Thomas Byrne — Watch Them Work

2026-01-21

LOBBY

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA EU Affairs

Preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union (EU) 2026

2026-01-21

LOBBY

Ibec EU Affairs

Trade and investment priorities for EU Presidency

2026-01-20

LOBBY

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Agriculture

IFA Budget 2026 Briefing

2026-01-20

LOBBY

The Institute of Directors Ireland Education and Training

Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU

2026-01-19

LOBBY

Cork Chamber 2 returns Trade

A letter from Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy to Minister Thomas Byrne
A letter from Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy to Minister Thomas Byrne

2026-01-17

LOBBY

Chambers Ireland 9 returns TradeEU Affairs

Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation – enforcement-focused revision
EU Free Trade Agreements with ASEAN/high-growth regions
EU Free Trade Agreements with ASEAN/high-growth regions
EU–Mercosur and EU–Mexico Trade agreements
EU–Mercosur and EU–Mexico Trade agreements
EU–US Turnberry Accord – implementation and tariff relief
EU–US Turnberry Accord – implementation and tariff relief 1
Delivery of commitments under the EU-UK reset
Delivery of commitments under the EU-UK reset

2026-01-16

LOBBY

Chambers Ireland 2 returns EU AffairsPublic Expenditure and Reform

Revised EU Public Procurement legal framework and Single Market harmonisation 1 1
Revised EU Public Procurement legal framework and Single Market harmonisation

2026-01-14

VOTE

Mercosur Trade Agreement · 3 divisions

✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 85–70
✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 86–70
✗ voted against a sub-amendment motion failed · 69–85

2025-10-15

VOTE

Confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 94–65

2025-09-21

LOBBY

Chambers Ireland EU Affairs

To highlight the EU-level priorities of the affiliated Chambers of Commerce, including deepening the free movement of goods, services, people (including workers) and capital, increasing cross-border trade, and reducing fragmentation in Europe.

2025-09-20

LOBBY

Chambers Ireland 5 returns EU AffairsEducation and TrainingTrade

To highlight the EU-level priorities of the affiliated Chambers of Commerce, including deepening the free movement of goods, services, people (including workers) and capital, increasing cross-border trade, and reducing fragmentation in Europe.
To highlight the EU-level priorities of the affiliated Chambers of Commerce, including greater focus on the openness pillar of EU trade policy by pursuing new and renewed trade agreements and improving market access for Irish companies.
To highlight the EU-level priorities of the affiliated Chambers of Commerce, including prioritising Free Trade Agreements awaiting signature or ratification including Mercosur and CETA.
To highlight the EU-level priorities of the affiliated Chambers of Commerce, including strengthening the position of SMEs in EU and global trade through a more coherent implementation agenda.
To highlight the EU-level priorities of the affiliated Chambers of Commerce, including strengthening the WTO by ensuring a more effective multilateralism that caters to business needs.

2025-09-19

LOBBY

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA EU Affairs

Mercosur Trade Deal

2025-09-19

LOBBY

Ibec Trade

Ibec response to the European Commission Information gathering notice under Regulation (EU) No 654/2014

2025-09-18

LOBBY

Irish Exporters Association Trade

Government Consultative Group on Trade to engage with government of the latest and emerging trade developments and opportunties.

2025-09-15

LOBBY

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Trade

Government Trade Forum

2025-09-15

LOBBY

Cork Chamber 5 returns EnvironmentEnergy and Natural ResourcesTradeFinanceEducation and Training

An email to Thomas Byrne, the Minister of State at the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade, on opportunities in ORE and climate action
An email to Thomas Byrne, the Minister of State at the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade, on shared energy resources
An email to the Minister of State at the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade on the importance of trade links between Ireland, Scotland and Wales
A letter sent to the Minister of State at the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade encouraging the promotion of Cork as a prime destination for international financial services
A letter to the Minister of State at the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade calling for a deepening of cooperation between Ireland, Scotland and Wales to ensure the sharing of resources in research & development and education

2025-05-21

LOBBY

Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited Energy and Natural Resources

Introduction to Valero and its role as a major fuel supplier for Ireland, including for renewable fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and other low-carbon liquid fuels.

2025-05-21

LOBBY

Ibec Economic Development and Industry

Trade Advisory Group

2025-05-18

LOBBY

Chambers Ireland 2 returns TradeEU Affairs

Proposal to ratify the CETA and Mercosur Free Trade Agreements.
Proposal to ratify the CETA and Mercosur Free Trade Agreements.

