Results 21,961-21,980 of 24,351 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is the Senator leaving politics?

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Bill and thank the Minister for bringing it to the House. It is probably the most botched legislation the Government has ever brought in to deal with our role as public representatives. Senator Boyle was right to ask what a public representative should be paid. This is a PR exercise on the part of Government to save face by using politicians as guinea pigs, or as camels to...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not agree with the Minister on many issues but at least he is one of those who listens and perhaps he should be elevated. The aspect of this which upsets me most is the increment. I have been a school teacher for over 20 years. Every few years I receive an increment and I am entitled to it based on the service I have given to the school. I will not get votes from this and the media...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We are not saying that but politics will be the preserve of the rich if it continues as it is.

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me raise this matter and thank the Minister of State for being here. I thank the staff for being here at this hour and for their courtesy, and we will not keep them long. May I share time with Senator Ross?

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: This matter is of critical importance to thousands of people, be they pensioners, people who are sick or patients young and old, so that they have access to their medication and there is an equitable restructuring of the pharmacy issue. We all support the important concept and the need to achieve value for money, but I call on the Minister to be equitable in what she does in this regard and...

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We can give the Minister pills for that too.

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept it is late, but the Minister of State was doing well until he went off the script. Pharmacists have indicated they are willing to accept a cut in their fees. I appreciate that the Minister of State is not attached to the Department of Health and Children but I ask him to bring to the Minister's attention that talks and negotiations must be held. There is no contingency plan if the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should not be cheeky to the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: What debate is the Senator calling for?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: What is Senator Leyden asking the Leader?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden has no chance of getting transfers.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden will get no transfers that way.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden wrote to Fine Gael councillors seeking transfers. He has some cheek.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden is with The Beano.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, to the House to have an urgent debate on the cuts in pharmacists' margins. I note The Irish Times today had a report that the Minister has written to Fianna Fáil backbenchers. Could the Deputy Leader tell the House whether the Green Party has been ignored because it has become irrelevant or has locked into the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: What is it called? Is it called abstentionism?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Can the Leader invite the Minister to the House? It is important we have a debate and that the Minister outline to the House the contingency plans if 700 pharmacists opt out of dispensing medicines to medical card holders. These are old and young vulnerable people who are on treatment and need medicine the most. Senator Ross is correct. What is the plan? We do not want people to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of order, will the Leader define what "guillotine" actually means?