Results 13,101-13,120 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I understand the importance of the issue the Senator raised and I have been endeavouring to bring the Minister in to talk to the Senator and he is willing to meet her and talk to her about the matter. Rather than bring him into the House I hope that the Senator would accept the bona fides of the Minister this afternoon. It is a very important issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator McDowell raised the issue of Seanad reform. Not being party to the correspondence he refers to I am in a vacuum. If he would be happy to share with me the piece of correspondence I would be happy to peruse it and give him a more detailed response. As far as I know the Government position on the Manning report has not changed since the Taoiseach was last here. Whatever some Members...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of media ownership. We are lucky to have very independent media. I would be happy to have a discussion in due course regarding media ownership and so on. Senator Nash raised the issue of the industrial relations strategy. While it is important to acknowledge that there is a very strong mechanism in the State to deal with industrial relations, as the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The information provided to the Dáil last week was that this was the case. I am only giving Members what I have been told. There was to be a vote in the House last week and the vote was pulled on the basis that it would not be carried. I hope that Members would reflect upon that. In respect of Senator Ardagh's amendment to the Order of Business, I do not want to divide the House....

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 3.30 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Private Members' business, Corporate Manslaughter (No. 2) Bill 2016 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4 p.m., with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 19 Senators who raised issues on the Order of Business. On the industrial relations issue raised by Senators Ardagh, Humphreys, Coffey, Craughwell and Devine, it is important that we all speak with one voice in calling on the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, the Garda Representative Association, GRA, and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI,...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that we use proper language and that we understand what is at stake here. As Senator Coffey rightly said, the economic recovery of our country is fragile and there is a duty of care on the Minister and on the Government to act responsibly. I appeal to all-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: My head is very much in the air. As a former-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Everything we do in government is about equality. I do not intend to engage in a public war of words here because as a member of the ASTI and somebody who wants to see this issue resolved, I am aware there are young people in the Public Gallery, some of whom are doing examinations, but as Senator Craughwell rightly said, there is a multiplicity of schoolteachers across the country doing a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----in the barracks in Athlone by the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe. It is important, and I have always said this in the House, that we recognise the sacrifice and the heroism of former members of our Defence Forces, who are celebrated across the world, whether it is the Congo, Lebanon or wherever. To be fair to Senator McFadden, she has been very involved in this issue also because...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I would be happy to talk about it at the group meeting at 2 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: With regard to the Confucius Institutes or Buddha - I am not sure which one the Senator wants me to address - but the-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator makes an important point about investment in education. Equally, the issue Senator Wilson raised about Taiwan is important. Those of us in this House who are part of the Taiwan friendship group recognise that we have a one-China policy but it behoves all Members of the House to promote relations-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that we work with Taiwan to forge links and develop relationships. I know from our own relationship with Taiwan and the representative here, Simon Tu, that it is very positive. It is important that we keep all options open, recognising that we do have a one-China policy. Senator Coffey raised an important issue regarding the appointment of hospital groups. I would be happy...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the North-South issue and I would be happy to bring that matter before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP. Senator Feighan raised the matter of ashes. I am not a member of the Vatican. The Leas-Chathaoirleach is probably closer to it than I am in the matter of the distribution of ashes.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Gallagher raised the matter of juvenile arthritis and the need to appoint a third consultant. I would be happy to invite the Minister for Health to the House in that regard. Senators O’Donnell, Paddy Burke and Mulherin raised the issue of transport. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, will be in the House on 16 November. Senator O’Donnell also...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State is coming to the House and will be happy to deal with that question as well.

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I was not in the House for Second Stage when the Bill came before the previous Oireachtas. I acknowledge the presence of a former Senator, Ms van Turnhout, who was a pivotal member of the Joint Committee on Health and Children that I chaired. Senator Colm Burke was a member of that committee as well. That committee undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill. I welcome the Minister of...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I acknowledge the presence of Mr. Padraic White and people from Alcohol Action, including Ms Suzanne Costello, who have been very strong on this issue. The retail sector has a duty of care and responsibility. It had a voluntary code and, to a limited degree, that worked or perhaps it did not work. I always found Mr. White accessible and amenable on any issues that I brought to his...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Oct 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will conclude now. I did not get a chance to speak on Second Stage and I chaired the committee that brought many of the recommendations to the former Minister and I want to give the Minister of State my support. The key point is that we have to take a stand and start to address how we can combat the misuse of alcohol in our society. That requires a collective response from all sides of...