Results 11,481-11,500 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the commission because we can have a real debate about water, the payment of charges and the funding of our network, system and services. I challenge anyone in the House to show me the colour of his or her money. The Irish Water list of projects for Cork is going to require investment. That means money. As Sinn Féin becomes more mainstream, as it has done in the North of...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The memorandum of understanding is clear, as Senator Craughwell, Senator Humphreys and Senator Coffey have said. We are opening ourselves to daily fines from the European Union if we do not continue to charge for water. These will cost the Irish taxpayer more and more money and that will mean less investment. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Fianna Fáil in government....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He cannot do that. Moreover, Deputy Barry Cowen cannot promise everything and deliver nothing in terms of investment.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: What we are doing today with this Bill is to provide for the setting up of the commission. I believe the bona fides of the Minister of State, Deputy English, and the Minister, Deputy Coveney. The energy regulator has been sidelined. The regulator is the independent authority that approved the pricing structure for water and other utilities. Let us remember that under the memorandum of...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: If we want a debate about water, then let us have it. There is another concerning aspect that no one here has addressed. Last week, Professor Seamus Coffey from UCC referred to the revelation of the significant drop in the number of people who had paid bills by the end of the last billing quarter. There has been a 50% drop. The company is looking to collect approximately €260...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: If we are to have investment in our water network and system, then let us allow this commission to produce its report.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: If the commission makes a recommendation as part of the final outcome, then I will accept that as a democrat. We can talk about new politics but that does not mean we can be a catch-all for everyone. Let us remember 1977. The Leas-Chathaoirleach was an active member at the time.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will finish on this point. That was the beginning of the end of local government funding. Then, we had a gargantuan U-turn by one political party and we are going to see another one now with this question. I welcome this commission. I hope it will be a success and I will await its outcome. I very much regret the fact that Joe O'Toole had to resign. He was forced out. This is...

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:That Seanad Éireann: approves the calling of a Citizens’ Assembly to consider the following matters and to make such recommendations as it sees fit and report to the Houses of the Oireachtas: (i) the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution; (ii) how we best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population; (iii) fixed term parliaments; and (iv) the...

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I wish to share time with Senator James Reilly. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House. Notwithstanding the remarks of Senator McDowell, some of which I agree with, I very much welcome the composition and creation of the citizens' assembly. It is a good idea, not least because the decision-making rests in the Houses of the Oireachtas and with the people. Ultimately,...

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: There was no pre-emption, in fairness. I believe the only downside of the Constitutional Convention was that the Government failed to come back in a timely manner with a report on the proceedings of the convention. I say that as one of just two politicians who did not miss any of the days of the Constitutional Convention. I travelled to various events as part of the convention....

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with Senator McDowell that there is a need for transparency on the selection process. I do not subscribe to the theory that it will come down to self-selection or that the selection process is open to manipulations being put forward by others. I refer to my experience of the Constitutional Convention. I found it hard to listen to the contribution of Senator Ó Domhnaill, whom I...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----level of research and preparation they undertook in their participatory role in the convention. The academic panels put with those were, to be fair, balanced and unbiased, and they brought forward clear papers for everybody. Senator McDowell referred to the cost of the assembly, but we can argue that we should not have any Ministers of State-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----or that we should abolish the Seanad or-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----dare we try, that we should reduce legal fees and that would save the taxpayers' money

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We can argue about the exigencies of costs until the cows come home-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I have no problem with that either, or Independent Senators not taking the leaders' allowance. We can argue the point.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I was sceptical at the beginning of the Constitutional Convention but it was breathtaking. Cynicism does not do any good. I accept Senator McDowell's fundamental point that it is us and the people who will decide and that will be the final part of the process. Nothing will change that, but if we want to have broader participation in how our country is run and governed, then this is a...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It was clear in my remarks that I was not referring to the subject matter. I was referring to the document about the conduct of the meeting. The Senator is being suggestive in his remarks.