Results 11,721-11,740 of 24,571 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

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.

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

Jerry Buttimer: That is unfair.

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

Jerry Buttimer: That is unfair by Senator Mullen.

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

Jerry Buttimer: Were there enough people of Senator Mullen's own persuasion there?

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

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator had enough people of a similar mindset to his there as well.

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

Jerry Buttimer: How were they afterwards?

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the sitting of the House for Friday 15 and Tuesday 19 July 2016, to be taken without debate on conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, statements on the summer economic statement to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 3 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank all 18 Members who raised issues on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh raised the CSO figures. I think we addressed this topic yesterday but it is important to understand that concern has been expressed regarding the CSO figures on growth and how they have been compiled. The CSO has accepted that there might be a need to look at how it measures and presents them. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: That is for another debate. Senator Craughwell raised a case, which I will not go into. On foot of the Senator raising the case, my office contacted the Department of Defence. There has been a Commencement Matter debate on the matter. To be fair, the issue is important to the Senator. I think he would agree with me that the Taoiseach or the Minister for Defence does not have control over...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator O'Mahony raised the important issue of water safety and the role of Irish Water Safety. It is important that we send out a message to the effect that it is important that people take care in harbours and on piers during the summer and that those who use our waters do so carefully and are sensible when using equipment. They should not contemplate consuming alcohol and then going on...