Results 1,561-1,580 of 9,810 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)

Thomas Byrne: My role here is not necessarily to answer questions, but I am happy to do that. The Taoiseach has asked me to speak on certain points. It is traditional that after the European Council meeting I come here to answer questions, but I am happy to clarify some issues. We spoke on a number of issues at the General Affairs Council this week, including, for example, the digital green...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)

Thomas Byrne: We spoke in favour of the digital green certificate at the General Affairs Council this week. The Taoiseach will do so tomorrow. On Monday, I met European Commissioner Didier Reynders, who is in charge of this area, to discuss how it is proposed to advance this proposal. It is an important proposal. The Taoiseach wants to make sure we can do all of the work that is necessary on the...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Of course it is about freedom of movement, but that is the position as we currently stand. We are not encouraging any international travel at the moment. Like the Deputy, I represent an airport constituency. I want to see my aviation constituents back in work. I want to see people being able to travel again when it is safe and to have that freedom of movement. I care, and the Government...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The Deputy also does not have a monopoly on the freedoms we all desire. That clears up that issue. On the Istanbul Convention, which was helpfully raised by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Deputy Barry, again, we have issued a strong statement on that matter through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney. Also, at the General Affairs Council this week it was raised under any...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Qualifications Recognition (19 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú ag tús imeachtaí an tSeanaid. North-South co-operation, as we all agree, is an integral part of the Good Friday Agreement and a priority for the Government. It is protected under the protocol on Ireland-Northern Ireland. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Qualifications Recognition (19 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have taken strong note of what the Senator has said on what is a really important issue. There are huge challenges for citizens across a number of sectors, North and South, with regard to the all-island economy. We all agree that those problems caused by Brexit require solutions. We have solutions to some problems, such as the CTA, and we have a trade agreement with Britain which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus go raibh maith agaibh, a Sheanadóirí, as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid inniu. Tá áthas orm freagra a thabhairt in ionad an Aire Oideachais atá gnóthach faoi láthair agus gabhann sí a leithscéal. Bhí mé ag caint léi roinnt noiméad ó shin....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: State Examinations (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no difficulty in passing that message on to the Minister. In terms of what was in the Sunday newspapers, I know that talks still continue today. Clearly, I do not know the provenance of what was in the newspapers at the weekend, but it certainly cannot be the final answer because talks continue and that work has not been completed. The Senator attached the sobriquet "young" to me,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí a chur an t-ábhar seo faoinár mbráid ar maidin. Ireland has very long-standing connections with Hong Kong and a strong Irish community there. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been closely monitoring political developments, in particular the implementation of the national security law adopted in June of last year.These...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Senators for their comments. Ireland and the EU are deeply concerned about the situation in Hong Kong and the implementation of national security legislation. Given our engagement with the region and our responsibility to our citizens there, it is correct that we do so. We continue to raise these concerns directly and consistently when engaging with Chinese and Hong Kong...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le baill an choiste as an gcuireadh chun teacht anseo inniu. Tá áthas orm aon eolas atá agam a scaipeadh. This is my first appearance before the committee since the trade and co-operation agreement was reached between the EU and the UK. I will first speak briefly speak on that before I talk about the issue of the protocol,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: That is probably a better approach. Deputy Calleary has asked some very important and fundamental questions on various aspects of this. On the question of Article 16 being triggered, while we might not be as shocked now two weeks on, the reaction Deputy Calleary shows today is similar to the Government's reaction on the day, namely, one of complete shock and surprise. It is absolutely the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: My apologies. The Chairman should have cut me off.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: I have no problem answering that. The President of the Commission herself has taken full political responsibility for this, and I think that is where accountability lies. Again, I am not running away from the question because I am as concerned as the Deputy. However, I cannot answer for the Commission. It is accountable to the European Parliament and the parliamentarians plan to question...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: That first question about the damage caused by this and whether it is fully appreciated is quite useful. That is a point I have been making. Many people said yes, put up their hands and said that a mistake was made and that it has been acknowledged. Some people said we should move on but obviously we cannot move on when we see the particular situation on the ground in Northern Ireland. As...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Senator McDowell raised important questions and some of them can be answered relatively straightforwardly. It is a bilateral agreement between Britain and the European Union. However, we are fully part of the implementation committees, the joint committee and the special committee, on the protocol. Added to that, there is ongoing, significant contact, not only between Ireland and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: Clearly that did not happen on this occasion and we simply cannot afford for it to happen again. The Senator's engagement here and the making of these extremely strong points will be heard in Brussels and, indeed, in European capitals and will help to have a significant impact on future decision-making.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: The North-South meeting which took place was one of the formal structures on waterways. The North-South bodies are limited anyway, and we would like for there to be more of them. It is important, however, to note that meeting did happen. I share fully the Deputy's concerns regarding North-South relations. It is important to keep everything on an even keel in that respect. This situation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Northern Ireland Protocol (Article 16): Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (9 Feb 2021)

Thomas Byrne: There is a hugely changed political situation in Northern Ireland, and we see from opinion polling that it is changing all the time. There are many nuances of opinion; it is not one side versus the other. I think we can all agree now that there are significant nuances and a broad range of the public there who want to live decent lives, have prosperity and be able to move around the place....