Results 3,901-3,920 of 24,308 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I was not saying that.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (14 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the important matter of the HSE advanced paramedic motorbike unit in Cork. There are two such motorbikes operational in Cork. The key words are "operational" and "Cork". They have been in use for only two of the last 52 weeks. Why have they been unused and lying idle? I am asking the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service (14 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for her response. I also want to thank the members of the NAS in Cork for their work and commitment. The response is positive in so far as it contains a commitment to resume the service. While this is not the Minister of State’s area of responsibility, I ask her to ensure that we receive a resumption date. A definite date is required because, as we all...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the new road safety strategy 2021-2030, which the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton is bringing to Cabinet today, in the new year. This is an important strategy with an overarching aim to reduce road deaths, which we will all support. It is worth noting for the information of Senators and road users that since the first road safety...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I begin today by congratulating and thanking Cáit Hayes, who is retiring from the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Cáit has spent 35 years working here, with distinction, in many different roles. Those of us who have got to know her over the years recognise the value and interest she had in the Parliament that is the Oireachtas, in representing us abroad and at home. I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Government's decision and announcement earlier to extend the EWSS and to make changes to the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS. It is very important that we continue to support our hospitality sector. I echo the call by Senator Black and others that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Martin, be asked to come to the House for a...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Does the Senator really believe that? Incredible.

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The Minister is very welcome to the House. I begin by referencing an article by Ms Caitlín Griffin that was published in theIrish Examineron 12 September: "1,346 cases of Covid confirmed as expert says mask-wearing is needed in primary schools". The one thing we have learned is that this pandemic or virus has a trajectory all of its own, as the Minister has said. I like Senator Keogan...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister back to the House. I think we have all missed a trick in this debate and we should all be stepping back. We should actually have proposed collectively that there should be pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. That is what we should have done if we are to be honest about it. The debate so far is like the debate we had in this House a couple of years ago when we...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I join colleagues in commending our front-line workers who worked so tirelessly yesterday to keep us all safe. I say "míle buíochas" to them. I agree with Senator Lombard that there is a need for the Office of Public Works, OPW, to expedite flood defence schemes across Cork as a matter of urgency. I exhort the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, to get on with the...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Bring it on.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister to the House. This is an important Bill, but it is also a missed opportunity. We should not have taken this week and next week to do it, which are the last weeks in which it can be done. We should have done this in a rolling way. As I said on the Order of Business two weeks ago, our role as parliamentarians and the role of our staff have changed considerably over...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I made the point in the Chamber two weeks ago that our staff are parliamentary assistants, researchers, psychotherapists, sociologists and mental health experts. They are now social media gurus, journalists writing press releases and speeches, and deal with members of the public at their most vulnerable. Nobody is taking cognisance of that in officialdom. The role has changed, as has our...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: There are not too many who are trying to ride both horses in being a Deputy and a Seanadóir. As Members of the Upper House, the research we have to do in the scrutiny of legislation means that we deserve to have parliamentary assistants and not just one member of staff. I thank the Acting Chairperson for his indulgence.

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I will take two minutes and leave the rest to Senator Cummins. I welcome the Minister to this important debate. I wish we had more time. Our horse and greyhound industry is very important to our country, economically and internationally. Ireland is known for how we treat our animals. It is a bit disingenuous of some to come in here and criticise the industry unfairly when they do not...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator will be going out in the general election, telling people one thing and then doing another thing.

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I have a lot more experience in the greyhound industry than the Senator.