Results 1-20 of 1,874 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8 be taken ahead of No. 1. This is a Bill that the Fianna Fáil group of Senators is introducing around the protection of retail workers. The Bill would make it an aggravated offence to attack retail workers, particularly where they are carrying out work on behalf of the State, including age verification. It is based on Scottish...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: The Clerk of the Seanad should take note.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: The Leader has a good relationship with the Minister.

Seanad: Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2024: First Stage (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to create specific offences for assaulting or threatening retail workers carrying out their employment.

Seanad: Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2024: First Stage (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I wish to respond to what Senator Mullen has said. Older people and vulnerable people should not be afraid about going into our hospitals. We have an excellent healthcare system in this country. I join with the Minister in thanking all healthcare professionals. When it comes to healthcare, they are the ones to whom we should be listening first. This is significant legislation. Unlike...

Seanad: Loneliness: Motion (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: It is a lonely Chamber, given the topic.

Seanad: Loneliness: Motion (1 May 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Like others, I welcome the Minister of State and wish him well in his new role. I commend my Green Party colleagues on bringing forward this motion. When we think about loneliness, any of those who have ever gone canvassing or knocking on doors will have encountered the case of the door you knock on and the person who wants to keep talking to you. It is not that they are supporting the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Illegal Dumping (30 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. I acknowledge that the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, has been providing a strong lead role, on behalf of the Government, in this area but I am concerned about how long it is taking to put the necessary measures in place to combat the problem of illegal dumping and littering. The Minister of State will be aware I introduced...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Illegal Dumping (30 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: The Minister of State talked about the length of time it has taken to get to this point. The response the Minister has provided to the Minister of State makes it very clear that this is the responsibility of local authorities and that legislation now gives them the power to take action in this space. I would encourage local authorities to act on this basis. Some are telling me that they...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: The amateur theatre community in Ireland is very much alive and is going from strength to strength. I congratulate Kilrush Drama Group which won the all-Ireland confined drama finals in Mountmellick, County Laois, last weekend. The group is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its foundation. For a small drama group to have this success is an amazing achievement. To the the cast, the crew...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: While I have some sympathy in terms of the principle behind what Senator Clonan is talking about, it needs to be remembered that this agency is not just dealing with universities. It is also dealing with research more generally within the State. There are a number of amendments here where I would argue efforts are being made to amend the objects of the agency but which would actually be...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes, I am puzzled about some of the amendments. The bodies specifically named already have statutory functions in the context of in research and innovation. The Bill does provide in section 51 that there shall be engagement with any body that is involved in the promotion and undertaking of research and innovation. I do not see the link with some of the organisations. I do not doubt the...

Seanad: Research and Innovation Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I congratulate Deputy O’Donnell on his new role and I wish him the best of luck as the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW. He has always been willing to come before this House and I am appreciative that he has come in for this Commencement matter. I raise the issue of the Coast Guard station at Courtown. My own...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works (24 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte anseo roimh na scoláirí freisin. I thank the Minister of State for that response. There is nothing new in it bar the last paragraph, and we had heard rumours to that effect. While I appreciate it is at a commercially sensitive point, I ask the Minister of State for assurance that there will be a Plan B, should Plan A fall through on this site. I also ask that...

Seanad: Smartphone and Social Media Use: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2024)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I thank the Minister for being here for this very important debate. I thank the Fine Gael Senators for tabling it. The Minister will recall we had a lot of engagement privately, and in the Chamber, about the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, which established what is rapidly becoming perhaps the most important and powerful regulator in the State,...