Results 13,061-13,080 of 24,347 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Boyhan raised the important issue of the judicial appointment process and the need for clarity on it. I share his view on it, as he knows, but I do not think it is fair to say that one person will block the appointment of judges at Cabinet. A new process is being established, which will take time, and there are 75 sections to the Bill. I am assured that if appointments are...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: If Senator Ó Clochartaigh had his way, Government would do nothing right-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He opposes everything. Sinn Féin had its chance but it would not go into government.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ó Clochartaigh cannot have it both ways.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Higgins raised the issue of CETA. I hope the Government will reflect on the view of some in the House. It is a view that is not shared by the majority. Fianna Fáil abstained-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: If I am allowed to finish, the vote was carried, and I have no difficulty with that, but I am saying it was not necessarily the majority view of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am sure the Minister will reflect on the views expressed in this House, as will the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Breen. Senator Bacik raised the issue of Syria and Aleppo. I worked with her over the weekend on a motion. We are happy to sign the revised motion and I appeal to all Members of the House to sign it too. With a joint motion we can stand in solidarity with the people. There...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I am sure the Senator would be critical if the Minister of State held no meetings and did nothing.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I share the Senator's concerns.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not disagree with Senator Paul Daly's comment about the importance of the issue. Where I disagree and diverge from his view is that the Minister of State has tried to do something and is doing his best. I am sure the Minister of State is putting a package together with his Minister, and the Senator will have an opportunity to discuss it with the Minister next week. Senator Ó...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Ó Donnghaile and Maria Byrne made reference to Brexit but we have already discussed the matter. Senator Murnane O'Connor mentioned the banks. I am not quite sure what is the story with sterling in banks. Some of us go into banks to get money when we travel abroad. I am sure one can get money. Perhaps this is a matter for local banks in terms of having a volume or quantity...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The sterling issue is news to me. Senator Mulherin raised the important issue of vacant units and the need for a plan. The Minister has tried to address the matter in his plan. Senator Davitt raised an issue in regard to the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor. She has outlined a policy not just in this House but through the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Seanad: Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (18 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire and gabhaim comhghairdeachas léi as ucht an post a thogáil sa Rialtas nua. It is my first opportunity as Leader to welcome the Minister and congratulate her on her appointment. Having worked with her on many different battles during the previous Dáil, she brings passion and zeal to the job and we are lucky to have her in this post. I refer to...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the Report on Programme to Review and Enhance Fire Safety in Local Authority Provided Traveller Accommodation, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed four minutes and with the Minister to be called upon...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 14 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. I completely agree with Senator Daly on the need to transform the organ donation infrastructure in our country. The committee I chaired in the last Oireachtas completed a comprehensive report on organ donation and, in particular, on the need to change the model to a soft opt-out system. That is part of the difficulty, and...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will certainly try to do that. As the Senator knows, timelines are tight, but I am happy to try to facilitate that for her. Senators Kelleher, Butler and Swanick raised the issue of Syria. As Members know, an all-party motion is being circulated, which I hope will be signed by the different groups. It is important we send a unified message. We can argue about a sentence or a word here...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: One cannot engage in megaphone diplomacy on issues of such sensitivity around An Garda Síochána, the ASTI, the GRA, AGSI, doctors or whoever.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We cannot do that on the airwaves or on television. The important point I wish to make is that I fully understand the frustration of members of An Garda Síochána. If Senators live and operate in the real world, they will see and hear their stories. It goes back decades. One can judge the morale of the gardaí from the internal working of An Garda Síochána and its...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister was here last week.