Results 9,101-9,120 of 24,338 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No.1, motion re orders of reference of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Social Welfare Bill 2017 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and adjourned not later than 5 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 53, Private...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 15 Senators who contributed on today's Order of Business. The issue of health was raised by Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh and Ó Ríordáin. I will begin by saying that the trolley figures show a decrease of 509 in comparison to this time last year. In November, 1,864 fewer patients were on trolleys and year on year, 2,373 fewer patients were on trolleys....

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is great at putting words out there. It would serve her better to acknowledge what the Government is trying to do and to work with us rather than serving up the single transferable speech from west Belfast. Let us have some reality here.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I have no difficulty with the Cathaoirleach's comment but the reality must be faced as well. Senator Craughwell, in his contribution, made reference to the fact that we must acknowledge the positive developments that are happening. I said in my response to Senators that nobody should be on a trolley in our hospitals. In that context, Senator Conway-Walsh should not lecture me about the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The figures are decreasing-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and the problem for Senator Conway-Walsh and her party is that they are for nothing and against everything. They do not recognise-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: She does not recognise, in any shape or form, that there is investment in our health system. She will not acknowledge that recruitment is taking place and that capital investment is happening in hospitals around the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: She does not listen.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister for Health and the Government are committed to breaking the cycle of overcrowding and of people having to wait for procedures. That is happening through the renegotiation of the GP contract, investment in primary care, changes in diagnostics and how we do business as well as through an increase in home care packages. That is the reality but I know that Senator Conway-Walsh does...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am very happy to-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am very happy to have the Minister come to the House again to take part in a debate, as he has done previously. I have no issue with that.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The reality is that in November 2017 there were 1,800 fewer people on trolleys by comparison to last November. That is a decrease and can be described as a positive trend downwards. There are 405 patients waiting on trolleys in acute hospitals today. While we all accept that there should be nobody on trolleys, there is a reality that must be faced by all sides of this House. The reality...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is the other point. I am not going to go into a long-winded reply but there are consequences for the legislation for a wide variety of organisations, groups and political parties, and that is fair enough. The Department has met representatives of Amnesty International and other groups to examine the issue around the definition of "political purposes". As Senator Norris said, SIPO has...

Seanad: Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (13 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:That, in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, that the Order of the Seanad of 23rd February, 2017, as amended by the Orders of 13th April, 2017 and 20th July, 2017, relating to the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, be amended as follows: (i) by the deletion in paragraph 10 of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion regarding recast of the EU reception conditions Directive 2013/33/EU, referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Finance Bill 2017 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 3.15 p.m.; and No. 3, Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017 – Second Stage, to be taken on conclusion of No. 2...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming our visitors to the Gallery and commend Senator Ó Donnghaile on hosting the film screening this evening, on which I wish him well. On a joyful note, on behalf of the House, I extend our comhghairdeas to our colleague and friend, Senator Neale Richmond, and his wife, Babs, on the birth of their new baby boy, Luke Thomas. I wish them well as they...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Richmond was getting worried that the longer the pregnancy lasted, the more rugby matches he would miss. That concern has been resolved and he is now off the hook. Luke Thomas will be heading to the Aviva stadium soon. Senator Ardagh raised the important issue of the redress scheme, specifically in respect of the Magdalen women. The views of the Department of Justice and Equality...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is good news for the city of Dublin but few gave the new Luas line a great welcome today.It is amazing how good news goes untold in the Seanad but it is good to have it anyway. I will do that for the Senator. Senator Reilly raised the issue of the HIQA Bill in respect of our hospitals. We all want our hospitals to be licensed and to provide the best of care to patients. We will have...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is harder to get me from this side. The Senator is coming closer to me. I genuinely wish him well. Senator Murnane O'Connor sometimes gives me cause to wonder. Garda strength and deployment are operational matters for the Commissioner and the force. If I told her that ten gardaí would be deployed to Leighlinbridge, she would give out to me for getting involved, but I assure her...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should not worry. Councillor Michael Doran is well able to look after Leighlinbridge and he is doing a good job.