Results 10,761-10,780 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There is a mechanism in place around the engagement with unions on Bus Éireann.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The people voted him in. That is the reality. Democracy is the way it is, whether Senator Gavan likes it or not.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I would like to give Senators Humphreys and Gavan and the members of the Fianna Fáil Party a sense of cheer. I have put in a request to have the Minister, Deputy Ross, come to the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I look forward to him coming here so that we can have a debate with him.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I will put a time limit on the Minister's speech this time as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: There will be no ambiguity about that. Senator Coghlan raised the important issue of obstetric services at Tralee General Hospital. He highlighted the issue of risk management. I commend him for that. I would like to pick up on one reference he made to the hospital. Clinics are being held in the hospital. I understand that the issue is one of shared theatre space. I might be wrong in...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know, but the Minister told the Dáil last night during a Private Members' debate on this issue that the Government is committed to providing transport for people. I can circulate a copy of that speech to the Senator. There is also a commitment to providing alternatives, but I hope it will not come to that. My view is that we need to have a public service bus transport company. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Mullen made a meandering contribution on abortion information and funding.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I was going to use the word "specific". I heard the conversation with former President Robinson this morning. I must say I thought it was a very measured conversation. I must go back and listen to it. I thought I was listening to a different station.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: One thing that struck me during this morning's interview was the reluctance of former President Robinson to engage in a political discourse out of respect for the Government and the Taoiseach. I thought that was very interesting.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator might agree with me in that regard. I take his point about human rights across the world. The Members of this House, like the members of the Government, should stand up for human rights, regardless of whether we are dealing with the leaders of Russia, China, Japan, England, the United Kingdom or any other country. It is unfortunate that the new leader of the United States has...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I am not in any way condoning the fact that it has not been implemented in full. The Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, and in fairness, her predecessor, Kathleen Lynch, have prioritised mental health services. We have as a result seen an increase in the budget for them. There is now a proposal that there be weekend access in 17 mental health areas, with partial cover being provided...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend her on the role she is playing in respect of her health promotion portfolio. In the context of this Bill, it is important to focus predominantly on the issue of health promotion. I refer to and agree with the point Senator Colm Burke raised on prescription drug costs and the charge being allocated or ascribed to medical card patients....

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The health of our nation will be well supported by the issue of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. I hope that Bill will return and will be passed. As a nation, we have a relationship with alcohol that needs to be changed and addressed. There is the issue of the price of alcohol and we all support minimum unit pricing. At least I hope Sinn Féin will support it since they had a...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: It is an important and historic day in this Chamber as we debate this legislation. I hope the House will not divide on it, notwithstanding the Minister of State's reference to the Department's concerns regarding the Bill. I commend Senator Nash and his Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward the legislation. They got ahead of the Fine Gael LGBT group on this occasion, as we were...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I know she is not. She made a negative contribution on what should be a very positive day. That was disappointing when one considers the monumental amount of change that has been brought forward in recent years, especially by the last Government. We have moved from a time when people were prosecuted and imprisoned to a point when we can celebrate equality. I think today of friends who are...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: My point is that on a day for celebration, Senator Ruane's comments were somewhat negative. I am entitled to my view and to express it here as a Member of the House. The purpose of this Bill is to enhance equality, fairness and justice for those people were been hurt and let down, not just by the State but also by the church and society over a period of time. It is about addressing the...

Seanad: Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: This Government and the last Government have been the most progressive ever on the issue of equality. I would challenge anybody on that. The proof is in the legislation we brought forward and the way in which we went about our business. I will not be lectured about what we did and did not do.