Results 9,441-9,460 of 24,338 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I fundamentally agree with the Cathaoirleach's ruling, which was very magnanimous. I thank the 27 Members who contributed on today's Order of Business. Senators Ardagh and McDowell raised the issue of the national children's hospital and the naming thereof. I wish to inform the House that there was a nine month consultative process to which 300 submissions were made. The name that was...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I was not aware of the fact that Phoenix was the name of a beer but perhaps the name needs to be reflected upon again, given the volume of submissions by medics and councillors - not that I would necessarily be led by some of the councillors on Dublin City Council - and the comments of Senators McDowell and Ardagh. I am happy to bring their concerns to the attention of the Minister. That...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator comes in here and lambastes the Government but forgets that her party leader cut the budget three times when he was Minister for Health. He cut the health budget for three years in a row.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is correct. The important point is that the waiting times, which we all accept are too high, are being reduced. There were significant decreases in October in the size of the 15 to 18 month waiting lists and the 12 month waiting lists are down by almost 20%.We all welcome the fact that the Minister, Deputy Harris, in the recent budget, secured the biggest increase in the health budget in...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Some time-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----Senator Murnane O'Connor might listen.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senators might do me the courtesy of listening.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I stated that waiting times are too long, if Senator Murnane O'Connor listened to what I said, but the Senator playing politics with it will not solve the issue. Senator Murnane O'Connor's party's history in health is appalling. Fianna Fáil ran out of the Department of Health. It had not a Fianna Fáil Minister in Hawkins House. It put the former Deputy, Mary Harney, in there and...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Fianna Fáil has not published a health document since.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am, a Chathaoirligh. Senators McDowell, Humphreys, Mullen and Wilson made reference to a combination of proposed visits to North Korea and to the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan. I make the point regarding Senator McDowell's point on the constitutionality of collective Cabinet decision-making that to the best of my knowledge, that has not changed. I have not had the privilege of being...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Humphreys asked about the handbook. It is the Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach, not the Taoiseach, who gives every Minister his or her handbook-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----on the first day he or she sits at the Cabinet table and explains his or her responsibilities and duties.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There is one Government policy, there is one Government and they speak as a collective, and that has not changed. In regard to the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, it is regrettable that he used the words that he did and asked the question he did. He has admitted that he was wrong. Personally, I do not believe he should appeal the case. He made a mistake and he should definitely pay...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the Pobal deprivation index report that was published. The Government has created the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Minister, Deputy Ring, is the first Minister at Cabinet with responsibility to respond to the challenges facing rural Ireland and to ensure that the recovery that is happening affects the four corners of the country....

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There are positives in the report too, that Senator Ó Clochartaigh should reference as well. The Senator should not always be the harbinger of bad news. There is good news in it too and it is important to hear that.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Humphreys and Boyhan made reference to housing, Rebuilding Ireland and affordability. I would be happy to have the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, come to the House in regard to the matter. Senators Paddy Burke and Feighan made reference to the articles written by Joe Brolly in regard to Peadar Heffron. It is disturbing to read those articles, and disappointing to hear that there...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden asked about the Government-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator asked about the Government action.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator asked about the Government action and I will tell him what we have done so far. We reversed the closure of Templemore.