Results 11,021-11,040 of 24,571 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The health of our nation will be well supported by the issue of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. I hope that Bill will return and will be passed. As a nation, we have a relationship with alcohol that needs to be changed and addressed. There is the issue of the price of alcohol and we all support minimum unit pricing. At least I hope Sinn Féin will support it since they had a...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is an important and historic day in this Chamber as we debate this legislation. I hope the House will not divide on it, notwithstanding the Minister of State's reference to the Department's concerns regarding the Bill. I commend Senator Nash and his Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward the legislation. They got ahead of the Fine Gael LGBT group on this occasion, as we were...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know she is not. She made a negative contribution on what should be a very positive day. That was disappointing when one considers the monumental amount of change that has been brought forward in recent years, especially by the last Government. We have moved from a time when people were prosecuted and imprisoned to a point when we can celebrate equality. I think today of friends who are...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: My point is that on a day for celebration, Senator Ruane's comments were somewhat negative. I am entitled to my view and to express it here as a Member of the House. The purpose of this Bill is to enhance equality, fairness and justice for those people were been hurt and let down, not just by the State but also by the church and society over a period of time. It is about addressing the...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: This Government and the last Government have been the most progressive ever on the issue of equality. I would challenge anybody on that. The proof is in the legislation we brought forward and the way in which we went about our business. I will not be lectured about what we did and did not do.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We worked hard, as a Government and as Government Members, to bring about change and advance equality. We did not sit quietly by; we worked hard to achieve things. That is why today is important for people like John Lyons, who is no longer in the Oireachtas. This Bill is about our friends, our people and ourselves. It is about those of us who were told we were not equal under the laws of...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The point I am making is that this is a day for celebration. This Government and its predecessor have worked more than any other in the history of the State to bring about equality.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We have brought about change.

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: This Bill, in tandem with the changes brought about the previous Government and the current Administration, helps us to come to terms with the past and to recognise and remember those people who were victims of the State. We have had progressive government, which built a platform for an Ireland where people are equal. The contribution Senator Ruane made was overtly negative around blood...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re psychoactive drugs, referral to committee, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: What meetings?

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Who is invited?

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Beidh sí anseo Déardaoin.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: He could not either.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Martin Groves ar an bpost nua a ghlac sé. As Leader of the House and on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I congratulate Martin Groves, an honourable, professional and decent man, on his appointment to the position of Clerk of Seanad Éireann. In my tenure as Leader, I have always found Martin to be impartial, fair, a thorough...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We are fortunate we have a good and wise man in this position.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In welcoming the new, I also wish to acknowledge the old and commend Deirdre Lane on her tenure as Clerk and wish her well. Sixteen Members raised the matter of the executive order signed by the US President, Donald Trump, as well as preclearance, the use of Shannon Airport and the visit of the Taoiseach to the White House on St. Patrick's Day. It was an extraordinary decision, irrespective...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We have access to the highest office of the land in America, to the most powerful person in the world at one level. On behalf of the many hundreds of thousands of people employed in this country and across the world with Irish-American links and having regard to investment links, it would be foolish to cut that tie. It is about diplomacy, access and being able to speak up on behalf of our...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----to become the Mayor of the most Irish-American city in America, with due respect to Senator Lawless and the city of Chicago. The Boston Mayor deserves great credit for the words he expressed.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Regarding the US pre-clearance facilities at Irish airports, I accept the bona fides of many Members of this House and those who comment on social media and elsewhere. As someone who has travelled extensively in America, I believe the removal of US pre-clearance facilities at Irish airports would hinder business. We must be careful to ensure we do not sever our economic ties with America....