Results 1,521-1,540 of 9,894 for speaker:Thomas Byrne
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: That is not the responsibility of Ireland. The Middle East peace process is a key priority for Ireland at EU level and on the UN Security Council. Indeed, with regard to the Security Council, which I am delighted has been mentioned on multiple occasions today, it was raised most recently on 19 January. The Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I have given the answer.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: On a point of order, I am very happy to answer questions on this, but it was not on the agenda of the European Council so I am limited in what I can say. If the Deputy wants to table further questions on the specific issue for further elaboration on what I have said, he has the opportunity to table foreign affairs questions for the Minister who deals directly with these issues at the Foreign...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: With regard to NATO and NATO's presence in various countries, we respect the sovereignty of other countries to decide what they want to do for themselves. If Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, almost all the countries in the EU along the Mediterranean and Turkey want to be part of NATO, that is a matter for them. We decided not to be because we have a policy of military neutrality. We are not...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I am not advocating for Ukraine to join anything. Ukraine can do whatever its people and government decide to do. The Deputy talked about NATO expansion; I am talking about countries that decided to join NATO and we must respect their decisions. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and other countries have very good reasons to be in military alliances, if that is their wish. We are not in military...
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: The Deputy supports Ukraine then.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: Does the Deputy support Ukraine?
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: I would.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: For Ukraine.
- Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Jan 2022)
Thomas Byrne: Exactly.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. We believe the offices of the UN special rapporteurs receive adequate funding to allow them to implement their important mandates fully and in an independent manner. As the Senator will be well aware, respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights is, and will continue to be, a...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: The Senator was a special rapporteur at the Council of Europe.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: It is a different forum but it is a similar matter.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: Absolutely.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: The Senator's position of special rapporteur is similar, albeit in a different context.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: The Senator was in that position with his own views and those of the organisations of which he is a member.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I am not saying they are directly comparable and I am not accusing the Senator of conflicts of interest. To be honest, the Senator in this House has accused people of a conflict of interest and I am not clear exactly what the conflict of interest is.I do not believe he has specified it. He has made allegations that people are in the pay of some organisations while also doing the work of the...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I heard the Senator mention the Soros foundation on a number of occasions.
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I am very pleased and happy-----
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: United Nations (8 Dec 2021)
Thomas Byrne: I reject any allegation that I have disrespected the House because I spoke only when it was my turn. I thank the Chair. I am in the hands of the Chair, of course, but I found the ruling difficult. People like the staff I mentioned are doing incredible work. They are representing our country. The person the Senator mentioned is extremely highly qualified. NGOs and private foundations can...