Results 20,841-20,860 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Cathaoirleach as cead a thabhairt dom an rún seo a chur os comhair an Tí. The issue of carers and the future development and evolution of the national carers strategy is important. As the Minister knows, there was a 4.1% cut in social welfare which had a profound impact on carers. Carers suffered a cut of €8.80 per week which...

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The reconfiguration and reallocation of funding for services are causing most distress to our elders, in particular, as well as to those in receipt of home care packages. A great deal of stress is being caused by bureaucracy in the making of cuts. I welcome the Minister's remarks about the old age pension. However, it was his choice of words that caused the furore. He said he could not...

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Does the Minister believe his remarks are inflammatory and frightening people?

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Would the Minister support cuts?

Seanad: Home Help Services (25 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I understand it all right.

Seanad: Employment Action Plan (20 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Chair for allowing me raise this matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary. The matter I raise is not just about the announcement by Pfizer this week of job losses in Cork. Over a period it has let go a substantial number of employees in Cork and throughout Ireland on a phased basis. The latest announcement is a devastating blow to the Cork region, particularly...

Seanad: Employment Action Plan (20 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State ignored the high-end job losses experienced in Cork and the rate of unemployment among under 25-year-olds, which stands at over 4,000. Will he ask the Minister to make it a priority that the IDA work with the agencies in the Cork area and the south to ensure Cork is prioritised, as it is losing out?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: One year on from the publication of the Ryan report it is important that we revisit the issue and have a full debate on what we have learned since its publication, the new structures which have been put in place, where are we in the protection of children and whether they are better protected since the publication of the report. Its dreadful narrative has been publicised, but we need to move...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Norris. Senator Ross has yet again raised an important point and exposed the fault line in our democracy. CIE has deliberately frustrated the will of the members of a committee, the people who represent ordinary citizens. It is a disgrace and an abomination that CIE can tell a committee of the Houses that its...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: They cannot hold a by-election.

Seanad: Health Services (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. There is a need for a clear and precise statement on current and future rehabilitation services in Cork. The HSE has announced plans to close the orthopaedic hospital in Cork and transfer its operations elsewhere. That means there will be changes in the health care system with regard to the provision of prosthetic and orthotic services in...

Seanad: Health Services (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: I note from the Minister of State's reply that there is no timetable for or commitment to the provision of capital funding for rehabilitation services in Cork. I hope he will prioritise meeting the needs of rehabilitation services provided in Cork.

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. As somebody who worked in local radio and RTE for a number of years doing sports reporting and commentary on a part-time basis, I begin by saying the biggest mistake made was to close RTE Radio Cork.

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: RTE Radio Cork was a magnificent station. It was a significantly short-sighted move by RTE and by its former head of radio, Ms Helen Shaw, to close RTE Radio Cork. In saying that, there is awful difficulty in this country today because radio is driven by profit, and that is wrong. I appreciate one must make money to pay the bills but it has the potential to threaten local radio. The opening...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Close your eyes on a Saturday night and listen to that. It is fantastic.

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Let me finish. You come back and you listen to John Creedon, Lilian Smith and "Late Date". Go back to the days when Liam Nolan presented "Late Date" - fabulous radio. It was not going to make money. As Senator Leyden threw in Donncha Ó Dúlaing, there is "Fáilte Isteach". It is not riveting radio but it is compelling listening as well. People such as Denis O'Brien of Newstalk - if I...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: That is a different matter. The point is we must take what we have in terms of radio and television, distil it down and forget about being politically correct all the time and about being driven by money. If we are to be driven by money constantly, the public service broadcasting remit will be diluted and washed away. As a GAA man, I know the GAA will never be lost to pay per view. I...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: Compelling stuff.

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is changing tune today.

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Jerry Buttimer: It is all doom and gloom at the moment.