Results 4,761-4,780 of 24,308 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: It is typical of Senator Leyden that he fails to recognise, as is normal, that €2.4 billion - the highest ever amount in the history of the Government of this country - is being spent on housing and homelessness.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator's party leader is not in favour of the national broadband strategy.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: That again shows the hypocrisy of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Some €2.4 billion is being spent on housing and homelessness.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Before Rebuilding Ireland, child homelessness was increasing at a rate of 5%. It is now at 1%. Some 15,000 first-time buyers are out of the rental trap through the help-to-buy scheme. Senator Leyden did not refer to that, nor did he comment on the fact that supply is up 25% and that 64,000 new social houses are being built. He did not refer to Rebuilding Ireland. An additional 30,000...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator forgot to tell the people that the Government he voted for regularly decimated the building sector, changed the provision of social housing and destroyed our construction sector. That would never interest him in giving his-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: At total of 12,000 people exited homelessness last year. We accept that there is a challenge ahead. That is why we are working on this matter. It is a priority for the Government. I will make the point one more time for Senator Leyden. Some €2.4 billion, the highest amount ever in the history of the State, will be spent on housing and homelessness. I welcome a former Ceann...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Craughwell-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Craughwell, Bacik, Richmond, Marshall, Feighan, Conway-Walsh, Mullen and Paddy Burke made reference to the issue of the documentary "Lost Lives" and the elections today in the UK and the North. I commend Senator Marshall on his proactivity last night. Senator Marshall and Senator Conway-Walsh made their points in the context of the futility of what happened and the human tragedy...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: As Leader, I will not indicate a preference in terms of who will or will not win but it is important that we work with whoever emerges victorious, be at Stormont or Westminster.I really hope that the outcome today will be decisive either way and that there is not a hung parliament. In response to Senator Craughwell, I am not sure whether the Leas-Chathaoirleach was here last week for a very...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: We stand united, irrespective of our denomination or hue, on the importance of the role of the councillor in local government. That is why the Minister of State with responsibility for local government, Deputy Phelan, has commissioned the Moorhead report and I am sure there will be a recommendation attached to it. It is important that we pay local government representatives properly and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I think we know very well what the Senator was trying to do.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: He also raised climate action, as did Senator Bacik. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, will be here on 21 January for statements on transition. In the following weeks six Ministers will speak on the matter.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: I am unsure of the exact date but its publication is imminent. I am sure the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be able to peruse it and promulgate it widely himself.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Craughwell is a fair man to stir people up. When he speaks about climate change he should perhaps note the damage that paper can do to the environment as well.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: That is a very different matter.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Conway-Walsh referred to a disturbing report today on vulture funds. The Central Bank and the Department of Finance need to read that and act on it. I would be happy for the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Any opportunity to raise awareness of climate change in all sections and ages of society is important. I will be happy to have a discussion with the Senator about the students many of whom, to be fair, have been very responsible, have raised awareness and educated many of a different generation about the importance of this issue.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Very often the young child can be as powerful as an adult regarding climate change. They have an obligation to have a debate on it.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Dec 2019)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Devine mentioned Kevin McCarthy, the consultant paediatric pain specialist who has tendered his resignation. It is an important post. I am not familiar with the exact reasons he resigned other than what I read in the newspapers this morning. The Department of Health, the HSE and the hospital group are, I am sure, working actively on that. It is important to recognise that there is...