Results 22,821-22,840 of 24,571 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: School Staffing (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me raise this important matter on the Adjournment. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I raise the issue of special needs pupils and teachers. It is now imperative that special needs teachers and classes are exempt from the cutbacks being imposed regarding supervision and substitution cover. It is important that we acknowledge the special...

Seanad: School Staffing (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: While I thank the Minister of State for his response, his reply was not satisfactory as it did not take into consideration that a school principal may not be in a position to move teachers around or provide immediate cover. In such circumstances, who will look after the children in question? They will be forced to go home. A new tier of wrongly categorised students is being created in...

Seanad: School Staffing (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: While I appreciate that and understand the Minister of State's position, as someone who has been in the classroom, it is not good enough that a form of words has been used which allows the Minister of State to avoid addressing the issue.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Fianna Fáil members were very quick to do their patriotic duty for long enough.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is correct. I will stand up for the people in my party who have always put the country first, unlike members of the Senator's party who played politics with many issues.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Will Fianna Fáil bring back the tent?

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Here comes Muckross.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to the House. I did not think the bail out of Anglo Irish Bank was free. Perhaps the Minister will give us the report by PricewaterhouseCoopers on the bad debts in Anglo Irish Bank. Perhaps Senator Butler can let the Irish people know what they are paying to bail out the bank and the friends of Fianna Fáil. The bailout was not free —...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am speaking. There is no plan. What was the result? If Senator Walsh cannot hear me, I will shout louder for him.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The people have lost confidence, not just in the Government but in each other. Walking through the streets of Cork at the weekend, one could drive a bus through some of the shops and restaurants in town. These small businesses are struggling; they are not multinationals. They are struggling to survive because banks will not lend, liquidity is being taken from them and there is no support...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We need action, not talk. Fianna Fáil has had its chance for 11 years. It was given a great economy by the parties then in Government and it has squandered it. Now it wants Fine Gael to come in and help it out. Let us have an election and change it for good.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The phone signal is coming from the other side of the House and it is being picked up by the microphone. It might be Brian Cowen calling. The Holy Spirit is guiding him.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I join other speakers in asking the Leader to postpone the debate this afternoon, given that the relevance of politics and politicians is being debated now more than ever. As Senators Alex White and Fitzgerald have said, we will debate the economy today in a vacuum. We are one of the two Houses of Parliament and this Government has yet again shown disrespect not just to us but to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jan 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Green Party is rolling over again for Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Most of what I wanted to say has been said. If one goes around the capital city of Dublin to places like Dawson Street, Grafton Street, Henry Street, Moore Street, O'Connell Street, or goes to Patrick Street or McCurtan Street in Cork one will see a great number of shops for sale or to let. In addition there is a great number of "sale" signs indicating reductions of 50% or 25% or offers...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I wish to make some brief comments on one of the urban docklands areas, Cork docklands. While I welcome some of what the Minister has done in the Finance Bill regarding Seveso sites, he has not gone far enough. I say that for a number of reasons. The Cork docklands regeneration project is of particular importance not just to Cork but to the region. Cork docklands is a pivotal part of the...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate the Minister's reply but this must be put in context. Yesterday, the Taoiseach launched a programme in Dublin Castle. If we are serious about developing the regions, Ireland does not stop at the end of the M50 or the Red Cow roundabout. I do not subscribe to that view, and the Minister, being from Kerry, will not either. We have dealt with the Seveso sites and given certain...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate it is not the Minister, Deputy Carey's Department, but on 4 November the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, took my Adjournment debate matter in this House on the travel tax. I welcome the Government's Pauline conversion and flip-flop on the regional airports. I am a strong defender of my region but I still believe the tax is wrong. We should not impose a levy on people...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Section 55 excludes from the tax "a person under the age of 2". Why do we not exempt passengers under the age of five or seven? Why are children not exempt from this levy? What do we hope to yield in revenue. The Minister, Deputy Mansergh, said the original scheme would yield €95 million in 2009 and €150 million in a full year. What is the revised figure for the scheme? Why have we...