of Business on 5 May. It does not focus on those allegations which gave rise to subsequent media reports, nor does the section 18 review include other allegations made in an anonymous disclosure earlier this year against a senior member of IFI staff. That is...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (25 May 2022)

Thomas Byrne: Tá áthas orm a rá agus a fháil amach gur foilsíodh an Bille aitheantais agus teanga inniu i dTeach na dTiarnaí i Londain. I am really happy the identity and language Bill has been introduced to the House of Lords. We wish that safe and successful passage as soon as possible. Many Deputies raised it and is ábhar an-tábhachtach é seo. No language...