Results 21,741-21,760 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, it is a disappointing reply as it does not address the fundamental issue at hand, which is that we have a waiting list for entry into Fellowship House. I know the national drugs strategy does not fall under the remit of the Minister of State's Department but his reply makes a mockery of the press statement issued by the Minister for...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Will the Minister of State ask the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who will take responsibility if a recovering addict relapses? That question was not answered this evening. It is a fundamental question on the drugs strategy. I am very passionate about this. The buck must stop somewhere.

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The fundamental question still pertains. If we are serious about drug rehabilitation and intervention in the national drugs strategy, then responsibility lies somewhere. I appreciate it is not the Minister of State's specific area of responsibility but he is here as the representative of the Minister and the Government. The Government has a role to play in this. I will not be fobbed off...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that but the buck must stop somewhere. The HSE, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, have issued press releases on the great work being done in capital spending by the Government. However, the Minister of State and the Department have told us we have no money. Where does the buck stop? Who takes responsibility?

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that but-----

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the fundamental point is that the buck does not stop anywhere with the Government. The buck stops nowhere.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: In light of the impending appointment of a new European Commissioner, what steps is the Government taking to ensure that we will get the right person? May we have a debate in this House on that appointment? I ask the acting leader to endorse the candidacy of John Bruton for the position of President of the European Council. What steps is he taking to ensure that the Government will support...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: He should get the job.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: With your permission, a Chathaoirligh, I wish Senator Boyle every success if he gets the appointment in Brussels as a member of the European Court of Auditors. I would wholeheartedly support him and wish him bon voyage.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I listened with amusement to Senators Leyden and Butler regarding social partnership. As I said yesterday the fragmentation between public and private workers has partly been caused by the media, but has been further accentuated by the Government in the last two budgets, and by the bad economic policies pursued by Fianna Fáil, primarily, over the past decade.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I will conclude on this remark. I was interrupted five times.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: My last sentence is that in the context of social partnership, worthwhile suggestions have been made this morning to the effect that we should invite IBEC and the ICTU to this Chamber, where we can have a meaningful discussion on it, rather than a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: However, the Deputy Leader does.

Seanad: Denominational Schools (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I would like to share time with Senator Ross.

Seanad: Denominational Schools (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue, which was brought to my attention by parents and teachers and which has been commented on publicly by both Church of Ireland and Catholic clergy. The many fine Protestant schools in Cork, including Ashton School, St. Luke's national school, St. Michael's national school in Blackrock, St. Fin Barre's national school and St. Mary's...

Seanad: Denominational Schools (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for his remarks. I made no reference to his faith, as he knows. His reply is wholly unsatisfactory given that the block grant is not the issue. An ancillary grant is being paid. Why is the advice of the Attorney General suddenly being sought on it? I hope we can have this clarified. As the Minister of State said in his reply, there are many schools providing...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Through the Cathaoirleach, I clarify for Senator Walsh that John A. Costello was never leader of Fine Gael, but he was an excellent Taoiseach. I clarify for Senator Doherty that the Fine Gael Party has always been pro-public servant and, in that regard, I ask for a debate on this matter. Unlike Senator Doherty's party, Sinn Féin, we do not claim both salaries.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I have not provoked any comment here this afternoon.