Results 2,621-2,640 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: RAPID Programme (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome his announcement that RAPID will not be eliminated and I am glad that element of the McCarthy report has been discarded. It is important to acknowledge the work being done across disadvantaged areas and I am delighted with the response.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I join Senator Ross in asking for a debate on the impending banking appointment in AIB. We seem to have learned nothing and it is symptomatic of the Government's malaise. The appointment of an insider sends a wrong signal to ordinary people that the banking system has learned nothing and that it is business as usual. If this is what the Government wants to happen, it should go ahead and...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that. At a time when the cost of fuel is increasing, we should be looking after the elderly, not penalising them further. I, therefore, want a debate on social welfare payments. Does the Leader agree with Deputy Enda Kenny who said he would not touch child benefit? Does he agree the Government should not cut it?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: My views on the Seanad are well known.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Where was he for 12 years in government?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I was, twice or three times.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader is heckling.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: After 30 years, he has learned to heckle.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: That has nothing to do with the point Senator Ross was making.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I was about to preface my remarks by complimenting previous speakers, but Senator O'Malley spoiled an excellent contribution with her last paragraph.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It was an own goal. The legacy of the Progressive Democrats is a failed ideology.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Haughey. I compliment Senators Twomey and Donohoe on their remarks. I agree with Senator O'Malley that we are obsessed with growth in property prices, including development land. It is time we moved away from this. We must inject realism back into the economy. I wonder, however, if we have moved away from that aspect at all. This debate is...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It is an alternative.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It is okay; I will not rise to the bait.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden may huff and puff, but this is a very serious issue. It is about Ireland's potential to create and retain jobs. It is about homeowners who come into offices every day and are struggling. They are afraid the bank will repossess their home. The uncertainty over the potentially enormous cost of NAMA for all of us is one of the reasons we should reject NAMA as it stands. If...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Look what happened in New York. Bernie Madoff was given a life sentence. There is accountability there.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister has said the banks are best placed to make commercial decisions to allow credit. They may very well be, but they are not allowing credit to flow and therein lies the crux of the problem. They consider that their best friends are their investors and shareholders but to hell with borrowers such as small businesses or homeowners. That is not right. I am not an economist, but I...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It has.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden is embarrassed and should go away and read about the Drumcondra Mafia to learn what has happened in the past 12 years. Today we see the political and economic legacy of his party in government. We are under the cosh-----

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not want to be critical in that Senator O'Malley and I will have a good battle but I must make the point that nowhere in the legislation is it prescribed that NAMA should get credit flowing again, thereby generating employment and confidence. The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, may nod to heaven, but I do not mind.