Results 2,201-2,220 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: In fairness to the Minister of State, he is doing a reasonably good job in developing the organic food sector but the Minister does not have the presence of mind to come into the House to debate the real issues.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: The real issues in Irish agriculture do not include the organic industry but others which those opposite are afraid to debate. Let us get real.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: Those opposite are embarrassed and they should be.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: They should be. Their record is quite poor.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: I am doing so. I am talking about agriculture. This debate should be about agriculture linked to food. It is important we have a debate on food, enjoyment of food and where we want to go. I am a fan of Paulo Tullio who is a great person to articulate the views of ordinary people. In an article in the Irish Independent last year, he spoke about food miles. He said food transported from...
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: How will we get to 5%? The Irish organic market is worth only 0.65% of the European market. The Minister of State said the Irish organic retail market was estimated to be worth â¬104 million in 2008. That is only a fraction of the European market share which I believe is worth â¬16 billion annually. Where is the blueprint to get to that point? The Minister of State did not mention it....
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: About what else should we be concerned? It is important we look at the roles of the Ministers in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I would like to use this debate to raise the issue of men's health. I agree with the Minister of State that people are taking time to look at the quality of the food they eat, whether vegetables, fruit or meat. If, like me, one goes to one of...
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State is right that the farmer does not get that. I will come to that. We should have food festivals throughout the country to promote organic food and Irish food. During the last debate we had - Senator O'Sullivan spoke eloquently about that - I referred to the English Market in Cork and the Minister of State spoke about the growth of country and farmers' markets, which we...
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: I was heckled for five minutes.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: We need to highlight the English Market in Cork and the farmers' markets in other places. The Minister of State spoke about the importation of organic fruit and vegetables. Why is there a deficit of such food in this country? Surely, we should be able to grow and be self-sufficient in simple fruits and vegetables. The Minister of State spoke about the prices. What is happening to the Irish...
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: The Minister has done nothing to help.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: He is not.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: Some of the big chain stores are running amuck and they are being allowed to get away with it.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: It is about time we had a debate on the cuts to the farm income. Senator Carty can smile at me but we need such a debate. I refer to Richard Corrigan and Bord Bia. He was perhaps misguided in what he said about Bord Bia but we need to look at how we market and sell Irish food and restaurants. We have some of the best restaurants in the world and have great food but we have the potential to...
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should stick to the issue.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: What is he doing?
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: Is he afraid to come in to meet the Senators opposite?
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: The people will do that on 5 June.
- Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: Senator O'Sullivan is like the bridge in Listowel.
- Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)
Jerry Buttimer: It is Government policy now, is it?