Results 20,841-20,860 of 24,351 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House as a matter of urgency because there is a significant deficit in the Government's education policy. More children are leaving school unable to read and write properly. There is a question mark against grades at third level and the awarding of degrees. It is important, therefore, that we have a debate on education. I join...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: We should go there.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: That is right.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: They should boycott Fianna Fáil next.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I endorse my colleagues' demands for a debate on care of the elderly. Do we cherish our people? Last Thursday I attended the Cork carers' forum, at which concern was expressed about the comments of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Ó Cuív, on pensions and home help hours. I agree with Senator Callely that a separate debate is needed on home help and the role of carers in...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: -----developed by Ministers who sit around the Cabinet table and make their decisions collectively. Fianna Fáil for the past 13 years, and the Minister for Health and Children for the past 18 months, has engaged in ageism.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: My question is simple. When will a Minister step up to the mark and say: "I am responsible, I am accountable and the buck stops with me"? Stop blaming officials. It would be like the Cathaoirleach blaming the officials for being unable to do something in this House. The Leader, as the Government representative here, and Ministers are the accountable and elected face of this Government....

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The HSE is implementing Government policy.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I have never been a member of Fianna Fáil, nor will I ever be one. I would not allow myself to be contaminated.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader invited comment.

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Cathaoirleach as cead a thabhairt dom an rún seo a chur os comhair an Tí. The issue of carers and the future development and evolution of the national carers strategy is important. As the Minister knows, there was a 4.1% cut in social welfare which had a profound impact on carers. Carers suffered a cut of €8.80 per week which...

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The reconfiguration and reallocation of funding for services are causing most distress to our elders, in particular, as well as to those in receipt of home care packages. A great deal of stress is being caused by bureaucracy in the making of cuts. I welcome the Minister's remarks about the old age pension. However, it was his choice of words that caused the furore. He said he could not...

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Does the Minister believe his remarks are inflammatory and frightening people?

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Would the Minister support cuts?

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I understand it all right.

Seanad: Employment Action Plan (20 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Chair for allowing me raise this matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary. The matter I raise is not just about the announcement by Pfizer this week of job losses in Cork. Over a period it has let go a substantial number of employees in Cork and throughout Ireland on a phased basis. The latest announcement is a devastating blow to the Cork region, particularly...

Seanad: Employment Action Plan (20 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State ignored the high-end job losses experienced in Cork and the rate of unemployment among under 25-year-olds, which stands at over 4,000. Will he ask the Minister to make it a priority that the IDA work with the agencies in the Cork area and the south to ensure Cork is prioritised, as it is losing out?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: One year on from the publication of the Ryan report it is important that we revisit the issue and have a full debate on what we have learned since its publication, the new structures which have been put in place, where are we in the protection of children and whether they are better protected since the publication of the report. Its dreadful narrative has been publicised, but we need to move...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Norris. Senator Ross has yet again raised an important point and exposed the fault line in our democracy. CIE has deliberately frustrated the will of the members of a committee, the people who represent ordinary citizens. It is a disgrace and an abomination that CIE can tell a committee of the Houses that its...