Results 20,301-20,320 of 24,376 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: How do we compare to international norms in regard to processing times? I know it is not the Secretary General's Department, but out of interest, does he have any figure on that?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: It is fair to say we all share the view that it is not satisfactory and it needs to be addressed. The White Paper commits us to phasing out the use of congregated settings by December 2024. Is the Secretary General confident we will meet that deadline?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not mean this to be a discordant note, but I am not sure that we will meet the 2024 deadline given the issues we have with congregation settings in disability, in direct provision and the need for a ramping up of the construction sector in terms of the building. In terms of the €28.1 million allocated to the Department for 2022, which is €12.5 million in capital...

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: My final question is on the transition to the new model. As the Secretary General said, it is ambitious. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, has appointed a three-person external advisory group. Has the Department met with it? I understand the group has independent oversight, but does it engage with the Department, talk to it or assist it in any way?

Committee on Public Petitions: Direct Provision Policy and Related Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Secretary General. We all share the common goal of ending direct provision and recognise that people who are in direct provision are human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They have come from difficult situations, are in trauma, and have stress in their lives. I thank the Secretary General and his staff for their work and for the courtesy they have...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I support Senator Ardagh’s call, on World Prematurity Day, for us to commend all who work in our hospitals and to support the parents – the women and their partners – who require considerable support. There is an urgent need for us to have an updated premature baby strategy. As Senator Ardagh said, medical science has evolved and babies as light as 500 g are now...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (17 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister to the House for the sixth time in his tenure as Minister. This is an important issue. There are two points on which I want to begin. As a Government and collectively, we are trying to create a model of housing that is sustainable, affordable and available to everybody. Senator Warfield, whom I admire and respect, says the Government does not get it, but we do...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach (18 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome my constituency colleague, the Taoiseach, to the House. I am certainly glad he is here. I will not give a list of different things. When I heard Senator Keogan's contribution, I said, “Mother of God, where am I going next?” The Senator should note the job of the Government is to lead. The Taoiseach has been very clear. I reiterate here today that vaccinations...

Seanad: Air Accident Investigation Unit Final Report into R116 Air Accident: Statements (18 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Air Accident Investigation Unit Final Report into R116 Air Accident: Statements (18 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of Paul, Mark, Dara and Ciarán. They were brave citizens of our country who lost their lives in our service. They protected and saved lives. What a noble calling. Today at our committee, we heard that in this year alone, 121 lives have been saved by the Irish Coast Guard....

Seanad: Air Accident Investigation Unit Final Report into R116 Air Accident: Statements (18 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Next Tuesday, 23 November 2021, at 12 noon.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I echo the accolades expressed to our colleague and friend, Christy Kelly, who is retiring after 40 years' service. He is a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. I thank him most sincerely for his tenure in the Houses of the Oireachtas. I support Senator McGreehan and commend the Leader and Senator Gallagher on the horticultural Bill. It is farcical that we are importing peat. I rise...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for picking this very important topic. I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for being here and also wish him well. I commend his work on his brief so far. He has been very proactive and I commend him on the work he has done in terms of sexual health and sexual well-being. The sexual health strategy is so important. Next Wednesday, 1 December, is World...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Fast-Track Cities initiative, which he mentioned, is an important part of what we are trying to achieve in our fight against HIV and AIDS. The interesting thing is that the funding has been approved, notwithstanding the remarks of the Minister of State. The key point I want to make is there is a need to have a resolution to the post being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I support Senator Seery Kearney in her demand for the issue to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. I have repeatedly asked about this matter and I am tempted to table an amendment to the Order of Business that we would have a debate in this House on Covid. It is of such importance that we cannot just have commentary by media and sound bites. As Members of the Upper House, we need a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I join with colleagues in support of the need for secretarial assistants to have their pay rate increased. Senator Gavan spoke about the meeting. Maybe the Cathaoirleach, as a member of the commission, might explain to the House why the commission has not supported or made a recommendation that secretarial assistants of the Seanad would be promoted to the position of parliamentary...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: We were told repeatedly by a multitude of people, from the Taoiseach, to the Tánaiste, to NPHET members. Does he think we live in comical Ali world, or what? That is part of our problem. The messaging is confusing people. I would appeal to the members of NPHET and members of Government to use their language carefully to bring people with them.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on our foreign affairs policy as a matter of urgency. In particular, I want a debate about the foreign affairs policy of the European Union regarding the secret prisons in Libya that are keeping migrants out of the European Union. A number of interesting articles have been published by journalists with the Outlaw Ocean Project at The New Yorkerand on...

Seanad: Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: That is correct.

Seanad: Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of clarification, is the Minister of State the last speaker?