Results 7,641-7,660 of 24,330 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Brexit was not caused by this Government. It has been foisted on us and we are going to have to ensure we wear the green jersey.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister for Finance has been championing prudent policy in the budget. It is what he is known for. Our economy is approaching full employment and it is important not to overheat it and that we learn from what happened in the past. I am sure the Senator will join me in wishing the Minister well regarding the budget. Senator Mark Daly also raised the issue of organ donation. I know he...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I chaired the Joint Committee on Health and Children which did very comprehensive work on organ donation. Senator Colm Burke was part of that committee. Senator Mark Daly's contribution on organ donation this morning was very one-dimensional. He is going against people such as Professor Jim Egan and Philip Watt of the Cystic Fibrosis Society.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I did not interrupt the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator spoke about Ireland and the world. He should consider the Spanish model and how it has transformed organ donation.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: All parties are in favour of what the Minister for Health is proposing. At the committee I chaired and of which Senator Colm Burke is now a member, Senator Mark Daly's party supported it as well. Let us have a real debate about organ donation.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to consider what happened as a consequence of the wonderful documentary on Orla Tinsley. There were 5,000 requests for organ donations as a consequence. Organ donation saves lives, it gives people a second chance. If we can improve our status from 15th to 28th in the European Union and improve people's lives and give them a second chance I am in favour of what the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Boyhan and Mark Daly raised the issue of housing. I would be happy to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, to the House to address housing and homelessness. I commend the Minister. There is an obligation on Members, when they come into the House, to put forward policies. For once, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Let us hear what they would do.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Let us not base policy on voodoo economics.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with Senators Boyhan and Conway-Walsh that the Minister of State, Deputy English, needs to come to the House to discuss the pyrite issue, which is a serious concern for many families and homeowners. The Minister of State established the pyrite remediation scheme and Pyrite Resolution Board, which have dealt with more than 1,000 redress requests. I know from reading the report...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I commend the Senator on her wonderful bravery and eloquence on radio and television. The success of a good book can be judged from the reviews written by those charged with that responsibility. I read a number of reviews and they were extraordinary. It took great courage and much work on the Senator's part to write the book and dedicate time to it. While I do not want to be patronising,...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It was addressed by the commission. What was dismissed was that pay was a factor in people deciding whether to join or remain in the health service. We can argue that point. Public sector pay has been increased and we have seen new rates of pay. What we need now is work on how we can entice people to come back or to stay. The Public Service Pay Commission, of which I was not part,...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am just making a point. What the Senator is looking for may not be the answer. It may not be about money. If the Senator had a conversation with some people who went abroad and do not intend to return, she may find there is a variety of reasons they will not come home.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: There is an obligation and duty not to talk down the health system and make it sound as if it is absolutely awful. It is not.I want us to have a health system that functions on behalf of patients and in which staff are rewarded and have good working conditions.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Tim Lombard referred to the Tidy Towns competition. I congratulate all of the winners. Listowel was the national winner, while Carrigaline in my area won a gold award. Bishopstown had its points increased. I also congratulate those involved in Ballincollig.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am delighted to hear that. It is important to recognise the voluntarism of the many thousands across the country who enhance and improve the public realm and without whom, many towns would be a poorer place in which to live. Senators Tim Lombard and Kevin Humphreys referred to the public school bus system. Senator Kevin Humphreys is correct that there is a need to look at the catchment...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with Senator Paul Daly on the issue of telephone call charges, whether flat-rate calls or otherwise. The issue should be raised as a matter of urgency, perhaps by way of a Commencement catter, and addressed as a priority because the Senator is correct that calls to a variety of service providers often entail inordinate delays. I was recently left on hold for 48 minutes and when I...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: No, I have no difficulty in that regard. When I got through, I asked to speak to a particular agent and was told that it was a matter for the supervisor. The supervisor came on the line and told me that it was not part of his or her brief. It was nearly an hour before I received any answer and even then I did not receive a complete answer. The point raised by the Senator should be taken...