Results 9,381-9,400 of 24,447 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The National Treatment Purchase Fund has offered treatment plans to 3,103 patients and half of those people have accepted them. The Minister and the Government are committed to reducing waiting times and to improving access. We all want to see compliance put in place. That is what the Government will do, and is doing, through the HSE. Senators Craughwell and Devine referenced the issue of...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am using that word myself. We do not have an obligation to do so and should not have to. We have statements. If the Senators want to have statements on statements, we can have a discussion about it, but our role is having the Minister into the House for statements. In terms of the legislation, I am not aware of the issue Senator Devine raised with respect to her amendments but the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Boyhan asked for the Taoiseach to come to the House. I have put that request to the Department of the Taoiseach. He is looking forward to coming to the House and having a debate with us on a variety of issues. I hope it will be possible to have him in the House before Christmas. We are endeavouring to confirm that and I will work through the offices of the Cathaoirleach and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Government has allocated €1.8 billion in the budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with the Senator, we do. I gave the Senator a figure last week but he did not like it. In the city of Cork, 634 units are being constructed as we speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Some €155 million is being invested in the city of Cork alone.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I commend the Senator on praising the Galway Traveller Movement for its work. As a former chair of Cork City Council's committee on Travellers, I believe it is important that we understand that Travellers have housing needs which must be met. There is an obligation and duty on all of us as political representatives to work to ensure that we house all our people, including Travellers. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I would be happy to work with the Senator Gallagher on the matter. Senator Davitt raised the issue of the Bitcoin payment system. The Central Bank is examining its potential impact. I would be happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to discuss that issue. Senator Mulherin referred to alcohol and, in particular, below-cost selling. We will debate that matter when we deal...

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome the families to the Gallery and thank Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell for her work on this debate and for challenging us in our approach here today. Senator Black made reference to restorative justice, to the role of rehabilitation in prisons and to how we see those who have been incarcerated. I believe that we should all support...

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that Fianna Fáil has a Bill and I have no problem with that but I think that we, as Members of this House, must engage in the debate on this. I always find the Minister of State to be very accommodating and he made a very practical suggestion today that the Bill be sent to the justice committee. I know that pre-legislative scrutiny has increased but it is disappointing that...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: To allow others to contribute-----

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Notwithstanding the order of the House today, I propose an amendment to proceedings on No. 1, the Minimum Custodial Periods upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017, to allow for Senator O'Reilly, the Minister of State and Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell to contribute.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am going to finish now and then allow five minutes for Senator O'Reilly and five minutes for Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell and for the Minister of State.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes, I propose we conclude at 1.40 p.m.

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods Upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will now conclude. We all agree that victims of crime and their families deserve to be supported and deserve justice. Senator Coffey used the word "desensitised". I say that we cannot make this normal. Notwithstanding rehabilitation and restorative justice, there must be intent in what we do and an understanding of the consequences. I hope we can find a mechanism to avoid the Bill...

Seanad: Minimum Custodial Periods Upon Conviction for Murder Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I propose that, notwithstanding the order of the House today, in respect of No. 2, statements on tracker mortgages, we will allow just six minutes for group spokespersons rather than eight.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. All of us who are former members of a local authority recognise the work done by councillors and the strategic importance of local government in our democratic system. Senator McDowell, in one of his recent contributions on the Order of Business, was critical of Dublin City Council both from a strategic planning perspective and for the way in...

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am just making that point in the context of the position of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, and other members of the Independent Alliance. The important point to make is that the priority must be ensuring adequate representation for citizens. I give the Minister of State credit for having engaged on this debate and delivered the first steps towards...

Seanad: Justice Matters: Statements (22 Nov 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.