Results 11,381-11,400 of 24,571 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Kelleher raised the important issue of dementia and the 55,000 people in our country who suffer from the condition. I commend her on the work she is doing and on the work she did prior to becoming a Member of the House. Tomorrow is an important day and I urge Members to attend the briefing. The Government, with Atlantic Philanthropies, has committed €275 million to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will invite him to talk not only to those of us who are gay, but also to our allies, supporters and family members so that he can see the values we uphold and stand for and the progress our country has made. I suggest we are lucky and privileged to be citizens of a country that voted in such numbers in favour of marriage equality, a vote that is now shown to be significant across the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to recognise that the Taoiseach, as Head of State, must work with people.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I hope we can always call out people when they are wrong. The Victory Fund is an organisation that funds and supports LGBT candidates in the US. It is a source of joy that 86 candidates were elected to state or national parliaments in America last week. The new Governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, is the first LGBT governor to be elected. I had the privilege of meeting a young elected...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I said that I asked our Whip’s office about it following "Morning Ireland".

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I just want to put it on record again-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is actually because-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Nobody has been in direct contact with me about the appointment of Members of this House to that commission. I made an inquiry regarding its composition. Senator Colm Burke raised the very important issue of housing and the demand for it giving the example of Cork. We can debate that tomorrow with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney. Senator...

Seanad: Joint Committee on Public Petitions: Motion (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:That the papers of the Joint sub-Committee on Public Petitions of the 24th Seanad, insofar as those papers are, or relate to, public petitions addressed to the Houses of the Oireachtas which were not closed on the dissolution of the 24th Seanad, be referred to the Joint Committee on Public Petitions.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, Heritage Bill 2016 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 2 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 4 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: That is not correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ardagh raised the issue of climate change and the Minister will come before the House on 7 December for a debate on the matter. Mental health was raised by a number of Senators and as Leader of the House I take the request very seriously. I try, on Members' behalf, to facilitate debates with Ministers and since the beginning of this Seanad we have had ten cross-departmental debates...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Feighan spoke about the new far-right party but that is a matter for them. In answer to the point raised by Senator Humphreys, I would be very happy for the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss maternity as it is an important issue. Senator Gallagher raised the issue of gender in education and I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House for a debate. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It was unfortunate but he is committed to coming back to the House and I would be very happy for him to do so post-Christmas. Board appointments are a matter for the Department and the Minister, not for this House. It is a matter that has to be resolved, however. Senator Ó Donnghaile asked for the Taoiseach to come before the House but he will not be here before Christmas because we...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator attends the meetings I attend every week.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not going to get into a game of broken promises. Since I came into this position I have worked in good faith with all sides of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not going to be accused of playing a game. I am giving an honest answer. We have legislation to pass and if the Senator wants to be here in the first week of Christmas that is fine. His colleagues do not, however,

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I was a member of the Constitutional Convention and was one of only two people who missed none of its sittings.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister for the diaspora and the Government are committed to exploring the issue. If it takes time so be it because we need to make sure we do it right. There is a profound implication in what is being proposed and we will work to make it happen. The Constitutional Convention does not have the power to instruct but to recommend. Senator Norris raised direct provision and there is a...