Results 21,561-21,580 of 24,447 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: On the new rates, I appeal to the Members on the Government side who are about to vote the Bill into law. The Minister, her Fianna Fail colleagues and particularly Green Party Members who came here with such reforming zeal two and a half years ago took office with a programme for Government that promised all things to all people.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not need lessons in etiquette from the Leader of the House.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am entitled to speak in the House and do not need lectures from the Leader.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I understand the embarrassment on the other side of the House because of what they are about to do.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I know what they are going to do.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I will, but the Leader is embarrassed. The Bill is an attack on the decent people of Ireland. Schedule 1 reduces the money going into the homes of those who have not contributed to the economic decline of the country, yet the friends of the Leader and Fianna Fáil are masquerading and have the guise of someone who is getting away with it. They have perpetrated a crime on the people and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I have a message for those opposite. The people will not forget them. They are going to wait for them and will pass judgment on a Government-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I have not invited any.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Government is reducing the rates of payment to the disabled, those who cannot see and the mothers who depend on child benefit, as well as the income of parents struggling to repay mortgages and in some cases facing repossession. Is this the legacy that the Members opposite want? If it is, they should walk through the "Tá" lobby. If not, they should have the moral courage to vote "Níl".

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Government made the wrong choice again.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Why do it so?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is the Senator happy with the changes?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator has sold his soul.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I have one question for the Minister that deserves to be answered. The Minister said yesterday and tonight that the Government, in the context of a very tough budgetary environment, has done its utmost to protect the most vulnerable people in society. Can she explain the reason we have protected the most vulnerable by imposing cuts on them?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Energy prices have increased.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Motion for Earlier Signature (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Members opposite started cheering. Senator Ellis may laugh, but he has just voted against the ordinary people of Ireland. Shame on him.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: As Senator McFadden stated, the backlog in processing asylum seekers is inhumane. I am pleased the Leader is present because last week on the Order of Business Government Senators gave us a lecture on human rights. Opposition Members were subjected to a litany of abuse from some so-called human rights experts. What does this section say about the Government's commitment and attitude to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I questioned the Minister earlier in the context of the Irish Dental Association study. She speaks about competition. My concern is that, from talking to those involved in dental practices, I am genuinely concerned that this will lead to a loss of people providing the service. I appreciate that the Minister claims it is not gone, which I understand. However, the nature of the changes in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: One third of men under the age of 25 are signing on, which is an increase of 158% in the past two years. In Cork alone, approximately 7,700 young people are signing on. Despite what the Minister said, an element of discrimination against young people is being introduced in the section. I do not agree that we have provided sufficient training and education places. The Minister referred...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: That is not the case.