Results 21,941-21,960 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I respect the Chair, but where are the Greens? They have a policy of abstentionism.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I will rephrase the question. I wish I were a senior counsel. Could the Leader confirm to the House whether the members of the other Government parties opposite adopted an abstentionist policy from this House?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Why can the Leader not say that? Of what is he afraid? Is it back to the old days of "uno duce una voce"?

Seanad: Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am disappointed that Senator Boyle is leaving.

Seanad: Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I was taken by his remarks and I agree with what he said. He spoke of reservations, ethics, morals and responsibility. Let him accept the amendments from this side of the House. As Senators Alex White and Regan said, let us not have a rushed day here. His speech is nothing but an apology for the Government. He does not stand up for what he believes in and he should vote with this side of...

Seanad: Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Listening to the Minister's reply and his earlier speech, we have not gone any way towards remedying the Laffoy judgment, as Senator Regan said. Senator Regan quoted from the judgment, which is cogent and makes clear that there is a flaw in this Bill. I am not a law person but I would not be surprised if we were back here when it is found that the Bill is unconstitutional. FLAC said the...

Seanad: Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that and I am not trying to bait the Chairman. The amendment would take cognisance of the earnings a person may receive. There is an obligation on the debtor to sign up to and participate in the repayment. In Senator Regan's amendment on the statement of earnings, there is a timeline, there are specified particulars on earnings and projected earnings regarding his or her...

Seanad: Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is that what we want to do? I believe in a just and fair society. I want to see a society that respects all its people, and this Bill does not do that because it still provides for the use of imprisonment as a remedy for securing payment. I am not necessarily sure that the Bill will do that. I believe it is a missed opportunity.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Is the Senator leaving politics?

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Bill and thank the Minister for bringing it to the House. It is probably the most botched legislation the Government has ever brought in to deal with our role as public representatives. Senator Boyle was right to ask what a public representative should be paid. This is a PR exercise on the part of Government to save face by using politicians as guinea pigs, or as camels to...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not agree with the Minister on many issues but at least he is one of those who listens and perhaps he should be elevated. The aspect of this which upsets me most is the increment. I have been a school teacher for over 20 years. Every few years I receive an increment and I am entitled to it based on the service I have given to the school. I will not get votes from this and the media...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We are not saying that but politics will be the preserve of the rich if it continues as it is.

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me raise this matter and thank the Minister of State for being here. I thank the staff for being here at this hour and for their courtesy, and we will not keep them long. May I share time with Senator Ross?

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: This matter is of critical importance to thousands of people, be they pensioners, people who are sick or patients young and old, so that they have access to their medication and there is an equitable restructuring of the pharmacy issue. We all support the important concept and the need to achieve value for money, but I call on the Minister to be equitable in what she does in this regard and...

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We can give the Minister pills for that too.

Seanad: Pharmacy Regulations (7 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept it is late, but the Minister of State was doing well until he went off the script. Pharmacists have indicated they are willing to accept a cut in their fees. I appreciate that the Minister of State is not attached to the Department of Health and Children but I ask him to bring to the Minister's attention that talks and negotiations must be held. There is no contingency plan if the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should not be cheeky to the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: What debate is the Senator calling for?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: What is Senator Leyden asking the Leader?