Results 9,741-9,760 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is equally important that Members understand that the Constitution is open to change by the will of the people. If our Constitution does not reflect a modern society, then we would not, for example, have passed marriage equality and we would still have people being treated as less equal than others in our Constitution. In saying that, Senator McDowell is right that there are referenda...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The point the Senator makes is one that we need to have a conversation about with regard to the number of referenda we hold and when. The Taoiseach has outlined his views on that. Senator Reilly referred to transport. I would be happy to invite the Minister, Deputy Ross, to the House. The Senator also referred to Irish Water and the new sewage treatment plant in Rush. It shows the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is a question of how we do our business. If the Senator is unhappy, he can come to our meeting, as he does, to be fair to him, and we will have that discussion there. I will invite the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, to the House to address Senator Freeman's concerns. I fully agree with Senator Paul Daly. There is a need for responsibility in the area of farm safety and it is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Our work as Members of this House is not just about being here, as the Senator knows. It ill behoves all of us to come in here and to run ourselves down. There are enough people trying to do that anyway without us doing it. If the Senator has a constructive proposal about how we do our business, I am very happy to take it on board and will gladly meet the Senator to discuss it.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Ó Domhnaill and Mullen raised the right to assemble or have freedom of speech. I cannot answer for the hotels where the events have been cancelled. It is disappointing that people are prevented from holding meetings for a variety of reasons. Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the issues of the eighth amendment and of rape, which is a very sensitive matter that we must handle by...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----that is going to take us from here to the moon and back. We only have a certain amount of money and we must spend it in a way that does not bring us back to the bad old days of the past. Senator Mullen also referred to Aung San Suu Kyi and he has made a very good point that she needs to show leadership. The world stood with her and recognised her importance. The Senator is right that...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I beg the Senator's pardon. I saw the correspondence that I received from Drumcondra. I would be happy to facilitate that debate. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, will be in the House next week.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will try to have it done next week.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I propose that we suspend until the voting block in the Dáil concludes. The Minister, Deputy Murphy, is in the House. I apologise to Members. It is unfair to this House that Ministers are being tied up in a voting block. I hope we can change this situation.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It was not a rant.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Devine is excused. The Senator is all right but-----

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the facts hurt too.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The one-dimensional speech, is it?

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to the House to debate this very important matter. I shall begin by discussing the last point made by Senator Humphreys and his claim that there is not just one solution but many solutions to this problem, which is what this Government is committed to. I am not a landlord and own my house. Senator Grace O'Sullivan claimed...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Under a Fine Gael Government, Senator Gavan. Seven sites await development to a tune of €37.6 million. That shows social housing is being delivered by a Fine Gael Government.Please tell the people who are now housed in the two places I just named, in particular in Sheridan Park, who have moved in and are delighted to be there, that a Fine Gael Government is providing them with social...

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Norris, Dolan, Reilly and Gavan have yet to speak.

Seanad: Housing: Statements (28 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I propose to extend the sitting until 3.30 p.m.

Seanad: Mid-Term Review of Capital Plan: Statements (27 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this important discussion. I say so not least because, as he said in his speech and rightly so, that we consider the capital plan in the context of individual projects and how best to grow and develop all regions of this country. We must also be mindful that we draw a line beyond the M50 and Red Cow roundabout so that we can ensure that...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Mac Lochlainn used the words "kind enough." Well Senator McDowell jumped on the horse. As I said yesterday, his very fine newsletter, which is being circulated to the Members in Dublin Bay South, speaks about what we can do regarding Seanad reform. I am very committed to bringing about Seanad reform. What Members with different viewpoints must recognise is that we live in a...