Results 8,681-8,700 of 24,447 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 17 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business today. I wish first to recognise, as Senators Coffey and Mark Daly rightly said in their contributions, the importance of the flag and what it symbolises. I commend Thomas Francis Meagher on giving us the Tricolour. As Senator Coffey has said, we should reflect on what the Tricolour represents. It is important that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and at the Oireachtas committee for a long time. The events of the past week illustrate the need for Irish Water.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It illustrates the need to upgrade and maintain our water infrastructure and its network. I think 111 million gallons of water was wasted yesterday or leaked, but I am open to correction, which is equivalent to the amount of water that Cork city uses on a daily basis.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The reality is Senator Ardagh's party was in government for 17 years but never invested in water infrastructure.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: In the city and county that I represent raw sewage was being pumped into Cork Harbour. Are we going to sustain such a situation for the rest of our lives or do we want to get real? I join Senator Ardagh in asking Irish Water to communicate effectively and efficiently with the people affected by the current water crisis. There is a need to recognise the fact that there are water leakages....

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The job of Opposition is very easy, Senator Conway-Walsh.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator's colleagues in the North pay for water and pay well, and pay rates.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Let us get real now.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Let us not have-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Not only can I, I am doing so.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I join Senator Ardagh in her appeal for people to donate blood. Yesterday, the Minister for Health appealed to people to donate blood and made a very strong statement on the matter. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has requested people to donate. I ask Members of the House to encourage people to donate blood through social media and other means. Senator Ardagh is 100% correct when she...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Am I allowed? I am happy to take a point.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to take the comment if it is about blood supply.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator's point is worth pursuing and I accept that. It is beyond my jurisdiction but I would be happy to support him in that. Senator Ardagh's point is sincere and important. To put it in context for Members of the House and those watching, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is aiming to collect 7,000 donations between now and St. Patrick's weekend. We should all support that call....

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: That was the tenet of what came across to me. Rather than have a row with the Senator, because I know she would not want to have a row-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----I was giving her the benefit of the doubt. It is important to recognise that Europe has been very good to Irish farmers.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: On the CAP review, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, when he was Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, did a great job in securing a very good deal for Ireland under the CAP review. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Creed, and Commissioner Hogan will always fight for the Irish farmer and put Ireland at the heart of Europe. With regard to the issue of Storm Emma, the Department and Teagasc...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I think it is a very good move. I am not sure if Senator Bacik gave him any kind of incentive or a carrot but it is very important.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Goodwill and friendship. I look forward to seeing the transfers in the Seanad Trinity panel, if there is one on the next occasion. I welcome that decision. Like Senators Noone, Higgins, Gavan and Norris, I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court today relating to the issue of the rights of the unborn in our Constitution. It is significant that the seven judges agreed. Senator Norris'...