Results 10,401-10,420 of 24,339 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: He rightly said that 700,000 people die from smoking across Europe and 6,000 of our own citizens die, while big tobacco is interested in promoting smoking among people, particularly young people.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes. We acknowledge his support and that of the former Senator Jillian van Turnhout, who played a key role. I also thank the Irish Cancer Society for its role. Senator Norris raised the issue of wages and conditions. We got into a bit of bother last week for some of our comments. I am on record as saying that fobbing in is not a way to do business. In city and county councils members...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, Health (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each and all other Senators' not to exceed five minutes each.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 25 Members for their contributions on the Order of Business. The Cathaoirleach made a point about the number of items raised on the Order of Business and the fact that many Members do not wait to get the reply. I might join him in walking out some day and giving no reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We should respect the Chair. I thank Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh, Humphreys and Boyhan who raised the Garda Síochána issue. All of us are united in considering the issues to be most disturbing and corrosive to the morale of An Garda Síochána and the way in which it is perceived by the public. This needs to be arrested and reversed. Government has committed to an...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is a fair point. The Minister is as eager as anybody to have the matter resolved.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that we get a balance in regard to the dispute. It is also about efficiencies and about a model that involves having a secure public-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I did not interrupt the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I want to have a public transport system that serves the commuters of this country. As Senator Gavan knows well from his experience of being involved in activity, cheap talk will not solve this.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Equally-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I fully understand the personal impact this dispute has had on Bus Éireann workers. As I have said, this is about having a bus company. Government policy is supportive of the PSO model. That is why there has been an increase in the amount of money provided. Some €230 million has been provided to Bus Éireann across the PSO through free travel, capital programmes and school...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Then, when we have this matter resolved, I am sure the Government and the Minister, Deputy Ross, will be very happy to talk to all sides as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators McDowell, Noone and Mulherin-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I did not say that.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I did not.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will clarify what I said for the benefit of Senator Ó Ríordáin.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Deputy is not on the stage on the Gaiety now. Let me respond.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Let me clarify it for Senator Ó Ríordáin again. What I said was that once the matter was resolved, I would assume that the Minister, Deputy Ross, would engage with Bus Éireann and the workers to have viable public transport. To give a definitive answer, the Minister has been here twice in the past couple of weeks and I would be happy to have him come in again. I have no...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In response to Senators McDowell, Noone and Mulherin regarding the issue of judicial appointments, the Bill is in gestation. I note the remarks of the Law Society this morning. It has changed its position and is now in support of at least having a lay majority on the judicial appointments commission. I know this puts it at a difference with the Bar Council. What is important, irrespective...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There must be something in the water today.