Results 21,761-21,780 of 24,351 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: With your permission, a Chathaoirligh, I wish Senator Boyle every success if he gets the appointment in Brussels as a member of the European Court of Auditors. I would wholeheartedly support him and wish him bon voyage.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I listened with amusement to Senators Leyden and Butler regarding social partnership. As I said yesterday the fragmentation between public and private workers has partly been caused by the media, but has been further accentuated by the Government in the last two budgets, and by the bad economic policies pursued by Fianna Fáil, primarily, over the past decade.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I will conclude on this remark. I was interrupted five times.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: My last sentence is that in the context of social partnership, worthwhile suggestions have been made this morning to the effect that we should invite IBEC and the ICTU to this Chamber, where we can have a meaningful discussion on it, rather than a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: However, the Deputy Leader does.

Seanad: Denominational Schools (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I would like to share time with Senator Ross.

Seanad: Denominational Schools (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue, which was brought to my attention by parents and teachers and which has been commented on publicly by both Church of Ireland and Catholic clergy. The many fine Protestant schools in Cork, including Ashton School, St. Luke's national school, St. Michael's national school in Blackrock, St. Fin Barre's national school and St. Mary's...

Seanad: Denominational Schools (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for his remarks. I made no reference to his faith, as he knows. His reply is wholly unsatisfactory given that the block grant is not the issue. An ancillary grant is being paid. Why is the advice of the Attorney General suddenly being sought on it? I hope we can have this clarified. As the Minister of State said in his reply, there are many schools providing...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Through the Cathaoirleach, I clarify for Senator Walsh that John A. Costello was never leader of Fine Gael, but he was an excellent Taoiseach. I clarify for Senator Doherty that the Fine Gael Party has always been pro-public servant and, in that regard, I ask for a debate on this matter. Unlike Senator Doherty's party, Sinn Féin, we do not claim both salaries.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I have not provoked any comment here this afternoon.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am defending the record of the Fine Gael Party regarding public service. The remarks this afternoon by Senators on the public service are indicative of the fact that we have, through this Government, divided public and private sector workers. Shame on the Leader's Government for doing that. I ask the Leader for a debate on education. Single-handedly the Minister for Education and...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader is misleading the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The schools are public private partnerships. Private money is being put in.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is the Leader in Government or what?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister. I sympathise with and congratulate him on his party's acceptance of the renewed programme for Government at its recent conference. After two and a half years in government, it is time for the Green Party to allow us to clean up the mess that now exists. I appreciate that the Bill represents an attempt to start the clean-up of the planning sector. I am concerned...

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I wish to share time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I congratulate Senator Ross on the Bill and commend him on bringing it before the House. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and thank him for his great speech, which I listened to with incredulity. If ever I heard a case for Senator Ross's Bill, it was in the contributions of the Minister of State and Senators Ormonde and Butler. Senator Ormonde should buy a book entitled...

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We must get rid of cronyism and patronage if we are to restore public trust and confidence in the political system.