Results 21,741-21,760 of 24,351 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am human. The economic downturn has left an increasing number of people in financial difficulty. Self-employed friends of mine who had three, four or 12 people working for them are struggling to find sufficient work for themselves. According to the Combat Poverty Agency, the ratio of personal debt to disposable income has increased from 48% in 1995 to 170% this year. As I stated, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald and ask that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, come to the House as a matter of extreme urgency. We have seen an increase in what are called tiger kidnappings but the reality is that families are being traumatised. I compliment Larry Broderick of the IBOA who spoke on the radio this morning and was clear, cogent and made...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: ——would not follow protocols and think about the money in the bank. We would do as we were asked to do. I received phone calls this morning from friends of mine who work in banks and who are genuinely concerned about their safety and that of their families. They are ordinary people who are going from A to B every day and now suddenly have to think about their safety. The trauma of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: He would have been chewing gum rather than garlic.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It is Senator Norris.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator will not forget it again in a hurry.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We might need to be in heaven to get the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is the Leader restoring censorship?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: In light of the impending budget and Friday's national day of protest, will the Leader facilitate a debate on social partnership? Never before was social partnership more needed. I am not sure if the Members opposite understand that we are bordering on civil unrest. People are genuinely angry and frustrated at being unable to see a light at the end of the tunnel. The absence of leadership...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and I welcome the Minister of State. Drug treatment services and the national drug strategy are important, as is the allocation of grant aid to organisations and those who are serious in an attempt to help those on the road to recovery. The Minister of State is familiar with the Adjournment motion, which concerns the Fellowship...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, it is a disappointing reply as it does not address the fundamental issue at hand, which is that we have a waiting list for entry into Fellowship House. I know the national drugs strategy does not fall under the remit of the Minister of State's Department but his reply makes a mockery of the press statement issued by the Minister for...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Will the Minister of State ask the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who will take responsibility if a recovering addict relapses? That question was not answered this evening. It is a fundamental question on the drugs strategy. I am very passionate about this. The buck must stop somewhere.

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The fundamental question still pertains. If we are serious about drug rehabilitation and intervention in the national drugs strategy, then responsibility lies somewhere. I appreciate it is not the Minister of State's specific area of responsibility but he is here as the representative of the Minister and the Government. The Government has a role to play in this. I will not be fobbed off...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that but the buck must stop somewhere. The HSE, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, have issued press releases on the great work being done in capital spending by the Government. However, the Minister of State and the Department have told us we have no money. Where does the buck stop? Who takes responsibility?

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that but-----

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the fundamental point is that the buck does not stop anywhere with the Government. The buck stops nowhere.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: In light of the impending appointment of a new European Commissioner, what steps is the Government taking to ensure that we will get the right person? May we have a debate in this House on that appointment? I ask the acting leader to endorse the candidacy of John Bruton for the position of President of the European Council. What steps is he taking to ensure that the Government will support...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: He should get the job.