Results 21,721-21,740 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: RAPID Programme (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome his announcement that RAPID will not be eliminated and I am glad that element of the McCarthy report has been discarded. It is important to acknowledge the work being done across disadvantaged areas and I am delighted with the response.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: That will be a first.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: That is right.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Will the Senator use all his time?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I join Senator Coffey in asking the Leader for a debate on An Bord Pleanála. I have been involved with residents in many appeals against Cork City Council and County Council that went to An Bord Pleanála. Senator Coffey is right. We must have confidence in the planning process and when that process does not seem to be objective, seems biased or partial question marks pertain. I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I second the motion. Yesterday, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul published its pre-budget submission, aptly titled, Don't Push Them Over the Edge. Many people feel they are living on the edge. I commend Senator McFadden on her eloquent and humane presentation of the motion. People matter to us. Unfortunately, indebtedness has become a huge problem for many ordinary people who were...

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am human. The economic downturn has left an increasing number of people in financial difficulty. Self-employed friends of mine who had three, four or 12 people working for them are struggling to find sufficient work for themselves. According to the Combat Poverty Agency, the ratio of personal debt to disposable income has increased from 48% in 1995 to 170% this year. As I stated, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald and ask that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, come to the House as a matter of extreme urgency. We have seen an increase in what are called tiger kidnappings but the reality is that families are being traumatised. I compliment Larry Broderick of the IBOA who spoke on the radio this morning and was clear, cogent and made...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: ——would not follow protocols and think about the money in the bank. We would do as we were asked to do. I received phone calls this morning from friends of mine who work in banks and who are genuinely concerned about their safety and that of their families. They are ordinary people who are going from A to B every day and now suddenly have to think about their safety. The trauma of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: He would have been chewing gum rather than garlic.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It is Senator Norris.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator will not forget it again in a hurry.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We might need to be in heaven to get the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is the Leader restoring censorship?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: In light of the impending budget and Friday's national day of protest, will the Leader facilitate a debate on social partnership? Never before was social partnership more needed. I am not sure if the Members opposite understand that we are bordering on civil unrest. People are genuinely angry and frustrated at being unable to see a light at the end of the tunnel. The absence of leadership...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and I welcome the Minister of State. Drug treatment services and the national drug strategy are important, as is the allocation of grant aid to organisations and those who are serious in an attempt to help those on the road to recovery. The Minister of State is familiar with the Adjournment motion, which concerns the Fellowship...