Results 22,121-22,140 of 24,340 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: That has not come across. The Minister of State's press releases in recent weeks refer to the deadline for applications for the organic farming scheme and the introduction of a new EU organic logo. Let us have a debate on where we are going in agriculture.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We need all the Ministers here. I agree with the Minister of State. The Ministers have been absent.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Those opposite are hiding behind the Minister of State who, to his credit-----

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senators opposite can huff and puff.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Carty might start to learn.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: When the ballot boxes are opened on 6 June, the Irish farming sector will give those opposite a resoundingly negative response for the way they have treated the sector over the past three and half years. They should get that fact right. We will vote for Colm Burke and Seán Kelly in Ireland South and we will win two seats. Senator O'Sullivan should not worry about that.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am trying to speak but Senators Carty and O'Sullivan are embarrassed by Fianna Fáil's record in government on agriculture.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: They should be embarrassed by it.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: They are hiding behind a Green Party Minister of State. They should be ashamed of themselves because they have let Irish farming down for the past ten years.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: There is a crisis in Irish farming caused by the Government.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: In fairness to the Minister of State, he is doing a reasonably good job in developing the organic food sector but the Minister does not have the presence of mind to come into the House to debate the real issues.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The real issues in Irish agriculture do not include the organic industry but others which those opposite are afraid to debate. Let us get real.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Those opposite are embarrassed and they should be.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: They should be. Their record is quite poor.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am doing so. I am talking about agriculture. This debate should be about agriculture linked to food. It is important we have a debate on food, enjoyment of food and where we want to go. I am a fan of Paulo Tullio who is a great person to articulate the views of ordinary people. In an article in the Irish Independent last year, he spoke about food miles. He said food transported from...

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: How will we get to 5%? The Irish organic market is worth only 0.65% of the European market. The Minister of State said the Irish organic retail market was estimated to be worth €104 million in 2008. That is only a fraction of the European market share which I believe is worth €16 billion annually. Where is the blueprint to get to that point? The Minister of State did not mention it....

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: About what else should we be concerned? It is important we look at the roles of the Ministers in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I would like to use this debate to raise the issue of men's health. I agree with the Minister of State that people are taking time to look at the quality of the food they eat, whether vegetables, fruit or meat. If, like me, one goes to one of...

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister of State is right that the farmer does not get that. I will come to that. We should have food festivals throughout the country to promote organic food and Irish food. During the last debate we had - Senator O'Sullivan spoke eloquently about that - I referred to the English Market in Cork and the Minister of State spoke about the growth of country and farmers' markets, which we...

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I was heckled for five minutes.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: We need to highlight the English Market in Cork and the farmers' markets in other places. The Minister of State spoke about the importation of organic fruit and vegetables. Why is there a deficit of such food in this country? Surely, we should be able to grow and be self-sufficient in simple fruits and vegetables. The Minister of State spoke about the prices. What is happening to the Irish...