Results 2,921-2,940 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I refer to this in the context of the 5% reduction on the first €30,000 of salary for public sector workers in table 3.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate the Chair's position but the section will penalise workers who earn €30,000 a year and whether the Minister likes it or not, that is not a huge salary when one considers many of them are young and paying huge mortgages and have significant negative equity. Interest rates will increase. I appreciate where the Government is coming from because this is the consequence of failed...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It is about the take-home pay of many people who I represent and I am also affected. As I stated yesterday I do not mind taking a pay cut because I can afford it. However, people working in hospitals and schools, the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána and other front-line services cannot afford to take this cut and they are at their wits end. I appeal to Senator Hanafin and his Fianna...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: One cannot abolish him without killing him. Then one would be up for murder so the Senator is talking through his hat.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: There are a few stagecoaches.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: They are alongside the Senator sometimes.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I compliment the Independent Senators on putting forward the motion. I begin by clarifying for Senator MacSharry that Deputy Kenny was not pandering to populism in his remarks. We have had eight reports on Seanad reform and the matter has been discussed ad nauseam. It is time the Minister, in the absence of consensus, moved forward and introduced...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: -----but we must look at the way in which we perform. Deputy Cassidy, as Leader of the House, must take responsibility for some of this-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: -----in the context of the way in which he takes his direction from Government, as Senator Twomey stated. He has an obligation to run this House effectively, competently and comprehensively by having meaningful debate and interchange between Ministers and Senators, and that is not happening.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I like a bit of bluster too and I am good to give it, but we need to have genuine interaction. The Minister and Senators have spoken about how we can implement reform and change. The Lisbon treaty, as we mentioned, has been passed which means European legislation and European scrutiny can come into this House. Rather than having an EU scrutiny committee, which is doing good work, it could...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: In the context of the electoral process of the Seanad, I certainly have no difficulty in holding the Seanad election on the same day or staggered from the general election, but we need to look at the context of the Seanad. Deputy Kenny's proposal to abolish the Seanad has set another debate going, but the motion is valuable. The Minister spoke about the establishment of an independent...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I will tell Deputy Mary O'Rourke that when Senator Cassidy is running with her on the next occasion.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Deputy Mary O'Rourke, when he is running with her on the next occasion.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Progressive Democrats is gone. It expired.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Cannon saw the light and was converted.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: It was not. The Senator is wrong. It was leadership.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader should not heckle.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: It will be the first time the Minister will have Fianna Fáil backing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator lost the vote.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that it is imperative for the Government to take a hands-on role in acquiring the properties in Moore Street. It would be a disgrace if we did not pay tribute on the anniversary of the 1916 Rising to the descendents and the people involved. If we allow this to pass it will be a shame on all of us. When will the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and...