Results 1,021-1,040 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is correct on that.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator sounds like Senator Boyle now.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Of course the Senator does.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State——

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, or perhaps I should call him the chairperson of the joint public procurement operation involving the OPW and the Department of Finance. The days of "Mac the Knife" are back and it is time the Government side woke up to the reality. Senator O'Malley in her spirited——-

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: ——defence of the Government sounded like a member of the Dibley parish council. In the past ten years we heard the slogan: "A lot done, more to do". Last year we heard: "Now, the next steps". We were then told by the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and his cronies that we could not be trusted with the economy.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Government built the boom on a false premise with no foundation and this has cost the people dearly. This debate is about the Government, its performance, its economic competence and its lack of credibility in dealing with the economy. Let us not cod ourselves, or use language that will camouflage or hide the reality. This Government is the master of overspending, overruns and lack of...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: This Government makes it up as it goes along. Senator Butler spoke about the elderly and pensions today but the Government has hurt these people. What has happened to the fair deal scheme for people in nursing homes?

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: A man rang me this morning whose father is affected by dementia. A service changing the father's nappies has reduced the changes from six to four per day. The man is in his eighties. A woman who rang me this morning told me it takes courage to grow old in this country today. That is a reality. The Minister should come out of his State car to listen to the ordinary people. The Government...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State has a driver.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: If he does not, he is on the bike. Perhaps the Minister of State is the first to feel the pay freeze, which I welcome. Never before has a Government drunk champagne and spilled it. The ordinary people, our neighbours, are suffering. The Minister of State may think I am being dramatic and throw his eyes to heaven but the reality is the Government and its cuts are affecting people. I hope...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Leader is going to bring out a CD.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator means cutbacks.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: What about Roscommon County Hospital?

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: It is amazing how the Members opposite come in here and talk, despite how bad everything is in reality. We in the House have been misled by the Government. I request that the Leader arrange a debate on this issue today. The debate we have had thus far on the economy has been based on false premises. Yesterday it emerged that the Minister for Health and Children will claw back vast sums of...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I am coming to it.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Last year, before the Deputy Leader's party went into Government, its members lectured everybody about the economy. Now, all Senator Boyle can do is to say he welcomes decentralisation. I ask the Leader to raise with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the decentralisation programme and the matter of the e-voting machines which are now costing...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: We did not make false promises.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Leyden is being decentralised already. I join with Senator Norris in stating that what has been happening in Dublin Airport today and yesterday is atrocious. It is incredible that we have no backup radar system. Furthermore, the lack of assistance to the travelling public by the airlines is not good enough. They have a responsibility to the travelling public.