Results 10,501-10,520 of 24,339 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----to celebrate the historic achievements of women around the world in sport, civic life, arts, culture, music and other spheres. It is important that we recognise and pay tribute to women. It is a pity that we do not have the first female President of the US. That would have shattered a glass ceiling. We saw what Presidents Robinson and McAleese did in Ireland. We have seen what many...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: While I do not wish to strike a discordant note, the facts are facts, but the Senator can have alternative facts, if she so wishes. It is important to indicate that the Government is doing work.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Government is doing work.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I also accept that the Government must play catch-up because funding was not provided in some areas during the worst recession in the history of the State. I will work with Senators to deliver in these areas, but they should not claim the Government is not doing anything when, to be fair, it is doing work.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Gerard P. Craughwell referred to Paddy Power, Betfair and the gambling Bill. I join him in calling for the introduction of legislation on online gambling, in particular. He is correct that gambling is a secret addiction which has shattered and ruined many lives. We must tackle the issue collectively rather than creating silos. It is frightening to note that profits of €1.5...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree, but one cannot have megaphone diplomacy on the national broadcaster. Both sides should engage, discuss and reach a solution in talks to ensure a service will continue to be provided. Nobody wants a strike, which would not be in anyone's interests. I understand a strike has been proposed for next Wednesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Both sides should engage in talks. Senator Joe O'Reilly referred to the misuse of alcohol at teenage discos. I know that the Senator has been proactive in his home area and the House on this matter. I was involved in a sports organisation which ran teenage discos. They were well policed by volunteers and no alcohol was consumed. However, it seems the phenomenon of pre-drinking has...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Gender quotas have helped to bring more women into politics. Perhaps the Senator's assertion that some token women ran in the most recent general election is correct, but I hope that is not the case.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: All of the women Ministers, at senior and junior level, are playing a key role in the development of policies and shining a positive light on the role of women in politics. I return to my point that it is an awful pity that we do not have President Clinton here on International Women's Day. What a signal that would have sent to the young women in the Visitors Gallery in aspiring to be the...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion (8 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I commend Senator Conway for the motion before the House. It is important to put matters in context. The week in which we are having this debate, Government Ministers and representatives of State agencies are travelling to the four corners of the world. We have many important and historic monuments and buildings across the world promoting Ireland, for...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the former Senator, Mr. Heffernan, to the Gallery and wish him well. I hope that Limerick does not win the All-Ireland this year. The Order of Business is No. 1, Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 4.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister was here two weeks ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: She.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 20 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhgairdeachas a gabháil le Bridget Doody as ucht post nua a glachadh. In congratulating her on her appointment, we are blessed and lucky as a House to have a person of her calibre. I have had the pleasure of working with her on a number of initiatives in the Oireachtas and I have always found her to...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that Members are aware there will be a motion before the House tomorrow night regarding the Grace inquiry and there will be statements on the Tuam issue on Thursday. It is imperative that as a society we deal with the awful legacies of our past, as the Taoiseach said. They are an awful blight on the name of Ireland, on our people, on our culture and on ourselves. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Minister for Finance to pull the hand brake a small bit in terms of the Central Bank. We all accept that there should be regulation and oversight. The credit union movement that Nora Herlihy set up was not meant to be considered a bank but to work for people in communities in all parts of Ireland. I am very concerned at the way the Central Bank has treated credit unions. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Humphreys, has commissioned a report on rural Ireland that shall be chaired by Pat Spillane. I am of the viewpoint that we need post offices in rural Ireland. The Government is committed to rural Ireland and the Minister was in the House. We have an Action Plan for Rural Development. If the Senator wishes to...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to invite the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, to the House-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----if the report ever sees the light of day.