Results 4,761-4,780 of 24,555 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I join Senator Gavan in paying tribute to the late Diego Maradona. I am of the generation that admired his skills and we extend our deepest sympathies. I concur wholeheartedly with Senator Craughwell's point that there is a cohort of local authority members who are being, to borrow Senator Dooley's phrase, hollowed out by Covid-19. There is an obligation on us, a Chathaoirligh. Perhaps...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I am being very careful. I am mindful that I am not going to have a row with you now. I am being very careful.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I understand. I am being very careful in what I am saying. However, millions of euro were stolen by a person who is in jail today. The point I wish to make about the DPP, the Garda and Revenue is that if the information is correct, and we have only one side-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I hope you understand, a Chathaoirligh, by my term and my demeanour that I am not trying to bring the House into disrepute in any shape or form.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I will conclude by saying there is a real need for the DPP, Revenue and the Garda to explain and not to hide behind saying they do not comment on individual cases. How can a person, for 20 years plus, go unchecked by the organs of the State? I am only an ordinary person, but I can imagine how those people feel and the impact it has had on their lives.

Seanad: Reopening Ireland (Department of Health): Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Leader for having this debate, which I requested. I am glad it is broken up into two parts. Conscious of the 2,033 people who have died and the thousands of people who have tested positive, I am mindful of the gargantuan work being undertaken in our hospitals and in community care settings by our public servants.This debate is important. Earlier this week, I was walking in the...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2020: Motion (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister to the House and I support this motion. As we have heard, horse and greyhound funding is controversial. I understand and appreciate the sentiments of some of my colleagues. It is important, however, to put this debate in context. Sport Ireland has allocated €85 million for sport in our country, which all of us herald, promote and support. We are announcing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome Ms Lennon and Mr Storey to the meeting. I thank them for their presentations and for taking the questions. Any of the comments I make are not personal to the witnesses. It is fair to say that of all the utility companies, Eir is the one that exercises people a lot. I believe it needs to address huge areas arising from today's meeting. In light of Deputy Lowry and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I say that in the context of Eir raising €298 million in revenue and earnings of €142 million. In my humble opinion as a customer of Eir, customer service and customer care are absolutely diabolical. I say that as a customer. A person dials a number and is asked to please punch in his or her number so Eir can remember for further queries. It does not happen in my case. That...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: They are very good, but the customer service wait time is inordinate. In light of what Deputy Lowry said, Eir needs to leave here today, not in a combative mood with us, but to restore its credibility, its customer care and service, and its image, because customer care and image is about service provision: Eir TV not working, calls dropping, and services not being strengthened. I believe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank Ms Lennon and I welcome that. She might give us an update on the roll-out of 5G, please. In terms of the broadband gaps that Deputy Lowry mentioned, I live in urban Cork and there are huge deficiencies in terms of broadband connectivity in places like Lehenaghmore, Monkstown and Ballinora. That is why it is important we see a re-evaluation of the relationship with National...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank Ms Lennon for her clarification on Sligo. It is important because people are incensed about it. I have had contacts from councillors from Laois, Cork, Leitrim, Dublin, Tipperary and Kerry just about Eir and customer relationships. I appeal to Ms Lennon: the staff when one gets through are phenomenal people, they deserve our thanks, but we, as citizens and customers, should not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: It is a very reputable firm.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of order, some of us are not part of a political grouping at the moment, and there does seem to be apartheid from the Chair regarding some of us.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: Gabh mo leithscéal, I am entitled to make a point of order-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: This is not the first time-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: Some of us have been here since the beginning of the Order of Business to facilitate a quorum, and have been here since half past the hour, and we were not able to get in. I do not know how the system is operated. I am not having a row with the Cathaoirleach, but there is apartheid against some of us in respect of the operation of procedure, which is grossly unfair.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: I have been here since 10.30 a.m. and-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and I raised my hand at 10.30 a.m. to speak. I am not having a row with the Cathaoirleach, but there needs to be an element of fairness in the allocation of speaking time. I will raise the issue again when I get to speak. I would like to make the point that it is not personal.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2020)

Jerry Buttimer: Well I have been here since 10.30 a.m.-----