Results 22,041-22,060 of 24,447 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

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

Jerry Buttimer: Will the Leader take cognisance of what has been said here today? We have important legislation. There have been 16 deaths from gangland crime in this country this year. We should not rush this legislation, which is important for the victims and for those who will be put behind bars. We have an obligation as citizens and parliamentarians to go through legislation line by line. Senator...

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

Jerry Buttimer: It is relevant in this context.

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

Jerry Buttimer: I am coming to the question. I appreciate that.

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

Jerry Buttimer: If one looks at the IMF report-----

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

Jerry Buttimer: The IMF report highlights the incompetence of the Taoiseach and his Minister for Finance. The Green Party is not happy with the programme for Government. When will we have a debate on the programme for Government? Are the Greens, like the summer wasps and flies, hanging on for dear life, gasping for air on the paper of Government when they are been killed off by the people and Fianna Fáil...

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

Jerry Buttimer: I referred to nobody.

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

Jerry Buttimer: I refer to the party members.

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.