Results 20,121-20,140 of 24,376 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second and Subsequent Stages (16 Jul 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to do that. This Bill is very important. I understand there are genuine views but the language we use matters and people look to the Houses of the Oireachtas for leadership not for populism.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome Ms Mannion and Mr. Hodnett to the meeting and thank them for being here. Senator Horkan has covered many of my questions in the context of where we are at today. I believe the merchant service providers are being disingenuous and unfair to the travel agents. Clarity is needed around this scheme and I hope we can get clarity around the packages mentioned. The merchant service...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Given the legislation and the robust bonding we have in place, the merchant service providers are being unreasonable. Does Ms Mannion agree with that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: It is not within the scope of work of the commission. What is the risk to the merchant service providers? On a scale of one to ten, with ten being high-risk and one being low-risk, where would the commissioner put the risk? Will Ms Mannion answer that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Where should the committee take this matter next? No matter who we are, for a merchant service provider to decide that 30% or another percentage of the total value of future bookings is the risk is not in line with CAR bonding levels relative to turnover. That level has broadly worked out for the past 30 years, with a couple of exceptions. Let us take the 30% figure or the €1.5...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The statutory instruments have moved to 120 days. Again, this gives the merchant service providers further security in the context of our debate today. Let us consider the behaviour of the merchant service providers. On 4 May, the Department of Transport wrote to AIB Merchant Services. The Department said the Minister had received representations from licensed travel industry operators...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Given the number of supports that the Government has given and put in, surely there is another route the committee can take in respect of merchant service providers. Deputy O'Rourke made reference to a proposal. I would put an amendment to it to invite in the merchant service providers. It is important that we give support to the travel industry. It is important that we support the travel...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Our legislation is clear that all merchant service providers refer all chargeback claims to CAR in the event of financial collapse. Is that not correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Is it not correct that the merchant service providers are better protected by the regulator and consumer legislation in Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: My thanks to the commissioners for being here this morning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I was going to redouble on the request to bring in the merchant providers. As a committee, we should look at the potential in the Air Navigation and Transport Bill, when it comes to the Seanad, to try to address that lacuna. I thank Ms Mannion and Mr. Hodnett. It is important that we do not let this matter rest today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: My question relates to electric scooters. Will the Minister outline the steps the Department intends to take to ensure there is regulation of these vehicles in a way that makes their use safe and on a moderate scale, and that the large rental contracts are not awarded without first conducting viability pilots?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: In the context of efforts to replace the car, we are doing a very good job in terms of encouraging bicycle use and increasing public transport provision. A study in Paris showed that just 4% of motorists replaced their car with an e-scooter. The danger level associated with these vehicles is something I hope we can address in this Bill. I have a huge concern about the danger level of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister for his engagement with the committee and his availability. It is welcome that a Minister would come in and discuss matters. I support the Minister about the master licence record as mentioned in his opening remarks about the Bill. I have a question about the certificate for medical fitness to drive. I know the Minister cannot make a decision today. Will Government...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: On the matter of people with autism or other disabilities who cannot wear a face covering on public transport, there seems to be a discrepancy. I ask the Minister to intervene with Irish Rail and bus providers to ensure people who have disabilities who cannot wear face coverings are not precluded or victimised when travelling. I have met with people who cannot use face coverings because of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Merchant Service Providers in the Travel Trade in Ireland: Discussion (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I apologise to Senator Dooley, but there is also a message appearing on the screen that there is someone waiting in the lobby, just so you know that, Chairman. I do not know what that is about.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I will not use the four minutes. I thank our two witnesses for attending. I concur with the sentiments expressed by many members on the need to enhance regional connectivity. Not surprisingly, coming from County Cork, I have a particular Cork angle. I do not make any apology for that. I thank the witnesses for the presentation. If NPHET recommends to Government that we do not proceed...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues facing the Aviation Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I concur with Ms Fitzgerald Kane. I will finish on this. The issues around the tourism marketing funding, industry activation fund and route incentivisation schemes are initiatives that we as a committee should support at all levels and actively pursue. That is critical. I thank Ms Fitzgerald Kane for her presentation.

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (8 Jul 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I will allow Deputy Griffin to go first.