Results 11,601-11,620 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I propose to amend the Order of Business to change times to allow statements on the Ibrahim Halawa case to be taken at the conclusion of No. 2, the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016, and to conclude within one hour, and for statements on waste disposal charges to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3. Each group spokesperson will have five minutes and the Minister will have five minutes to...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Given the delay in our business due to the votes in the Dáil and other factors, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business. The Minister has other engagements and has changed his diary to suit us. I propose that a Senator representing each group be allowed to speak for five minutes and that the Minister be called to reply at 5.40 p.m. before statements conclude.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (30 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: As the Minister, Deputy Coveney, is on his way for the debate on waste disposal charges, I propose that we suspend proceedings until 5.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business for today is No. 1, the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m.; and No. 2, Private Members' business, the Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4 p.m., with the time allocated for this debate not to exceed two hours.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 26 Senators who contributed to this morning’s Order of Business. Eight Senators, including Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh, Conway, Boyhan, Dolan, Landy and Norris, raised the issue of Console. I think all of us in this House will join in condemning the lack of transparency and accountability in regard to the governance and use of public moneys in a charity like Console....

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We must have probity such that the strict rules applying to the charity sector are implemented. Senator Conway referred to Part 4 of the Charities Act. It is a staffing issue. There is an obligation on the Government to work with the Charities Regulator and give him a full complement of staff to implement the Charities Act with its full rigour. We cannot condone any wrongdoing and must...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not believe so, to be fair. It is very unfair of the Senator to say that.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: With regard to Leader funding, the Minister announced 18 new projects last week. Senator Conway-Walsh raised this matter and I have invited the Minister to the House. I will follow up with her on that.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I have spoken to the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, about that, because the Senator raised it previously if memory serves. He has agreed to come to the House but timing is the problem. However, I will pursue it for the Senator.

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is with reluctance that we are not supporting the Bill. The Minister has clearly and cogently outlined the reason for that. However, Members who engage with people every week and understand their plight recognise that this is a maze and minefield that must be sorted out. Senator Ardagh referred to direct provision. I commend the former Minister of State, Senator Ó...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He also visits direct provision centres. They are soulless, heartless places. The one in Cork-----

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We will do that.

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Some of us do not just shout from the rooftop or the mountain, we actually do things. Perhaps the Senator and some of his colleagues should do the same.

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: If the Senator wants to talk new politics, he should walk the walk with us and not just go back to the old ways of the megaphone and roaring and shouting at us. Walk on a journey with us.

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not speaking about the Senator specifically but-----

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the point I am making is that all of us want to see change. Like Senator Ardagh, I want to see this whole area tidied up and resolution brought to it. Of all the people in the Department, the bona fides of the Minister of State cannot be questioned. I refer Senator Ó Clochartaigh to the Minister of State's work as Chair of the justice committee. Rather than laugh at me, the...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We speak about new politics in this House but it is a pity some of the people who want to see new politics do not accept responsibility and live up to their rancour and calling. I have a huge issue with the way in which children, in particular, are treated in the system. We talk about child protection. Reference was made to the former Supreme Court judge, Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness,...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: All of us agree that waiting times need to be addressed. To be fair to Senator Ardagh, sometimes we get a set of figures from the Department, other times they come from elsewhere, but what we need to see are changes following the McMahon report and the system modified. The Government amendment today is one which seeks to defer. It is not opposing it. I challenge those who shout from the...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Well, the Senators will get it. I agree with the Minister of State that it is important to allow time. We engage weekly on this matter. I refuse no one in my office and clinic, Senator Ó Clochartaigh. I meet everyone-----

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and I do so-----