Results 1-20 of 9,933 for speaker:Thomas Byrne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (10 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: On 25 June, I met the EU Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, in Brussels. The meeting was an important opportunity to set out Ireland’s preliminary views on the post-2027 multi-annual financial framework, MFF, in advance of the proposal of the Commission being published next Wednesday. During this meeting, I called on the Commissioner to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (10 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: It is important to briefly set out the process. The Commission will publish the proposal next Wednesday. Ultimately, it is a matter for the leaders to agree this, in conjunction with the European Parliament. Over the next year and A half, starting on 18 July, governments will discuss the Commission's proposal and, in effect, negotiate it. Next Wednesday's proposal should be seen as the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Meetings (10 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: During the Presidency Ireland will, in effect, be in charge of the negotiations. We will have to act as an honest broker. It is important that between now and then we get our spoke out, so to speak. That is why met Commissioner Serafin at a very early point and immediately after that meeting I met all of our MEPs, all of whom were invited to be briefed on our position. I am more than...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Foreign Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: Today.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (10 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: On 25 June, the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, addressed the Centre for European Policy Studies think-tank in Brussels at an event entitled "Securing the Union: enlargement and the defence of Europe from the Irish perspective". This was an important opportunity to engage with a Brussels-based audience on Ireland's priorities in enlargement and European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (10 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne attended the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 24 June 2025. Ministers commenced the Council meeting by preparing the agenda of the European Council, which took place in Brussels on 26 June. The agenda for this meeting included Ukraine, the Middle East, European defence and security, competitiveness, the EU's...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: Ukraine is a top priority. I told ambassador Gerasko that was the case. I had an article published in the Irish Examiner this week reflecting on my visit there. I certainly encourage Members of the Oireachtas to visit Ukraine if it is safe to do so. It is never 100% safe, but it should be organised at an Oireachtas level. On my impression of the situation in Ukraine, what really struck...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: It is relevant because we are talking about a meeting of the European Council and there will be an informal meeting of the European Council in Ireland during our Presidency.

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: The final decisions have not been taken as to where the locations will be.

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: There are not many places in the country that have the capacity to hold such an event. I have no doubt that whatever decisions are taken, there will be some events in Kerry, and I certainly hope there will be some in Tipperary and Meath.

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: I do not know the answer about the one in Bogotá, but we were to be heavily involved in the one France and Saudi Arabia were organising in the UN. In fact, the Taoiseach was asked to chair one of the working groups. What Ireland has done in support of the two-state solution goes back to Brian Lenihan as Minister. We think of all the great Irish foreign Ministers. Even in the...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: On the simplification agenda, there is an agenda on reporting requirements that we support. What is happening at European Commission level is that every part of the Commission is coming forward with simplification proposals that have to get discussed in the European Parliament and at the Council of Ministers. The idea is to cut red tape, not to reduce our human rights compliance or...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: The work of the Gates Foundation is very important. I know the Taoiseach recently addressed the summit in Brussels and spoke to Bill Gates. We are aligned with the work that needs to be done around the world to ensure people have better lives and outcomes. We have had a range of statements and questions and there were some other items on the European Council agenda, including Moldova,...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: It might be easier if I just quickly answer Deputy Ó Laoghaire's question because it is likely there will be several questions. On tariffs, there were discussions about tariffs and this particular debate on the margins of the European Council meeting. Discussions between the EU and the US are ongoing. As the Taoiseach already said, President von der Leyen spoke to him on Monday....

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: I will get the Deputy an exact answer on that. As I understand it, we are not part of that. The decision was taken by the Council, of which we are part, and our position is generally to facilitate what other member states want to do. As the Taoiseach has said, we are very clear that defence is a national competency. There is no EU army. If Deputy McDonald said what she said today in a...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: We are working very closely with the Commission. The Council has taken its own decision and that is the position we have taken on the matter. I do not accept what the Deputy has said, which is that we are funding arms manufacturers and research on how best to kill people. That is not happening. There is a country called Russia. Deputy Seán Crowe criticised us and told us not to use...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: I am raising the issues the Deputy raised when she spoke.

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: I will come back in.

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Thomas Byrne: I will be clear. We have called for follow-up action on the association agreement report. I will attend the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on the issue next week and I will be taking a very strong position that is consistent with what we have done before. The report is brief but it tells you enough about what Israel has done, which is exactly what the Deputy has said. The Government has...