Results 8,761-8,780 of 24,447 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am replying to the Order of Business and that is what I am doing.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Sometimes Members do not like to hear the good news. That is understandable because we have good news to tell people but we have a very clear separation between the fourth estate and Members of the Government and of the Oireachtas, and that is how they should do their business. In keeping with the previous national development plan, Project Ireland 2040, there was no communication with...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am committed, as is Senator Craughwell, to ensuring that we find truth. It will not bring young Aidan McAnespie back, but obtaining justice will give his family some solace. I join with Senator Ó Donnghaile in saying that the issue of equality is important for the North, and particularly the issue of marriage equality. Senators Butler and Norris raised the issue of Permanent TSB and...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I was of the view that it was being investigated. I join with the Senator in saying that there is no way that we should allow vulture funds to have permanent charitable status. That is not what the Act was set up for. Charitable status is not about vulture funds being able to piggy-back and to write off tax, in my opinion-----

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and it should not be allowed to continue. I know the Revenue Commissioners were investigating that, but I would really hope that the situation does not pertain where vulture funds are able to obtain a write-off by virtue of a loophole or a section of the Charities Act. They should not be able to have charitable status. The Cathaoirleach has ruled on the matter of an tUachtarán....

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It is not our jurisdiction.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I hope he does not go for his tea just yet, but I would not like to see him re-elected. His first 12 months in office have been littered with bad decisions and poor governance. The issue of An Uachtaráin is a matter for himself. I very much hope any candidate who obtains the necessary criteria can run for election. A democracy is about a contest.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that. I admired the tenacity and bravery of Senator Norris during the last presidential election campaign in first securing the nomination.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I believe we should have a contest for the Presidency of our country. I know the Cathaoirleach may rebuke me for that. I am not familiar with the issue raised regarding retired members of the Defence Forces. I will be happy to talk about that after the Order of Business. Senator Byrne raised the very important issue of an engineering technology event due to take place in Shannon...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for bringing the Bill before us. As the Fine Gael Leader of the House, we will be supporting this Government Bill. As Senator Boyhan rightly said, it is about ensuring that we have the same age limit for external candidates and that they are not barred from being able to apply and be interviewed for the position. The next Garda Commissioner...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I could be assistant Commissioner or even Commissioner now, never mind sergeant.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The point I am making is that I would have been very happy to have been a member of An Garda Síochána. The change to the 55 age limit for external candidates is welcome. I am wondering allowed now but the Pontiff, US President Trump, President Michael D. Higgins and, I understand, Senator Norris are over 70.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (27 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I am curious as to the reason we are putting in caveats in terms of the age of applicants for this position, but we are open to change.I welcome that an independent appointments commission will be set up. Who will sit on the interview panel? Who will be the people with the competency and expertise? Will they be from inside or outside the jurisdiction? Will they have a set modus...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on flooding, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn not later than 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, and time can be shared, and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; No. 2, Technological Universities Bill 2015 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 2.15...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 15 Members who contributed on the Order of Business. Senators Gerry Horkan, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and David Norris referred to Permanent TSB, following the discussion yesterday on the Order of Business. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, will take the debate on Thursday on behalf of the Government because the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that, but there is a balance to be struck. It is not a one-way street, as is often presented. There are people who will not engage, while there are others who are struggling to pay their mortgages. We all know people who are making sacrifices and engaging with the banks. Are we to abandon them, too? The answer is no, but we must be critical also. It is important to point out,...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: It is even better with new schools, new classrooms, new buildings and new technology. The future is good. Senator Ruane raised the issue of the Prison Service and remarks made by the Irish Penal Reform Trust at the Committee on Education and Skills. As somebody who was involved in that aspect of education, the importance of a second chance and rehabilitation for people in our prison system...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: In his pertinent contribution, Senator Paul Daly raised the ongoing issue of the need for our farmers to be given a fair and proper price for their products. In this case he referred to potatoes. In some supermarkets, they are being sold for 99 cent or 49 cent a bag. It is important a fair price is given to the farmer in this case. I am not sure whether we need a regulator or an...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: I know people who work in IKEA who came to me about it. Senator Byrne raised the issue of the importance of immunisation in the context of the Limerick measles epidemic. That is an initiative which Members need to promulgate. Vaccinations work and we must ensure that message is sent out to people throughout the country. Senator Devine raised the issue of rapid-access clinics for patients...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Feb 2018)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes, the issue of the proposed sale of the Permanent TSB loan book. I hope that will facilitate Senator Devine's request from yesterday. The Minister is not available for which I apologise.