Results 8,261-8,280 of 24,320 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: She did not mention it at all.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Here we go.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 24 Members for their contributions on the Order of Business. Some 16 Members - Senators Ardagh, Craughwell, Black, Conway-Walsh, Bacik, Lawlor, Ó Donnghaile, Reilly, Norris, Leyden, Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Devine, Kieran O'Donnell, Horkan, Gavan and Colm Burke - raised the atrocities that took place yesterday in Gaza and the killing of innocent human life. Each of us,...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am quite happy to have the matter debated tomorrow at the conclusion of Private Members' time. The question I pose to Senator Craughwell is which Minister does he want to come before us? Lest people think this a matter the Government-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: In order that Senator Craughwell and Members have understood, I am certainly happy to have the debate and I thank Senator Horkan for his intervention. If there is any degree of uncertainty, then I would not wish that to be the preserve of just a few. I have nothing to hide.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: That is fine. I am happy to proceed along the lines suggested in the Order of Business. I am happy to do that. Senator Ardagh also raised the important issue of the need for safety on the Luas tracks, in particular by cyclists and she highlighted a dangerous situation that could potentially lead to loss of life and severe injury. That is a matter we should take up with the Minister and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I will endeavour to bring the Minister to the House this week but I may not be able to do that. I have put in the request, that is my bona fides.

Seanad: Council Directive on Digital Tax: Motion (15 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:That Seanad Éireann: (1) notes the agreed Report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Standing Order 116 on the Proposals for a Council Directive laying down rules relating to the corporate taxation of a significant digital presence – COM(2018)147and a Council Directive on the common system of a digital services tax on...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements to mark Europe Day, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senators are good at that.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 15 Members of the House for their contributions to the Order of Business. Senators Mark Daly, Craughwell, Ruane, Colm Burke, Conway-Walsh, O'Reilly, Lombard, Davitt and, indirectly, Boyhan, Devine, Gallagher and Ó Domhnaill all mentioned the cervical cancer screening issue. It is harrowing and distressing for any person to be told he or she has cancer but to have to go on...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I will make this clear, as I have done in this Chamber every day since the scandal emerged. We need accountability and people to be held to account. The buck must stop somewhere. It is why the Government established a statutory inquiry to uncover all the facts.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: As Senator Craughwell said yesterday, it is not just about the head of the HSE but it percolates all the way down.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: That is why the Government is determined to get it right. It is about getting all the information and facts so as to restore confidence in the cervical cancer screening programme. We must do that. That brave woman, Emma Mhic Mhathúna, was part of the HPV vaccine advertisement. It shows what we must do and that illustrates the importance of the scoping inquiry. We must get all the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I understand that. It will force people to leave and go elsewhere.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It is disappointing in terms of people leaving our country but also in terms of investment coming in, and the Senator is correct in that regard. I wish to make it clear, in the context of Apple and Galway, that the Government and the IDA did everything possible to encourage and entice Apple to invest. I think two people objected-----

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----one of whom was not even living in the area. This is not just about a systems failure. We all want to see the democratic process at work in the context of planning matters. At the same time, in this case a person who was not even living in the area objected to this development and the whole system came tumbling down. What do we do? The Government was criticised for introducing the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the strategic planning initiative. The case is going to the Supreme Court.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It could, and I am not arguing against what Senator Craughwell is saying. To respond to Senator Mark Daly, it raises the question as to what is the best system for planning. I do not want to see what Senator Craughwell has suggested, whereby foreign direct investors will not come to Ireland, and that is the problem we face. On housing, we had a debate last week with the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Sláintecare report, which is the roadmap for the future of health services in this country, has sections dealing with that issue. It is important that we have someone at the helm who is going to lead and to bring about reform and accountability. To be fair, that is what the Minister for Health is trying to achieve. The job is an important one and I accept the points made by...