2025-05-17

LOBBY

Chambers Ireland 5 returns TradeEU Affairs

The need for the new Government to protect Ireland's existing competitive advantages. This includes fostering business growth; attracting innovation, tourism and talent; investing in education; and making the most of our renewable energy potential.
"The need for the new Government to tackle the costs of doing business. This includes reforming business taxation, reviewing employment legislation, applying the SME Test, expanding trade relationships and increasing access to finance. "
The need for the new Government to build strong international partnerships with the EU, the UK and the rest of the world.
Sharing EU Manifesto - A globally competitive Europe
Sharing EU Manifesto - A globally competitive Europe

2025-05-14

VOTE

Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021

A bill to provide a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers who comprise at least 20 per cent of the employees in an employment (or any category within that employment).

✗ voted to block the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion failed · 66–82

2025-04-29

LOBBY

Mars Foods Ireland Limited (t/a Mars Ireland) Trade

An ask to explore a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and veterinary agreement between the UK and the EU, to ease trade flows and promote economic growth.

2025-04-09

VOTE

Protecting the Irish Economy Against Increasing Trade Tariffs · 2 divisions

✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 83–65
✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 83–65

2024-02-28

VOTE

Protection of Employees (Trade Union Subscriptions) Bill 2024

A bill to impose an obligation on employers, when requested in writing by an employee, to make deductions from the wages of such employee, and, not later than 21 days, remit the amount deducted, along with the written notice of the information required under section 6, to the relevant trade union that is specified in the written request.

✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion passed · 85–49

2021-01-20

VOTE

EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement

✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 18–27

2020-11-10

VOTE

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

✓ voted for the motion motion passed · 92–65

2020-05-27

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport offices will recommence the processing of day-to-day passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7861/20]

2019-07-04

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expected ratification process for the Mercosur trade agreement; and if Dáil Éireann and other national parliaments will need to ratify the agreement. [28829/19]

2019-06-18

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the continuing steps he is undertaking to highlight and address the persecution of Christians worldwide with particular reference to the recent Easter bombings in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25216/19]

2019-06-18

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting times for passport express and online passport applications; and his views on the level of staffing and resources in the passport office. [25217/19]

2019-04-16

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic steps Ireland is taking to highlight and end the persecution of Christians worldwide. [17616/19]

2019-04-16

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic actions Ireland is taking in respect of new homophobic laws in Brunei; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17617/19]

2019-03-26

PQ

Asked Transport

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the level of tolling of the M3 motorway is excessive and discourages motorists to use the motorway; and his further views on whether the two tolls are a barrier for trade and development in north County Meath. [12823/19]

2019-02-05

PQ

Asked Education

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he has taken to address the concerns of teacher unions in relation to the implementation of individual education plans; if he has met trades unions or communicated with them; and if so, the dates of correspondence or communications. [5530/19]

2019-01-29

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting times for passport express applications. [3858/19]

2019-01-29

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent re-election of Mr. Nicolas Maduro as the President of Venezuela. [3859/19]

2018-09-07

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a passport. [35948/18]

2018-03-27

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is discretion available to a person (details supplied) in a scenario. [13986/18]

2018-03-20

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting times for the various categories of passport applications. [12283/18]

2017-09-21

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent human rights violations of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar; and if Ireland will condemn these actions. [39832/17]

2017-07-04

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government will negotiate a special dispensation on the tariffs on exports to the United Kingdom as part of the Brexit negotiations in view of the additional responsibilities that the State will encounter as the only European Union country with a border with the United Kingdom. [30566/17]

2017-06-22

VOTE

Trade and Foreign Direct Investment · 2 divisions

✓ voted for the motion the motion motion passed · 84–45
✗ voted to reject an amendment to the bill motion failed · 33–85

2017-06-20

PQ

Asked Education

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the figures for the throughput of apprentices annually in each of the years 1990 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the number of apprentices in phases two, four and six annually by trade sector, for example, construction, electrical, engineering, motor and printing and paper. [28851/17]

2017-06-20

PQ

Asked Education

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of certificates issued to apprentices in the construction and electrical trade sectors that reached the standard in each of the years 2010 to 2016. [28852/17]

2017-06-20

PQ

Asked Education

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or another body under its aegis are currently considering proposals to varying the length of apprenticeship based on learning outcomes determined by the trade standards and on the prior learning of the applicant; and his views on the recommendation of his Department's Apprenticeship Review – Background Issues Paper published in 2013. [28855/17]

2017-06-20

PQ

Asked Education

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are sectors in which SOLAS sets a maximum allowable number of recruits to each trade for a set planning period; if recruitment is regulated to this figure; the sectors concerned; and the employer group which consults with SOLAS on targets for each sector. [28899/17]

2017-05-11

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the document which will satisfy his Department regarding passport applications by stateless persons who may be entitled to citizenship but not a public services card. [22443/17]

2017-03-08

PQ

Asked Education

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a shortage in the availability of the trade of shuttering carpenters here at present. [12285/17]

2016-04-14

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting time for a properly completed passport express application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7005/16]

2016-04-14

PQ

Asked Foreign

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking to expedite passport applications, given the anticipated summer rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7006/16]