Latest news with #MalcomByrne
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow school's new building has no timeline for works
Delivered on behalf of the Department of Education, Coláiste Bhríde's new school is part of The Exchequer Funded Schools Programme's 'Project Dargle', which includes Avondale Community College in Rathdrum, St Kevin's Community College in Dunlavin and Arklow CBS. The proposed development at Coláiste Bhríde will see the existing school buildings, temporary classrooms and ball courts demolished and removed. The existing 1930s school building will be refurbished alongside a new extension for use as a school library. The new school building will include space for classrooms, a Special Education Needs unit with a secured rooftop play area, a general-purpose hall, a multi-use hall and a range of outdoor play and amenity areas. The existing vehicular entrance at the northeast of the site off the R725 regional road will be upgraded, with the vehicular entrance at the northwest of the site off the R725 relocated. A new pedestrian entrance off the R725 is also proposed, as well as a new set-down area adjoining the R725 for cars and school buses, along with 92 car spaces. Following a question from Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcom Byrne in the Dáil, junior minister at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Healy-Rae said the project is currently in the final stages of stage 2b. 'The architectural process allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. 'When this stage is finalised, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course. 'While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the National Development Finance Agency will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of all progress.' he added. ADVERTISEMENT In response Deputy Byrne said the new school is badly needed to help meet the growing demand for places in the area. 'The neighbouring town of Gorey has three schools, the third of which was sanctioned by the previous Minister, Deputy Foley, will soon reach capacity because the population in north Wexford and south Wicklow is growing incredibly quickly so there will be pressure for additional places in the area. That is why it is critical that Carnew gets a modern school as soon as possible.' Deputy Byrne said adequate sporting facilities also need to be made available on the site. 'What the school wants to see, which makes economic sense, is that the groundworks are carried out to ensure those sporting facilities can be provided while the school is being built. It is about long-term planning in the area. This must be a priority.' he added.
Irish Independent
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Ireland needs to improve its defences to guard against future cyber attacks
Speaking in the Dail, Fianna Fail Deputy Malcom Byrne said we need to ensure international law applies in cyberspace as much as it does on the ground. 'Like other countries, there are challenges to Ireland in the cyberattacks we face, including those from other states or malign actors aligned to those states, as well as those who want to hack State infrastructure systems for financial, political or ideological reasons.' He said it is important that we know the State has a plan in place to combat any major cyberattack in the future. 'We also need to address situations where critical infrastructure may be brought down. This could be in health, transport, financial services, Government payments or energy.' he added. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) cited 2023 as being its busiest year in recent memory. At that time, it received 5,200 cyber reports with 721 incidents which represented a threat to a network and required a response. In their most recent report, the NCSC found there is enough evidence and information in a number of those cases to attribute activity to specific foreign intelligence and security agencies. 'Everyone will remember May 2021, when the HSE faced a major ransomware attack. We know that the costs to date have been more than €150 million, not to mention the many lives that were undoubtedly lost because of the attack,' continued Deputy Byrne. In response the Minister for Justice Jim O' Callaghan said the NCSC has had a significant increase in its resources since then. 'Back in 2011, the NCSC only had four staff. At the end of 2024, it had 75 staff and an annual budget of €12 million. There is also a commitment in budget 2025 that the number of staff will increase by a further 30, bringing it to more than 100 employees.' he added. The NCSC has come within the jurisdictional control of the Department of Justice meaning they have departmental and ministerial responsibility for issues concerning cyber threat attacks. ADVERTISEMENT Considering the threat posed to the country, Minister O' Callaghan deemed the change 'appropriate.' 'Last July, the Government gave its approval to the priority drafting of the national cybersecurity Bill, which is currently being undertaken by my Department. It will give the NCSC specific powers to engage in a range of scanning-type activities to identify systems vulnerable to specific exploits.' he added. In conclusion, Deputy Byrne welcomed the fact that the NCSC is now within the remit of the Department of Justice but insisted more investment is needed. 'In the same way we rightly hold countries to account for actions in wars on the ground, we need to hold them to account where they act in a malign way in cyberspace.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘Critical that CAP is fully funded'
Fianna Fáil TD, Malcom Byrne has said that it is 'criticial' that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is fully funded should Ukraine enter the European Union. Speaking in the Dáil yesterday (June 10), the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin outlined the details of a European Council meeting on March 20, 2025, where the EU's multi-annual financial framework was discussed. According to the Taoiseach, EU leaders had a 'first exchange of views' on the next iteration of the EU's long term budget (MFF), and that the European Commission is expected to publish it's proposal for the next MFF. Deputy Byrne believes that it is 'essential and correct' to support Ukraine's path to membership of the EU. He said: 'From Ireland's point of view, it is critical that the CAP is fully funded and is not just there to meet current requirements. 'While it is essential and correct that we support Ukraine's path to membership, CAP must be sufficient to meet the needs of an enlarged European Union, particularly in terms of Ukraine being a sufficient beneficiary under pillar 2,' Deputy Byrne added. European Union The Wicklow – Wexford TD also claimed that the Taoiseach has been 'very supportive' regarding European competitiveness. 'It is critical that we see movement on the capital markets union to ensure greater availability of capital throughout Europe,' Deputy Byrne said. 'This does not just benefit business; it also benefits consumers because consumers in Ireland could see better value in terms of financial and insurance products,' he added. The Taoiseach said that he has spoken to the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen about the CAP budget. He said: 'I met the President of the Commission about six weeks ago for a substantive meeting on a range of issues. 'I emphasised the importance of the (CAP) retaining its core ring-fenced funding framework. One of the issues will be around how we can increase it. 'The significant pressure on the multi-annual financial framework will be more and more pressures to spend more in different areas but no concrete proposals in terms of additional revenues,' the Taoiseach added.
