Results 9,841-9,860 of 24,339 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes, I thank Senator Feighan. We cannot compromise on water quality. The Expert Commission on the Future Funding of Domestic Public Water Services speaks about equality. We want to see equality. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, chaired by Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh, recommended there would be an enhanced budget for small group...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Griffin, is responsible for tourism. We are fixated on Deputy Ross for some reason. It is extraordinary that he has become the bogey man-----

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy that the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, will come to the House and work with all Senators on tourism. I would also be happy for Deputy Ross to come back to the House. Senator Craughwell referred to the Oireachtas and irresponsible comments. I am tempted to have a political row but I will not. He is right. There is a need for all of us to be careful of what we say and do.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will not refer to anybody but will say it of us all collectively. What we say and how we say it is heard, does implicate us and has an import. It is important we choose our words carefully. Sometimes we do not do that but we should. Senator Colm Burke referred to health and I welcome the good news he gave of the reduction in numbers of those who have taken their own lives. The problems...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the establishment of the Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2017 – Second Stage, to be taken at 2.15 p.m. and to conclude no later than 3.30 p.m., with the contribution of group spokespersons not...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Tell Senator Gavan that.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 20 Senators who spoke for their contributions to the Order of Business. Senators Ardagh, Ruane and Ó Ríordáin made reference to yesterday's launch of the national strategy on drug and alcohol use in Ireland. I welcome that it is a health-led response. I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Catherine Byrne, on her role. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In fairness, however, we must give credit where it is due. It is imperative that we work on this strategy. A working group has been established and this will examine alternative approaches regarding possession for personal use as well as how considering how this programme might be rolled out across different communities. The idea is to encapsulate what Senator Ardagh rightly said in terms...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Our policy of restoring pay and conditions is also quite good. If Senator Gavan had his way, we would perhaps have people not working at all.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Robbie Gallagher and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin made reference to the pupil-teacher ratio. I would be happy to accept Senator Ó Ríordáin's amendment to the Order of Business, continuing our love-in this morning. We disagree in this case. The budget for 2016 committed to reducing the pupil-teacher ratio, as does the programme for Government. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Sorry. I have a group here comprising Senator Paul Gavan, Senator Mark Daly and Senator James Reilly. I cannot read my own writing given how bad it is. As Leader of the House, I have given a commitment that we will not stop or obstruct the passage of the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill. It was on the schedule for this week, but at Senator Daly's behest, it...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will work with all people in a non-political way to advance the cause of all peoples who are marginalised in our society and community, and Senator Daly will attest to that. It is important that we get a Bill that can be delivered and acted upon immediately rather than being lost in the other House. That is the fundamental goal that we both share. Senator Joe O'Reilly made reference to...

Seanad: Establishment of Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care: Motion (18 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:"That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders- (a) Seanad Éireann noting-(i) the pressures on mental health services, the waiting times for services, and the need to improve services in certain parts of the country, (ii) the consensus that the 2006 policy ‘A Vision for Change’ charts the best way forward for mental health services, and (iii) the fact that,...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 18 July 2017, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, the discharge of the order for Report Stage of the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 2a, Ministers and Secretaries...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 16 Members of the House and the Cathaoirleach for their contributions to the Order of Business. I thank Senator Mark Daly for the extensive discussion yesterday. It is important we achieve the right result at the end of the process. Rather than creating a situation next week in which we will not necessarily have finality in terms of the Bill, I suggest to Senator Daly that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy that the new bromance between the Labour Party and Fianna Fáil is beginning to happen.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It was Senator Daly's party in government that introduced many public private partnerships for roads, schools and so forth. There is a need to look at the whole issue around PPPs. The Senator mentioned the 10% and I do not necessarily disagree with the remarks made by him or by Deputy Howlin on this matter. We will have that discussion next week as part of the economic statement. When it...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Gavan made reference to the issue of the right of citizens of the North to vote in European Parliament elections. That is a matter the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will consider. I have not got the direct answer for the Senator but it is a matter we should...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is an operational matter for the HSE rather than the Minister. I will talk to the Senator about it after the Order of Business. Senator Colm Burke referenced the issue of the medical cannabis Bill and the decision of the committee yesterday. He has highlighted quite rightly the process available and the protocols associated with supply and the availability of medical cannabis. It is a...

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (13 Jul 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad shall meet at 12 noon on Tuesday, 18th July, 2017 and the Order of Business shall be proposed at 1 p.m.