Results 11,541-11,560 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of order, I did not hear the amendment Senator Gerard P. Craughwell said he was proposing. Will he repeat it, please?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 26 Senators who spoke. We need to take a collective deep breath as Members of the Upper House. I know that we all still have the "L" plates. However, this is Parliament and we should all behave accordingly. If we need to look at how we do our business, let us do so, but the comments of Senator Rose Conway-Walsh came true today. I believe that on the Order of Business it...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to accept the proposal made by Senator Murnane O'Connor in that regard. However, as we have done with other elements of Government policy, if there is a serious willingness to acknowledge that the role of councillors, their terms and conditions, work rate and remit have changed, let us not play political games. Let us collectively form an all-party cross-party group, to include...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It applies particularly to Government Members. On the first or second day of this Seanad, Senator Paddy Burke had a motion on K class contributions.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is my intention to take the Bill on Seanad reform next week when there will be an opportunity to have this issue form part of that discussion. I know that the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, is working on the very serious issue of the terms and conditions and role of local authority members. He is putting a plan in place, with a package of measures. In fairness to him, he has had to...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We have also seen the Garda overtime budget increase to €90 million. It is this Government that re-opened Templemore, that has provided more resources to the Garda and that recruited more gardaí. I hope we recognise that it is not the case the Government is not doing anything; to be fair, it is doing much, as is the Minister for Justice and Equality, with the Garda Commissioner....

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is a pity he has had to resign. I have known former Senator O'Toole for a long time and it is a pity-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: In the context of the Order of Business, I am just making the point that new politics means one thing one day and something slightly different another day.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He is a very astute, good public servant who has done a lot of work for the State on many issues and in many roles. I understand he has resigned. Senators Conway-Walsh, Kelleher and O'Reilly raised the issue of family carers. I agree with them that the implementation of the national strategy on carers needs to be a priority in the Department of Social Protection. I hope we will have the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to reiterate to Senator Humphreys-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----that the example I referred to earlier relating to the manner in which councillors' pay and conditions is handled applies to the eighth amendment and to sensitive social issues. On two occasions in this Chamber we were able to produce a report and a Bill and to have the issue addressed. The Attorney General, as I understand it, said - and I am not in Cabinet-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----that the Bill, as presented to the Lower House, is unconstitutional. My view is that if one is a member of Cabinet and a Bill is deemed unconstitutional, one should not proceed to vote for that Bill, on two bases-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: First, one is putting a Bill forward that cannot be enacted and, second, one is giving false hope and playing politics with a very sensitive issue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I would be happy to ask the Taoiseach to come in but I will not play politics with it-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will. I apologise; I am still learning.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I have dealt with the issue raised by Senator Murnane O'Connor regarding councillors' pay. Senators Butler, Paddy Burke and Reilly raised the very important issue of the role of our local towns, particularly concerning small and medium-sized enterprises and rates. I agree with the speakers, particularly Senator Paddy Burke, that there is a need for the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I reiterate that the Minister for Social Protection will come before the House and that this matter can form part of the discussion with him. Let us have a balanced and fair discussion on it. Senator Feighan raised the issue of the all-Ireland forum and Senator Leyden raised the issue of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly today. The Taoiseach is right in that we need to have an...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I would be happy to talk to the Senator-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Regarding the one point that I know Senator Norris raised, this is no mongrel government. I assure him of that. Senator Mulherin referred to broadband. I would be happy for the Minister, Deputy Naughten, to attend the House to discuss that issue or for the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, to discuss its importance for jobs. The House has had a sequence of statements on jobs and I hope...