Results 14,201-14,220 of 24,348 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I never said that.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not laughing at the Senator; I am laughing because she quoted me as saying "dún do bhéal".

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is about to.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 16 Members of the House who contributed to the Order of Business. I join the Cathaoirleach and all Members in welcoming Dr. Omar Shuayb, the trade and investment Minister from Somaliland, to the Chamber. I join all of my colleagues in sending congratulations to our colleague and friend, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee and her husband, John, on the birth of Edward, and wish them...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: To be fair to the Taoiseach, irrespective of whatever else he has done, he has always worn the green and red of Mayo with pride. Like his Government colleagues, he is committed to multi-campus provision in the case of all institutes of technology but particularly GMIT. As I stated before to Senators Colm Burke, Rose Conway-Walsh, John O'Mahony, Michelle Mulherin and Keith Swanick who have...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am very proud of my political party. As a member of the Fine Gael Party that stands for a just society, like all of my colleagues, I stand for the inclusion of all people in society. Our record, unlike that of the party opposite, in particular, is not about dividing society or communities but about bringing everyone together-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----in order that we can have unity and a collective that will work to ensure communities and society are better. It is about bringing all people together.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will be quite happy to do so. Regardless of who wins the Fine Gael leadership contest, whether it be Deputy Leo Varadkar or Deputy Simon Coveney, the country will be in very safe hands. There will not be a laying of hands in the party, unlike other parties; rather, there will be a democratic exercise involving all members, be they public representatives or ordinary members. There will...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ivana Bacik raised the issue of maternity services. I will be happy to arrange such a debate. On the Order of Business yesterday I replied on the issue. Senator Robbie Gallagher referred to the electronic tagging of offenders. I will have the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House to discuss the issue. Senator Victor Boyhan referred to property tax being too low....

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh will be glad to hear that I will be happy to accept his proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I fully accept that there is a need to have a discussion on the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta. I will be happy to have that debate. I commend the Senator for his initiative in arranging a briefing on the situation in Catalonia in the audiovisual room this afternoon.I hope to be there the week after next. If I am not able to go to the Senator's meeting today I will certainly pass...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will certainly endeavour to do that before the summer recess if I can.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ó Ríordáin made reference to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, in his presentation. Neither of the Fine Gael leadership candidates are spending public money on their campaigns. Senator Ó Ríordáin's remarks are mischievous, misleading and should certainly be clarified because the Minister is not expending any public moneys on any...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator went on about 40 different tangents-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and I did my best to try to follow her.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I could not get her specific request. I am pleased that Senator Murnane O'Connor is interested in the Fine Gael leadership contest. The €17 million help to buy scheme is very positive.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: What the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, said was that it would be looked at. The Senator's leader in the Seanad was critical of the scheme's lack of take up a couple of weeks ago in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There is a need to promote it more. I certainly think that we should be incentivising and helping people to get on the property ladder, in this case first-time buyers. To address Senator Mac Lochlainn's contribution, I have spoken to Senator McFadden about Jadotville and I have also met with the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, in that regard. The Senator might not think we are trying to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will endeavour to do that. To be fair, I know the Minister of State was away on Government business relating to the Defence Forces because I had asked for a meeting this week. He has just returned this morning. I met him this morning. I will endeavour to get that meeting.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will try to deliver. I am being genuine in that. Senator Mullen raised the very important issue of farm thefts and the need for vigilance and proactivity in rural Ireland. I certainly agree with him. We have seen a decline in burglary across the country. I have not got the figures to which the Senator referred, but it is worrying that we have seen an increase in theft at this time of...