Results 13,301-13,320 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that. To be fair to the group leaders, we work well together every week. We arrive at decisions on which we always try to seek common ground. The Minister is willing to come to the House.

Seanad: Establishment of Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Motion (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders— (a) a Special Committee (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’) is hereby appointed, to be joined with a Special Committee to be appointed by Dáil Éireann, to form the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. The Joint Committee shall consider the report of the Expert Commission on...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We have gone over time and the Minister of State has another engagement but I want to be fair to all Members. May we reduce the speaking time for spokespersons from eight minutes to five minutes? I want to include every group.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I apologise for the shortening of the debate, which is a result of us taking a vote.

Seanad: Mental Health Services Funding: Statements (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Given that we went over time on the vote, I propose that we extend our time by five minutes to allow Senator Maura Hopkins to speak.

Seanad: Mental Health Services Funding: Statements (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I want to raise the issue of suicide in Cork which in the past couple of weeks has gripped the city and county. A total of 16 people from a wide variety of backgrounds are suspected to have died by suicide, and I welcome the fact that the Minister is coming to Cork on Friday. It is heartbreaking for communities to lose people aged 18 years, 15, 17, 20 and 44, and I commend the Lord Mayor,...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Lá stairiúil ba ea an lá inniu. Lá iontach é atá lán d'ionadh. Ar mo shon féin agus ar son gach duine atá bailithe le chéile anseo i Seanad Éireann, gabhaim mo bhuíochas le Céad-Aire na hAlban as ucht an turas a dhéanamh go dtí an Seanad agus go mórmhór as ucht a hóráide cumhachtaí agus...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Social Welfare Bill 2016 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude no later than 6.15 p.m. with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 18 Senators who raised matters on the Order of Business. I also thank the groups and Members for their co-operation this morning during the visit of the Scottish First Minister, Ms Sturgeon. As everyone will agree, it was an extraordinary event, one of which we should be proud. I thank the secretariat and staff of the Seanad Office - Mr. Martin Groves and the team - for their...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----affordability and risk-sharing in relation to the cost of the drug. The Minister for Health is engaging on this very sensitive matter. The cost of high-tech drugs is an issue about which we need to have a conversation but it is not one on which we should be pitting people against each other. I am happy to engage further with Senator Ardagh on the issue. Professor Michael Barry of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and puts forward a proposal on the cost and pricing of this drug that represents value for money for the health service, patients and the taxpayer. As I said, the Minister for Health is currently engaged on this issue. I hope that a resolution can be reached soon.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Victor Boyhan called for a debate on the refugee crisis. I am happy to ask the relevant Minister to come to the House. The Senator is correct that it is an important matter in respect of which we should not seek to obfuscate or dilute our responsibility. To be fair to the Minister, she has never flinched from that responsibility, nor has the State. This is about ensuring that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Long before I conclude here there will be further commentary elsewhere. I do not intend to fall into the trap of condemning the President or commenting on what he said. The President is a long time supporter of Cuba and Fidel Castro, as is his entitlement. I have no issue with that. Senators Kelleher and Colm Burke raised the issue of gynaecological and maternity services at Cork...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to recognise that passport offices should be brought to the people. I do not see why we could not do so in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Craughwell, Conway-Walsh and Colm Burke raised the issue of the HPV vaccine. I have no issue with arranging a debate on the matter as former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that carried out a substantial piece of work. I do not wish to denigrate or take lightly the concerns and views that were expressed this afternoon in the House by the Senators,...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: A huge amount of empirical evidence was given to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that I chaired.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: A lot of evidence has been given to the committee since I left the position of Chair. Let us consider the whole issue. As many as 250 million vaccines have been administered worldwide, 660,000 of which have been administered in Ireland. In Australia there has been a 70% reduction in the level of cervical cancer for females who availed of the vaccine. I understood and have heard the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Feighan raised the issue of air ambulances. It is important to recognise that air ambulances have saved lives, which is welcome. I neglected to mention Senator Norris when I mentioned Fidel Castro. In terms of pensions, I am happy to invite the Minister for Social Protection to discuss the matter. I suggest the Senator raise the matter with him when we discuss the Social Welfare...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Horkan mentioned the ongoing negotiations between the Government and the ASTI. The talks lasted into the night and continued early into the morning. All of us would welcome a conclusion of talks, including the students seated in the Visitors Gallery. I apologise to Senator Warfield, as I missed his remarks last week in my reply to the appointments to the board of IMMA. Knowing the...