Results 10,661-10,680 of 24,400 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is what worries me.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In the context, I am happy to announce to Senator Ardagh that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, will be in the House next Tuesday for education statements. In terms of the first-time buyers grant that she raises, it is new scheme and it will take time. May I just remind Senators Murnane O'Connor and Ardagh that we had a recession that killed off the construction industry...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Some day Senator Craughwell will be standing here and I look forward to hearing him give his reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The facts are very simple. We had a recession under the watch of Fianna Fáil in government which killed off the construction industry. That is a fact which must be acknowledged by the Members opposite.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to recognise that the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, in Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness has set out targets and actions that must be followed up. We will have control of rent, which he has addressed by the introduction of rent pressure zones, which I am sure Deputy Murnane O'Connor will welcome....

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I share his view on the Passport Office. It is good to see an increase in the staffing levels to deal with the increased level of applications.It would be interesting to have a debate on how we might make access to passports easier for people. I do not see any reason why we could not have such a debate in Derry, Belfast or wherever else. I would very much welcome that. Senator Murnane...

Seanad: Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:“That Seanad Éireann:- bearing in mind the serious public concern about allegations that senior members of An Garda Síochána sought to discredit Sergeant Maurice McCabe because of complaints he made about the performance of An Garda Síochána; - noting the Protected Disclosure that was made by Superintendent David Taylor to the Minister for Justice and...

Seanad: Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will be brief. I welcome the Minister. I want to remark again, without making a political charge, that our language and our words are very important. What we say gets covered. I know that today in the Order of Business, Senator McDowell raised the matter of the Garda Commissioner as he did again today. To be fair to him, he said there was a professional issue that he could not comment...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on transport and tourism, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.45 p.m., with the initial contribution of the Minister not to exceed 12 minutes, the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given ten minutes to reply at the end...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: That is a new low.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator ought to hold a mirror up to herself.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator has some cheek.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Oh dear God.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I was not referring to the Senator. I was reading a note.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 18 Senators who raised matters of importance. I neglected yesterday to wish Members a happy St. Valentine's day. On behalf of the House-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----I wish to thank Senator McDowell for killing St. Valentine's night for many of us.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In fairness, the matter that we discussed yesterday was of absolute importance. I commend the women, in particular, who were involved in the campaign. I think we did a very good day's work despite our different views on the Bill. It is a very positive Bill. I thank Senators for the co-operation yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept that. That is a fair comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Mark Daly, Boyhan, Conway-Walsh, Bacik, Craughwell and McDowell referred to issues relating to Maurice McCabe, policing and the inquiry. It is important to reiterate that we in the House are not judge and jury. We are not going to sit in judgment. I accept that we, as Members of the Oireachtas, have a role to play in holding the Executive and State organisations to account....

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: If the Senator will let me finish, it is also about other whistleblowers and how we can ensure that we have better model of policing whereby, as I said yesterday, there will be accountability. The important point, in my personal opinion and in my view as Leader of the House, is that Sergeant McCabe and his family should receive and attain justice and truth. That is why a public inquiry is...