Results 13,361-13,380 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: There might be a fatal time.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 21 Members who made contributions on the Order of Business this afternoon. Senator Ardagh referred to the movement towards staffless public libraries. As someone who served as chairperson of Cork City Council's library subcommittee when I was a member of the local authority, I am aware that it is a matter for local authorities to fund their own services. The staff of libraries...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to put on record that the Minister has asked the HSE to address the immediate issues as a priority and to ensure the hospital is appropriately supported. No one wants to see anyone being treated badly or dying in our hospitals. It is important to put on record our thanks to the women and families who have come forward and to acknowledge their bravery. However, we must also...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He was referring to the boundary of the constituency.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: That might be their aspiration.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Athlone boundary review-----

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I need not add any more than that. I will go back to the Senator's point. It is an important point in terms of any boundary review and I take the Senator's point. In my city of Cork, a boundary review committee is examining the matter and it is an anxious time. It is fair to say that the review is one that may not receive universal approval, no matter where it comes from or what...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The recommendations of the report included a call for a unified vision for Athlone and a joint local area plan along with a retail strategy. I imagine we would all agree that is needed. Monksland is part of the retail strategy.Both counties have six months to reply and present a view for a joint implementation plan. It is important to hear both sides of the debate. I am not familiar with...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I do my best. There are very good Fine Gael and Independent councillors in Roscommon that we will work with.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I commend Senator Dolan's work. Last Saturday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy McGrath, will issue a statement later today about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I understand from the Senator's remarks and the Minister of State's remarks that it will not be ratified...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that when the scheme is in profit there is a need to protect the workers. I would be happy to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the matter. It is one that needs to be exercised. We can debate it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is a much wider debate than just giving a reply to the Order of Business and I would be happy to have that debate in the new year. Senator Norris also raised the matter of Dublin transport. I would be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, come to the House. It is important that we promote an alternative to the car within cities, whether bicycles...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree that sometimes some of those who cycle on the streets of Dublin should do so with more care for pedestrians.I know that motorists are often paralysed by fear of going left or right, or even driving straight. One is nearly afraid to move because one could get taken out by a bike or is afraid of the look one might get. I am sure Senator Norris is brave enough for the cyclists anyway.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I would not advise that. Senator Gallagher raised the matter of the Defence Forces receiving the medal of honour in recognition of their role in 2016. I had the pleasure and privilege of attending the flag-raising ceremony yesterday in City Hall in Cork, in which the flag was flown to end the year of commemorative activity. I thank the men and women of our Defence Forces who brought great...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I commend the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on her role and how she played her part in the ceremonies. Senator Rose Conway-Walsh raised the matter of the debate last week. There is a viewpoint being expressed by members of Sinn Féin on the right to vote in elections. They do not have all the answers. It is not as black and white as the Senator said it was. She has to reflect. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----he is a man of honour and integrity whom I have known for a long time.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Will Senator Devine just listen for second? She does not know everything.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: She comes in here every day opposing everything and fighting against everything. I want her to listen now.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Let us just be clear. I served on the Constitutional Convention. I did not miss a weekend of it. I was one of the few Oireachtas Members at all of it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Government's job was not necessarily to agree with everything the convention said, but to report back. I accept that, in some cases, the reporting back was tardy from the Government. Perhaps the Sinn Féin Members should go back and listen to the remarks of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, last week and reflect themselves on how we can end up with the result we all want, which is to...