Results 20,801-20,820 of 24,351 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Departmental Staff (15 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for permission to raise this matter. I listened to the Minister of State's wisdom about the Fine Gael approach to the economy. It is a pity the Government parties did not listen to us over the past ten years because if they did, we would not be where we are today.

Seanad: Departmental Staff (15 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I will. Perhaps that would be much safer. I refer to the issue of the contracts of librarians employed in the junior certificate school programme, JCSP, in DEIS schools not only in Cork but throughout the country. Last week, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills made an insensitive announcement in the national broadcast and print media that school librarian positions would be...

Seanad: Departmental Staff (15 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I am very pleased with the Minister of State's third last sentence to the effect that they are being retained. I hope that it will be put on a more substantive footing than just the one-year contract, but I very much welcome the decision to retain the position as it is. Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: It is relevant.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I compliment the Government Whip on his vindication of Senator Cummins. I compliment both Senators on their excellent working relationship. When will the Leader learn that this is the House of the people and that we need to operate on their behalf? The point made by Senator Cummins is valid. This House is not the preserve of any one Member; it is the House of the people. I join others in...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear. That was well said by Senator Bacik.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: That was well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Is it not wonderful that Dr. Paisley was in the House today, a man who 30 years ago would not come beyond the Border? Is it not a marvellous achievement that we can now live together peacefully in this country?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I look forward to the day when we will have a united Ireland in this county and I hope we will all coexist peacefully and that we will have no bigotry such as what we heard today from some Members.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I hate being interrupted; it is terrible.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: As Senator Mooney will know well from yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I am asking the Deputy Leader a specific question. Is it proposed that we sit next week? If it is the intention of the Members on the Government side not to sit next week, can the Deputy Leader explain why? It is unconscionable that we do not sit next week and it is important that we do sit next week. We have been damaged by the events of this week and I second Senator Donohoe's amendment...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that we work collectively to restore the image of the body politic, of this Chamber and of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Will the Deputy Leader indicate when it is proposed-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: When is it proposed that the Civil Partnership Bill will come to the House? It is imperative that we allow people, whether they follow the liberal or conservative agenda, to be treated fairly with equality and tolerance.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The liberal agenda that Senators Walsh and Hanafin railed against this morning is about fairness for all our citizens and people. It behoves us as parliamentarians to treat all of the people fairly and equally. I hope we will not return to the days when the vested interests the Senators purport to represent dominated Irish politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: That is terrible.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: It is undermining the House.