Results 10,021-10,040 of 24,571 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 29 Members of the House who contributed to the Order of Business. Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom, ar nós an Cathaoirleach agus na Baill eile, fáilte a chur roimh gach éinne go dtí an Teach seo. Ba mhaith liom mo fhíorbhuíochas a ghabháil le foireann Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, Teach Laighean agus Ard-Mhúsaem na...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The collapse of the banking system and the decimation of the construction industry happened on its watch. For Fianna Fáil Senators to point the finger at the current Government when it was party to all of that is incredulous. Fianna Fáil needs to accept responsibility. That said, I accept that we have a road to travel. It is important the Rebuilding Ireland project results in...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator McDowell is, perhaps, rekindling his Dáil ambition and is not really concerned about reform of the Seanad but is using it as a political weapon. The Senator might clarify that issue another time.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I assure Senator McDowell that the Government is committed to reform of the Seanad. It is not a one trick pony in terms of Seanad reform. As Senator Coghlan said, there are disparate and different parts of that wheel that is the key part of Seanad reform. Senator McDowell will be pleased to hear that the Taoiseach is anxious to come to the Seanad to outline to Members his views on how we...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: If I may address the point which Senator O'Donnell raised, to be fair Senator Conway-Walsh told me she had to leave for a meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. The point the Senator makes is that some Senators do not do that. She at least had the courtesy to come to me and say that she was leaving, but I think Senator O'Donnell raises a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will try to come back with a note for Members on that issue over the coming days. I commend Senator Bacik for her role as chairperson of the women's suffrage committee which is celebrating women's right to vote. To be fair to the Senator she has shown huge leadership on this matter along with other Members of the House. I commend her on that and congratulate Trinity College on its 425th...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know that the Members of the House elected by Trinity College graduates - Senators Ruane, Bacik and Norris - represent the graduates of that university with distinction in this House. Senator Joe O'Reilly raised the issue of buses and public transport in Cavan. He has been very vocal on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, will be busy after the Order of Business today I am sure, given the demands and requests made of him. I have 29 people to reply to. I will try my best to get to everybody to be fair to those who raised matters. It is important that we encourage public transport. I join with Senator Clifford-Lee in commending the principal, an tUasal Ó Tuachaigh, for...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: This Government is committed to bringing the McMahon report to its finality in terms of implementing its recommendations, as was the previous Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that we continue to advance the rights and conditions of the people. We all agree that this is not the way to house people.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It ill behoves the Senator to take cheap shots at people and to use this as a political weapon.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am very much of the same view as the Senator. Direct provision is a blight on our-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We are doing something. The Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, has been before the House. The Senator knows full well there has been a litany of changes made by the Government. He should advance those changes rather than come to the House with the Sinn Féin script, opposing everything.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Dolan raised the issue of disability and young people in nursing homes. The point he made on the number of young people in nursing homes is one on which we should actively promote change. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, for coming to the House today to discuss the disability strategy. I gave the Senator a commitment to have this debate early in the term and to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is the first time in the 107 year history of Castlebar Golf Club that it has won the Jimmy Bruen Shield, and it is one that many people aspire to win. I congratulate Baile Átha Cliath on its successful retention of the Sam Maguire and its ladies team, which also won the all-Ireland last weekend.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I also congratulate Tipperary on winning the intermediate title, Galway on winning the all-Ireland hurling final and Cork on winning the all-Ireland camogie final. The one thing we see on Sundays in August and September is that our country is united in sport. We put aside our county rivalries and are united in sport. It was fitting to see the young player from Derry last weekend getting...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: As the only surviving child of the executed leaders in 1916, it is important we recognise, acknowledge, pay tribute and thank him. I wish him le braithe sona dó. Some Senators do not like to hear good news, but on the issue Senator Devine raised regarding the Simon Community health report, I make the point again that this year the Government has given an additional €2 million to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the one dimensional speech that the politburo issue and it cannot change.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Perhaps the Senator might acknowledge that money is being spent.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of local government budgets and cited different budgets. The Senator will know that it depends on a variety of factors as to where and how that distribution of local government funding is done, and I am sure the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Phelan, who shares the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny...