Results 2,501-2,520 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator O'Toole was right to mention governance by legislation, but governance begins with leadership. Sadly, the Government is bereft of leadership because it has been in power for too long. Government Members believe that €400 for dinner is the norm, but it is not. Thousands are struggling. The role of politicians should be enhanced - many fine people are involved - but Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Ordinary people cannot pay their mortgage or meet child care costs and are sacrificing dinners, for example, to pay for medicines, uniforms or books for their childrden. That is the reality. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, is sitting on his hands while hundreds of families are distressed by the problems encountered in inter-country adoptions. The Tánaiste has not discussed in...

Seanad: Local Development (6 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady. It is ironic that the Minister of State also responded to a similar Adjournment matter I raised on 16 June last regarding the Cork docklands. Given the economic recession, it is fitting to note that Cork City Council and the Port of Cork have reached agreement regarding...

Seanad: Local Development (6 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: To us it is a major city and the only city that matters. After last weekend people in Donegal cannot really comment.

Seanad: Local Development (6 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: This is a non-reply. Once again, the Government has made pious platitudes. Will this be another missed opportunity in the regeneration and development of Cork? Will we have mere words? I do not mean to be disrespectful to the Minister of State but this is a carbon copy of the reply received in June and October 2008. This is an opportunity to create a stimulus plan for the Cork region....

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Would the Leader facilitate a debate as a matter of urgency on the Ministers and Secretaries Act in light of the revelations of ministerial expenses and the revelations regarding spending by the Ceann Comhairle? Will the Leader indicate who is responsible for signing off on the expense sheet? Will he agree with me, and if he does not will he explain the reason, that Government spending in...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We need a debate on the aviation industry as soon as possible.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I concur with much of what Senator Leyden has said and I compliment the Minister on publishing and bringing the Bill to the House. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 is not the complete document or perfect, however, and changes are required. On this side of the House we would welcome any efforts made to enhance the planning...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I know the Minister of State does not agree with me because he is embarrassed. He should be.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Communities, in our commuter belts and urban areas in particular, have been let down by Fianna Fáil-led Governments over the past 12 years, which the Minister of State knows well. We are now at the edge of the precipice, partially because of the relationship which Fianna Fáil had with developers. Not all developers are bad but if we are serious about creating sustainable communities and...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting: that the continued provision of public rural transport links is essential to the social and economic health of rural life; the withdrawal of these services will plunge homes all over Ireland into isolation, loneliness and expense; that huge fear and worry has been provoked by the threatened withdrawal of rural transport links, particularly the pilot...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (7 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The amendment should be withdrawn.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Leader for an urgently needed debate on education. There has been a revelation that the Department of Education and Science has yet to spend almost 50% of its 2009 budget, which is a national disgrace.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister for Education and Science can cut classes and services but young children, like those in the Gallery behind us, in many schools across the country are being taught in dilapidated buildings with no gyms or libraries. They are being taught in prefabs and rat-infested classrooms. Is the Government going to preside over this? I want the Minister to come before the House to account...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: They have taken a pay cut. On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader is spinning a yarn again.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: He is giving us the same line the whole time. The Government is not leading by example.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am tired of this patronisation.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am tired of it.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am tired of the Leader giving us this single transferable speech. He and the Government must lead by example.