Results 13,481-13,500 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I forgot to mention that on 9 February the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, will come to the House to discuss the action plan for rural development. Senators Murnane O'Connor, Devine, Landy, Davitt, Horkan and Boyhan spoke about councillors' pay and the decision by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, yesterday. The announcement by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, means for the first time in 15...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to recognise this. The days of the Progressive Democrats are over, Senator McDowell.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is not Harney versus McDowell with O'Malley and Cox. We will not go down that road. We could play that game too. Seriously, it is an important point. An attempt has been made by the Minister to improve the terms and conditions of our councillors.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Let me finish. We read Senator Craughwell's pronouncements over the Christmas holidays and I ask him to allow me a chance to respond.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know that.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, helped with the K class PRSI. The Minister has written to the CEO of the councils-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: These are the Members who came in here week after week stamping, shouting and roaring about councillors' pay and conditions.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Suddenly, when something starts happening,-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----we get the opposite.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I omitted to mention Senator Landy. My apologies.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Let me finish.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senators are great at playing to the gallery, but when Deputy Kelly was Minister, they did nothing.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We did not block him.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister has written to council CEOs and there will be regulation, which will come into effect from 1 July. We will have an opportunity to debate the matter again. I heard Senator Davitt's remarks on opposing the issue, so I will finish on this point. This is the first time in 15 years that anything has been done for councillors. I accept that Senators have an issue with the anomaly...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept the point, but the Minister will be before us again and we will have an opportunity to try to effect changes quietly, calmly and under the radar as opposed to by shouting, roaring and writing populist material.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We are discussing our own electorate, but I encourage people not to play politics and hype up expectations and demand. The Sinn Féin Members have changed their terms and conditions and given themselves more money, in which respect we congratulate them. Well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I have a whole way to go yet. Many points were made by Senators. Regarding the matter raised by Senators Devine, Noone and Mulherin, I congratulate Senator Devine on the awareness campaign today. I apologise for not being able to attend. As a former Chairman of the health committee, what she-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Unfortunately, I had other meetings to attend. What she has done today in the House and, I hope, beyond is to raise awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening. As Senator Noone rightly stated, it is treatable and screening can prevent deaths. I thank the Senators. I hope that the House will have a cross-party group to raise issues of health and well-being. The matter raised...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----frequency, choice of routes and investment. The Labour Court has extended an offer of talks to the unions at Bus Éireann. I hope they will engage. The acting CEO of Bus Éireann will appear before the Oireachtas committee tomorrow.As we have seen in the past, resolution can be reached through engagement, consultation and discussion such that the public will not be...