Results 10,621-10,640 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am all for an Opposition that is constructive and that is in favour of reform and progressive politics, unlike what some members of Sinn Féin have to offer. If I may put on record, a Leas-Chathaoirligh-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am replying to the Order of Business. This Government has established the Policing Authority and GSOC and it has protected whistleblowers. All this was done by this Government and that which preceded it. If the Senators want to have a debate on that, let us have one. I am all for it.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: As I said at the beginning of my contribution, we must seek to achieve justice and truth so that we can bring this awful saga to an end for the McCabe family and for those who are involved in policing. We need to reflect on the interesting point made by Senator McDowell. I would be happy to convey his remarks to members of the Government. Senator Mark Daly asked about the Recognition of...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is part of a group and it is up to that group to determine who speaks in what hierarchy or position.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to work with everyone regarding timings. If Senators feel we should give group spokespersons five minutes rather than eight minutes, I will be happy to do that. Senator Higgins referred to a Bill that is being debated in the European Parliament today. I might be wrong in my understanding that it has already been passed.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We will be happy to refer this matter to the Departments in line with the Senator's remarks. It is a question for the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, to which the Senator referred, to consider how it can debate this matter as a sectoral committee.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will be happy to ask the Minister to come to the House, but I think the committee might be the best location for a debate on this issue. Senator Bacik raised the specific issue of policing. I will be happy to invite the Minister for Justice and Equality to address the House in that regard. Senators Hopkins, Gavan and Feighan spoke about the closure of beds at the National Rehabilitation...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I have responded to the points made by Senator McDowell about Maurice McCabe in the context of the policing inquiry. I assure Senator Ó Clochartaigh that I had genuinely hoped to bring the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, to the House this week or last week. His diary had to be changed when an issue arose. I am working with him to try to get a date before St. Patrick's Day. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will endeavour to try to get him in because this is an important issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is entitled to do so. I am trying to get the Minister of State to come to the House. I cannot grab his diary and make him come in on a certain date. He is a Minister of State of the Government and if events-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that. To be fair to the Minister of State, he is doing a good job, as the Senator outlined in his contribution. He has travelled across the world to represent our country.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Similarly, the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, raised the question of the undocumented Irish with the Trump Administration when he was in Washington last week. We should take a collective common approach to this issue because we want to see our people looked after and treated properly. I will endeavour to have the Minister of State come to the House as soon as I can. Senator Lombard is right...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is about other schools as well. In fairness, the Senator is right in what she has said. Senator Mullen spoke about the important matter of Yemen. He acknowledged that we have spent €4 million and recognised that we need to keep up our diplomatic efforts to protect the lives of people who are innocent of any conflict and should be supported. I will be happy to ask the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am happy to make the change.

Seanad: Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not want to begin on a discordant note. In the spirit of the motion and the amendment, the fundamental point is that if we are spending money in the health service we must have accountability in how that money is spent. It is not the case that we have a pot of gold, as Sinn Féin has discovered in the North of our country where it has had to make tough decisions in government...

Seanad: Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not; I am making a point. The Senator should relax.

Seanad: Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Let us look at the model of delivery of our public hospitals. We can see what the private hospitals can do. Senators Colm Burke and Kelleher spoke about the maternity services in Cork University Hospital. I welcome the appointment of John Higgins to his post. He has done a huge job in his role on reconfiguration. He is an eminent person who will deliver for Cork University Hospital and...

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for her remarks. I also thank her for her swiftness in responding to our request that she come to this House. The opening paragraph of the Minister's address is one upon which we should focus and reflect. I will quote from it because it is very important. The Minister said: "This has been the result of the actions of the State, its...

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is ridiculous.

Seanad: Clarification on Statements made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is ridiculous.