Results 4,001-4,020 of 24,399 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I begin by referencing an article by Ms Caitlín Griffin that was published in theIrish Examineron 12 September: "1,346 cases of Covid confirmed as expert says mask-wearing is needed in primary schools". The one thing we have learned is that this pandemic or virus has a trajectory all of its own, as the Minister has said. I like Senator Keogan...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister back to the House. I think we have all missed a trick in this debate and we should all be stepping back. We should actually have proposed collectively that there should be pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. That is what we should have done if we are to be honest about it. The debate so far is like the debate we had in this House a couple of years ago when we...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I join colleagues in commending our front-line workers who worked so tirelessly yesterday to keep us all safe. I say "míle buíochas" to them. I agree with Senator Lombard that there is a need for the Office of Public Works, OPW, to expedite flood defence schemes across Cork as a matter of urgency. I exhort the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, to get on with the...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Bring it on.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister to the House. This is an important Bill, but it is also a missed opportunity. We should not have taken this week and next week to do it, which are the last weeks in which it can be done. We should have done this in a rolling way. As I said on the Order of Business two weeks ago, our role as parliamentarians and the role of our staff have changed considerably over...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I made the point in the Chamber two weeks ago that our staff are parliamentary assistants, researchers, psychotherapists, sociologists and mental health experts. They are now social media gurus, journalists writing press releases and speeches, and deal with members of the public at their most vulnerable. Nobody is taking cognisance of that in officialdom. The role has changed, as has our...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: There are not too many who are trying to ride both horses in being a Deputy and a Seanadóir. As Members of the Upper House, the research we have to do in the scrutiny of legislation means that we deserve to have parliamentary assistants and not just one member of staff. I thank the Acting Chairperson for his indulgence.

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I will take two minutes and leave the rest to Senator Cummins. I welcome the Minister to this important debate. I wish we had more time. Our horse and greyhound industry is very important to our country, economically and internationally. Ireland is known for how we treat our animals. It is a bit disingenuous of some to come in here and criticise the industry unfairly when they do not...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator will be going out in the general election, telling people one thing and then doing another thing.

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I have a lot more experience in the greyhound industry than the Senator.

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ahearn mentioned Councillors McManus and Lynch. Councillor Lynch's father and family are from Cork which has been the home of a number of Irish greyhound champions. I come from a family that supports and has had greyhounds. I know the work that is done and the care given to our greyhounds in the industry by those involved on the ground. I can vouch for those men and women. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: My apologies; I will have to attend another vote presently. I have several questions because I am not happy with what is happening. I am seeking clarity on foot of the questioning by the Chairman. I apologise for not having been present for the entire meeting. What is the exact situation in respect of the checking of Covid certificates and tests for people travelling to Ireland? There...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: That is what I will do. I thank the Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I apologise most sincerely to our witnesses for our voting in the Seanad. Another vote is imminent. My earlier comments were based on the ambiguity I have heard this morning and anecdotal experiences of people coming into Ireland. What is the precise position? Who checks the Covid certificates? Are they all checked automatically? Are the antigen and PCR tests checked? If not, why...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Sorry, I do not want to be argumentative but, with respect, the term "the first line of obligation" is codology. If I am travelling, I can take the view that I will not bother if I can get away with it. Where do we start the process? I do not mean to be rude but self-obligation does not wash.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: At the point of boarding, say, at London Heathrow, if I walk up to the check-in desk or gate prior to departure or at the first point of entry, I have to provide my Covid certificate and passenger locator form before I get on the aeroplane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Is every passenger who boards a flight, irrespective of the carrier, asked for a negative test result and passenger locator form?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: What happens if the carrier does not ask me for either of those and I land in Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock or wherever?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid Testing for International Travel into and out of Ireland: Discussion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: May I read an email I received from a member of the travelling public who was concerned with what they saw?