Results 19,001-19,020 of 24,351 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: We can never do enough. Some claim we do nothing. However, we will make €166 million available in this year’s budget to our local authorities to deliver homeless services. In the first six months of this year, 2,825 adults and their dependent children exited homelessness. In Dublin city, which has the highest numbers, 467 families exited emergency accommodation. I can give...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: There is a real need to have that debate. I am not suggesting for one second that we do not have an issue. However, we need an honest debate. We cannot say that there is nothing being done. We cannot say that the Government is not doing anything or expending money because it is.The facts are that people are exiting homelessness, more houses are being built and more people are entering...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: There are agendas and commentary is written and spoken every day but if one was to listen to some people involved, and I am not talking about Senator Kelleher, one would imagine that nothing is being done anywhere in the country. That is the point I am making.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Kelleher made a very important contribution regarding the land at Bessborough in Cork. I share her concerns around the proposed sale, particularly the suite of services that are being made available, or are coming out of Bessborough. The points made by the Senator are ones on which we should have a debate. She and I might have a conversation about that. I join with Members in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Mullen raised the issue of China. We will have that debate in due course. He also made reference to the situation in the North, which I have addressed. Senator Kieran O'Donnell raised the very important matter of the job losses at Molex. I think all of us in the House today stand in solidarity with the workers, who were given the news that the plant will close at the end of 2020...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the HSE capital plan for 2019, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to conclude at 4 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than six minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment)...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Where is Victor going?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: The old PDs.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator will be going forward for election.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 15 Members of the House who made contributions to the Order of Business. Senator Swanick and others raised the issue of air pollution and the related public health concerns. It is a huge issue with which we have to grapple, as Senator Swanick quite rightly said. Since the implementation of the smoky coal ban in Dublin and other major urban areas, lives have been saved. We must...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator O'Reilly referred to the school meals programme, which is an important initiative in our education system. All of us recognise the importance of nutrition. In the context of the development and well-being of young children in schools, it is critical that they are properly fed. Some 36 schools were part of a pilot programme run by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: That is not correct.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Ar an gcéad dul síos, ar mo shon féin agus ar son Fhine Gael, cuirim fíorfháilte roimh mhuintir Quinn, go háirithe roimh a bhean chéile, Denise. Táimid tar éis éisteacht le scéalta an-deas faoi fhear uasal macánta. In one of his last interviews he remarked that he had left the world a better place than when he came to it and had...

Seanad: HSE Capital Plan 2019: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister and commend him on his work. Senator Boyhan is right that the Minister has the most difficult job in government. I can testify to that as I chaired the Joint Committee on Health and Children for nearly five years. Something in the Department of Health always causes me to worry. To be fair to the Minister, given that the health budget stands at €17 billion,...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I commend Senator Devine on her work. Mental health is an important area. If we are to have an honest conversation, our journey over the last two decades has been monumental. That is evident in the fact that there is a debate tonight seeking further reform, progress and commitment to recognising the importance and centrality of the person as opposed to a statistic, entity or someone on a...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: When we commended Senator Bacik on the Order of Business yesterday, we should have commended Senator Freeman also. The ethos and thrust of the Bill are to improve the provision of mental health services. In the transition from the old, archaic and inhumane buildings and wards of the past, we have put in place a different structure and environment on which we can build. I am conscious of...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Notwithstanding the sentiment expressed by Deputy Cassells, only 4.6% of tenancies are held by landlords that are individual companies with more than 100 units. We should look at the response to the petitioner, which shows that less than 1% of transactions account for what the petitioner outlines. Undoubtedly, we have an issue with housing, but we must not get into fake news either.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I concur with the decision to have further consideration. The petitioner is striving to achieve what we all want, namely, a new code on labelling and packaging. I support the principle of the petition. I suggest that we consider inviting in Repak and other organisations, as the Chairman and secretariat deem appropriate. The thrust of what we want to do is to reduce packaging and have more...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (23 Oct 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I know the petition refers specifically to the Clondalkin area but if it is appropriate, we should communicate with the Department about Cork city where an issue arises and parents experience frustration with regard to post-primary places for students who require ASD classes and special classes. I note the spend by the Government and Department in this area but parents are experiencing...