Results 10,141-10,160 of 24,339 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: What the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, said was that it would be looked at. The Senator's leader in the Seanad was critical of the scheme's lack of take up a couple of weeks ago in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There is a need to promote it more. I certainly think that we should be incentivising and helping people to get on the property ladder, in this case first-time buyers. To address Senator Mac Lochlainn's contribution, I have spoken to Senator McFadden about Jadotville and I have also met with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, in that regard. The Senator might not think we are trying to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will endeavour to do that. To be fair, I know the Minister of State was away on Government business relating to the Defence Forces because I had asked for a meeting this week. He has just returned this morning. I met him this morning. I will endeavour to get that meeting.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will try to deliver. I am being genuine in that. Senator Mullen raised the very important issue of farm thefts and the need for vigilance and proactivity in rural Ireland. I certainly agree with him. We have seen a decline in burglary across the country. I have not got the figures to which the Senator referred, but it is worrying that we have seen an increase in theft at this time of...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I believe the right to strike was the predominant issue which Senator Gavan raised in his contribution. There is nobody who wishes to prevent members of a union from going on strike.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is not being proposed by anybody.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: No, he did not say that actually. Neither of the candidates have said-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----they would withdraw the right to strike, to be fair. As somebody who was a member of a union, I recognise the importance of the right to strike. Equally, we need to have a debate about making resolutions of the Labour Court binding. I am only posing a question. Should some public workers not be allowed to go on strike, for example our gardaí, our Defence Forces and people who...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We would not have it in the context of the Fine Gael leadership contest.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Senator's interest in that contest, but we would have the debate in the context of our society. Senator Warfield raised the issue of the importance of the Arts Council of Ireland. I did not know that this matter of the productivity of artists was being put forward. The Senator's presentation of the Colm Tóibín piece was a very good example of members of the arts...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on public service broadcasting, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude not later than 6.30 p.m. with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than 6.25 p.m.; No. 2, statements on the national rehabilitation hospital,...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 19 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. I thank all the Senators who spoke eloquently, passionately and sincerely about the awful tragedy and atrocity that happened in Manchester last evening. We must all stand united in the fight against terrorism. I agree with the overarching remarks of Members of the House regarding the way in which the world has moved. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes, as the Senator knows, the Government is committed to the issue of mental health, and I will come back with a response on this. It is important the information is provided. I do not have it because I was not aware of it, but I am happy to have the Department liaise with the Senator directly. Senator Dolan raised the issue of the public sector pay talks, which commenced yesterday. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Let me finish before you say "No". The Senator might get what he wants if he listens. If the Senator waits until the Minister comes in next week and hears what he has to say he can then table his motion rather than doing so tomorrow. I am asking the Senator to defer until he hears what the Minister says first. The Minister will be here next week and as part of that debate Senator Dolan...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am very much aware of the remarks made by the Senator. We have heard them. I want to put the matter in context. As I said, the Government is committed to increasing the mental health budget. The Vote for the Department of Health is passed to give money directly to the HSE for the provision of services.I recognise there is a need to improve our mental health services and provide more...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Without pre-empting the result of the Fine Gael leadership contest, the Senator and the Deputy might talk to the new Taoiseach or the Minister for Justice-----

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----whoever they may be, or the existing Minister for Justice, to ensure that the necessary funding is available. In my city of Cork the provision of CCTV facilities has increased. I might give Senator Murnane O'Connor some tips afterwards.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The point Senator Murnane O'Connor made is an important one. Senator Boyhan raised an important point concerning the direct provision system. We had the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, in the House last week dealing with the issue of the implementation of the migrant strategy and some Members raised with him the direct provision system. All of us recognise the need for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that he would use that. To be fair, he may be supportive but I do not believe his party in the North has been doing a huge amount.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In saying that, we might use that as part of the negotiations.