Results 22,561-22,580 of 24,447 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: At a time when people are afraid of losing their jobs and not having money to pay bills, mortgages and groceries, of evaporating retirement funds and a complete lack of confidence in the key State institutions, as Senator Ross rightly said, I want to ask the Leader a series of questions. In so doing, I emphasise that the Fine Gael party will vehemently oppose any plan to rush through the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that. I want to ask the Leader a series of questions relating to the economy and governance, and I would like a response. Who is telling the truth to the people regarding the real state of the economy? Is what Senator Ross said correct? If it is, we need to hear it. We have been told lies for long enough. Is there any real accountability with regard to the regulator, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: They have done the ordinary person in this country a complete disservice and they are a disgrace to the island of Ireland. They should be held accountable along with their buddies and the Government which failed to govern for the past 12 years. I want the Leader specifically to answer those questions because the people outside, the people working in this House, ordinary people paying their...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I will conclude. Those people want answers. They do not want spin or Fianna Fáil-speak, they want cogent, clear answers and confidence to be restored.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: What about the Galway tent? It is falling down around the Senator, who is suffocating inside it.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Name them.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is dead right they are not angels.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should back track and come back out again.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: It is like the song title, "You've got to pick a pocket or two".

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should not make such general accusations. As Leader of the House the Senator should act responsibly.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should name the people.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should name the people.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: They had no choice.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Go on.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Well said.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: I am disappointed the commission did not get the job of overseeing elections. That matter should be transferred out of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government into a specific election department. I do not say that against any official. It is time that we had an independent electoral commission dealing exclusively and solely with elections. I agree with Senators...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: ——where there is an equitable distribution of votes across the board. That might lead to all sorts of mathematical permutations and it might mean the Clerk of the Seanad would go on tour throughout the country to educate all the returning officers. There are anomalies in the system. We have seen them and they are undemocratic. The other matter with which I am disappointed is one which...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: The commission should have been given the power to tell the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government get rid of the electronic voting machines and consign them to history. I do not say that as a political point. I love the cut and thrust of the count. I have been beaten and I have been director of elections on count day. I remember ringing a great friend of mine, former...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: One does.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Jerry Buttimer: Exactly. The electronic voting machine is like Murphy's law. It is like going in to Dunnes Stores and getting a receipt. It is cold, uninviting, non-participatory and, dare I say it, takes away from the cut and thrust of the old blood battle. I say that unashamedly. One cannot beat being in Neptune Stadium or City Hall on the day of a count and we are all there in all our emotions, in...