Results 9,541-9,560 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Gabh mo leithscéal-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I would remind Senator Wilson of his leader's famous list for the 2011 Seanad election before he comes back to me with anything.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I agree with all Members of the House that we must ensure-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will. Senator Wilson knows I meant no ill-will towards him in my remarks. He knows well what the list was about, however. On a serious note, we must ensure the banks are held to account and that there can be no return to them going native. They must recognise that they are dealing with customers, people, or citizens of our country. Their actions affect customers materially and in...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The point is that they have to care now, and they will be held to account.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is the bottom line.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Craughwell never ceases to amaze me. He is a firm advocate of the Defence Forces and is nominated by one of the unions, which is his prerogative. There are issues in the Defence Forces being addressed by the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe. I realise Senator Craughwell is seeking election to other positions, and if he is successful he will have a key, pivotal role regarding...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: He has engaged in the reform of the Defence Forces.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: He has introduced revised pay scales for general service recruits and privates. These initiatives have been implemented. Newly qualified three-star privates and their Naval Service equivalents will see an increase in their pay to €27,000, representing an increase of over €5,000. The Minister of State has also announced a range of measures relating to contracts, promotions and...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Further to that, bearing in mind that some Members of the House do not like to hear good news, additional funding of €25 million in budget 2018-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----€98 million for capital projects, including major equipment that the Senator knows well is very important to the work of our Defence Forces.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: He did contribute and I did not interrupt him.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am surprised the Senator did not mention or commend to the House the increase in the number of personnel in the Defence Forces under this Government and its predecessor. Let us have a fair debate on the issues. There have been issues over pay and there was the effect of the FEMPI legislation, which has been reversed. There have been issues over the recruitment and retention of personnel...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of funding for the Leader programme. I could not hear from what she quoted.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The amount of funding for Leader between 2014 and 2020 will be €250 million. It is a multi-annual programme and the €250 million will be drawn down over that period. The Senator is correct that the local improvement schemes are important to rural areas. That is why there is a stand-alone Ministry at Cabinet level under Deputy Ring. That is why there will be investment in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We are not delusional about the Leader programme. We have actual budgets for Leader and the local improvement schemes being approved and implemented for every community in the four corners of the country. If the Senator has an issue, I would be happy to raise it with the Minister. I agree with her that we need investment in rural areas. That is why we created a stand-alone Ministry for...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Catherine Noone raised the issue of free GP care and related matters. The potential challenge has been well documented and I will be happy to have the Minister for Health come to the House to discuss the matter. According to my schedule, the public health (alcohol) Bill to which the Senator referred will be before the House in November, although I cannot give Members an exact date....

Seanad: Business of Seanad (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Notwithstanding the order of the House today in respect of No. 1, Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017, I propose that Committee Stage only be taken today.

Seanad: Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (24 Oct 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.