Results 1,521-1,540 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Government gives local authorities the funding to do so.

Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Councils are given money by central government.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Bring on the by-election, he said.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: He has not granted it yet.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: How do I follow that? Ar an gcéad dul síos, iarraim arís ar an gCeannaire díospóireacht a eagrú mar gheall ar deontas na gcoláistí samhraidh, atá á tharraingt siar ag an Rialtas. For the benefit of those Members who misunderstood the points made by Senator O'Toole and me yesterday, I call for a debate on the Irish language, with particular reference to the removal by the...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Is there a copy of the Minister's speech available?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: It is a little like the Government in general at present.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I indicated earlier that I wished to respond to the Minister's opening remarks. I welcome the Minister of State and assure him that Fine Gael will not be opposing the Bill in principle. Indeed, my party has worked with the Minister of State on this legislation. I pay tribute to the officials in the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for their courtesy and briefing. In...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I would prefer not to divide the House on the substantive issue of human rights and sport, upon which there does not seem to be a consensus. This is a good Bill and Members on this side of the House recognise its importance and the need for regulation in this area. However, it would be wrong to divide the House on the absence of human rights in the Bill, which I still cannot comprehend.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that but I am pre-empting a division that will occur later on the fundamental principles of the advancement of sport and of human rights. It would be wrong to divide the House on such matters.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I move amendment No. 6: In page 9, to delete lines 38 and 39. Amendment No. 6 proposes to delete "(c) an approved body of persons within the meaning of section 235 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997,". This section of the Taxes Consolidation Act refers to bodies established for and existing for the sole purpose of promoting athletic or amateur games or sports and therefore prevents them...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: We are embarking on a legislative process so the consultative process is not binding on anyone. It would be unfair to cast the aspersion that some of the sporting organisations came to this legislation late. Given that there is a mandatory review in five years, what is wrong with inserting the amendments concerning the advancement of sport on the basis that we are broadening the definition...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Lest Senator Ó Murchú get it wrong about this side of the House, we are fundamentally in favour of the principle of the Bill. Sport plays a key role in the community but, under this legislation, we are precluding sport and sporting organisations from seeking charitable status. I have a question for the Minister of State, the answer to which I half know. I refer to the status of Special...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Revenue practices exclude sport but common and statutory law does not. We do not want to divide the House on this. If we could get a guarantee, we would be happy not to press the amendment. I cannot comprehend the reticence and reluctance regarding sport. It is a fundamental flaw in the Bill. We are penalising sporting organisations. That is the fundamental point.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: This is our third interruption. Senator Norris will speak on this Bill. This started the last day and I do not know who is responsible.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: In fairness to the Members of this House and to the Minister of State, this is important legislation and should not be interrupted for a vote in the other House.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of order, this was the third suspension of the debate on this Bill, which is important legislation.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Has the Minister of State requested a pair?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not want to divide the House on this amendment but the issue is the benefit that would accrue to sporting organisations. By including them in the legislation, it will enable them to attract money from whatever source, some of which will be given to other charitable organisations. Such funding attracts tax relief for the charitable organisations I mentioned. There will be no loss to...