Results 1,561-1,580 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

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

Jerry Buttimer: On what grounds?

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

Jerry Buttimer: On what grounds is the Leader suspending the House?

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

Jerry Buttimer: On a point of information, are we taking amendment No. 10 now?

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

Jerry Buttimer: The fundamental question is why the Government is excluding the advancement and promotion of human rights. As on Second Stage, we have not been given a clear meaningful answer. Is it the case that the Government is afraid of some of the organisations that are promoting human rights? Is the Government afraid that organisations will continue legitimately to raise concerns and advocate the...

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

Jerry Buttimer: I know that. I am not trying to rhyme. I would not have the Senator's literary genius.

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

Jerry Buttimer: I am speaking on the section and I will go back to it. The Senator is a section on his own. There is consensus on this side of the House on 85% of the Bill's provisions. What is the Government afraid of when it comes to human rights? A five-year review mechanism is built into the legislation. The Law Society of Ireland and other groups have come to us with legitimate concerns, requesting...

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

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Alex White touched on my first point that human rights are at the core of the Good Friday Agreement. Accepting the Minister of State's bona fides, why does the Minister of State have four organisations, Amnesty International, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, ICCL, Front Line and Free Legal Advice Centres, FLAC, here at the front line promoting this? Why are we all on this side...

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

Jerry Buttimer: Can the Minister of State give us a copy of the advice from the Attorney General as to the reason he is now allowing it? We have not been given a cast iron reason that this should not be included, and it is important we get that.

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

Jerry Buttimer: If the Minister of State gives us a guarantee he will come back on this matter, we will reserve our position. He has not given us a clear, cogent reason. I am not a genius, but I am baffled.

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

Jerry Buttimer: I am absolutely baffled. The fundamental question is, of what is the Minister of State afraid. From what is he running? Is it, as Senator Norris rightly deduced, that Revenue is cracking the whip? Does the Minister of State fear organisations will be too vocal? A number of bodies were abolished or amalgamated in the budget. The amendments seek the advancement and promotion of human...

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

Jerry Buttimer: Like Senator Alex White, I would be happy to let our amendment rest until Report Stage if the Minister of State would come back to Members with an explanation of the rationale for this. It is an important issue. It is not about politics; it is about the advancement and promotion of human rights. We will be happy to let it go to Report Stage if we get the rationale for and movement on it.

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

Jerry Buttimer: That is because the Minister of State has not been prepared to move.

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

Jerry Buttimer: May I reserve the right to move it again on Report Stage?

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

Jerry Buttimer: Will the Leas-Chathaoirleach clarify whether an amendment that is defeated can be resubmitted on Report Stage?

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

Jerry Buttimer: I will resubmit it on Report Stage.

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

Jerry Buttimer: I support Senator Hannigan's amendment.

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

Jerry Buttimer: I will reserve the right to move this amendment on Report Stage.

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

Jerry Buttimer: As Senators Norris and O'Toole said, there is an issue in this area. We have met with the Respond organisation. I am not sure if it is a matter of legislation or incorporation but there is a need to examine the matter. There is serious concern among people about this legislation. I am worried that there will be a reduction in the number of people opting to become directors of charitable...

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

Jerry Buttimer: There is an issue with indemnification. There is a genuine concern pertaining to this among those in the charities sector. This arises later on in the Bill and the matter raises certain fears. Rather than prolong the debate, I encourage the Minister of State to revert to the Seanad. Some people have entered into contractual service agreements where a deficit exists and where there is a...

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

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Minister of State to clarify the purpose of this section, which reads: "The Authority may take such steps as it considers appropriate to consult with persons whom it considers may be affected by the performance by it of its functions." I ask for an explanation of what is meant in terms of consultations with stakeholders. I am particularly concerned about the part which reads "may...