Results 1,481-1,500 of 9,820 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The reason I raised the Malmö declaration is that the Deputy asked why it was printed under three stars. The reason, of course, is the great seriousness of that issue, which occurs across the globe and is not related to any specific conflict. The matter of Israel's decision was not on the agenda for the European Council meeting but the Minister, Deputy Coveney, is in the region today....

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Deputy Paul Murphy raised an issue in respect of Sudan, which is very important. The Government shares the Deputy's concerns with regard to recent developments there. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, spoke about that. It is important that the United Nations and the African Union collaborate urgently to respond to developments including by strengthening peacekeeping measures. Ireland is, of...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: No, because I will not have finished answering my questions.

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I am in the Chairman's hands.

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I want to be clear: the purpose of this debate is to discuss what was on the European Council meeting agenda and its follow up. As it happens, this issue was not on the European Council agenda during this summit nor was the issue of fishing, as another example. The idea that Ireland is doing nothing about the Israel-Palestinian situation, as alleged in this Chamber, is completely belied by...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: It is happening in this country.

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: It is very important.

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no problem with that whatever. However, many questions were raised by Members who had to go to other meetings. This slot might provide an opportune time to reply to those questions as well. That was certainly the practice when we sat in the convention centre, although there may have been only one Member left in the entire place. I am in the Acting Chairman's hands.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Reliefs (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Táim buíoch as an deis an freagra seo a thabhairt don Seanadóir. As the Senator has said, there are currently no specific tax-based measures targeted at the owner-occupiers of apartments with defects. However, the programme for Government does commit to examining the issue of defective housing in general. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who generally...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Reliefs (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: As I mentioned, this is possibly the first Government to have a comprehensive approach to the issue of defective housing. The working group is examining all options, including tax. Famously, with the issue of mica, it is direct expenditure which is being looked at and not tax relief because the latter would not be sufficient for the campaigners. The Minister for Housing, Local Government...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Birth Registration (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I gave the Senator a stroke on the ballot paper in his first election.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Birth Registration (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Creachmhaoil. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is in Israel today and has asked me to speak on his behalf. The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for citizenship by descent through the foreign birth register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004. As the Senator will be aware, people may apply for Irish...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Birth Registration (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I will certainly discuss this matter with the Minister and officials in the Department. It is one that comes across my desk from time to time. The passport service is working very closely with the human resources division in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Public Appointments Service, on an ongoing basis to get more staff in. That is the bottom line for the entire system of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farm Costs (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. Notwithstanding what he said about farmers taking the hit, which they often do, there is no doubt that this would have a knock-on effect on food prices and is of general concern around the country. I come from a fertile county and this is no less an issue in Meath than it is in Tipperary, and I am concerned about it as well. There are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farm Costs (2 Nov 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I appreciate the Senator raising this issue. We hope that for fertiliser prices, as we hope for a range of commodity prices, there will be a levelling off of some of the contributing price factors next year. Huge challenges still remain. The initiatives the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has outlined will support farmers in reducing their overall dependence on fertiliser...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Thomas Byrne: -----existing side-by-side in peace and security. That view reflects the mainstream of global opinion.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Thomas Byrne: It is the mainstream of European left-wing opinion too. Some left-wing politicians in this House are completely out of the mainstream. We have to be constantly on our guard about anti-Semitism. It is so dangerous. Issues are being raised at a global level about comments made in this House about Israel.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Mixing the issue of anti-Semitism with day-to-day politics is dangerous.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Thomas Byrne: This is something that we must be clear and have a full stop on. We have a proud record in this country of our dealings as an honest broker in the Israel-Palestine situation in support of a peaceful solution that protects all of the people of that region.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The European Council will take stock of preparations for the November Asia-Europe summit, the Eastern Partnership summit, the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, in Glasgow and the UN Biodiversity Conference, COP15. The European Council will discuss preparations for the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting, ASEM, on 25 and 26 November. This biannual summit will bring together...