Results 8,981-9,000 of 24,338 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Housing: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I did not slander anybody and Senator Higgins knows I did not do so.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (31 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Kelleher should check the record and talk to people in the Cork Business Association and come out and walk the streets with me. I will do that any day the Senator would like. I will conclude by saying that activity is taking place. We have a challenge to meet, but let us reflect on what the Government has done and what it is trying to do. Let us be fair in the debate. Let us not...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State and commend her on her engagement. As Senator Higgins said, there was huge engagement on the part of the Department in respect of the Bill. That is to be welcomed because it is a better Bill as a result. This is important legislation. The Minister of State said it is "critical legislation for the higher education sector and another important step in the...

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I know and I am sorry, but I am passionate about this. There is engagement. We could have lost all of this work but we did not because there was willingness by the Minister of State and the Department to engage. There was willingness by other stakeholders to engage also. That is a positive.

Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am sorry.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Business of Committee (31 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: As we have a quorum I call the meeting to order. I propose that we deal with housekeeping matters in private session.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, Private Members' business, Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m., with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours; and No. 2, Technological Universities Bill 2015 - Second Stage, to be taken at 6.45 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 7.45 p.m., with the time allocated to group...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 11 Senators who raised myriad items on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh referred to the primary care centre on Curlew Road. I am not familiar with the specific case but I liaised with the Minister's office after she raised the matter on the Order of Business last week. It is important to reassert the Government's commitment to primary care. It is the most important issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Some 25,892 individuals had their housing needs met last year under Rebuilding Ireland. The Government exceeded its overall target for new social housing supports in 2017 by 23%.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: That is more than 4,800 additional tenancies. The 2017 level of support was an increase of 36% over 2016 or 6,847 more households. Will I continue? I know the facts. I realise the Senator does not wish to hear good news on housing-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----but I will be happy to debate it with her tomorrow as well. I agree with the Senator that there is a generation of young people who wish to be able to buy houses and live in their own homes. They do not wish to be renting or to be on city or county council housing waiting lists. I accept that fully, but please do not mislead the House by saying that nothing is happening and no social...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and introduce her to people who have received keys to their homes under Rebuilding Ireland. They have their homes and are living as a family. I will bring the Senator to the houses.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: She can look at them and marvel at the wonder of people being housed under Rebuilding Ireland. Then I will bring her across to Dean Rock estate where houses are being constructed as we speak. She can see them and acknowledge that we are building houses. She cannot ignore the fact that, on her party's watch, the construction sector was decimated, the banking system was on its knees and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The problem is that Senator Gallagher does not wish to remember that. We have to tell him, to remind him that his party can never be trusted again to be in government by itself. That is why we have a confidence and supply arrangement, whereby we can work together to ensure we never return to what was done in the boom-and-bust era of Bertie Ahern and Charlie McCreevy, when the Senator's...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Gallagher is the education spokesperson and knows the importance of history.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: One can learn from history. That is why Rebuilding Ireland is the cornerstone. Yes, we have a road to travel and I accept we have a great deal of work to do. It is unacceptable that people are waiting. That is why the Government made an announcement on the affordable scheme last week. It is important that we build more houses and we create the environment in which to do that. Members...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The country is flying now. Senator Ó Ríordáin is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: We need to address the issue with section 39 organisations and I would be very happy to have that debate in the House. As Senator Ó Ríordáin knows quite well, those organisation were not directly funded by the HSE. He has raised the differences in their pay and conditions. Anyone who works in the health system is entitled to and deserves to have equal and fair pay. Those of...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The whole country did not go on strike when the Senator and his party were in government.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It is amazing how Members forget things when they leave government.