Results 10,781-10,800 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

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

Jerry Buttimer: We worked hard, as a Government and as Government Members, to bring about change and advance equality. We did not sit quietly by; we worked hard to achieve things. That is why today is important for people like John Lyons, who is no longer in the Oireachtas. This Bill is about our friends, our people and ourselves. It is about those of us who were told we were not equal under the laws of...

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

Jerry Buttimer: The point I am making is that this is a day for celebration. This Government and its predecessor have worked more than any other in the history of the State to bring about equality.

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

Jerry Buttimer: We have brought about change.

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

Jerry Buttimer: This Bill, in tandem with the changes brought about the previous Government and the current Administration, helps us to come to terms with the past and to recognise and remember those people who were victims of the State. We have had progressive government, which built a platform for an Ireland where people are equal. The contribution Senator Ruane made was overtly negative around blood...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re psychoactive drugs, referral to committee, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: What meetings?

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Who is invited?

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Beidh sí anseo Déardaoin.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: He could not either.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Martin Groves ar an bpost nua a ghlac sé. As Leader of the House and on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I congratulate Martin Groves, an honourable, professional and decent man, on his appointment to the position of Clerk of Seanad Éireann. In my tenure as Leader, I have always found Martin to be impartial, fair, a thorough...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We are fortunate we have a good and wise man in this position.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: In welcoming the new, I also wish to acknowledge the old and commend Deirdre Lane on her tenure as Clerk and wish her well. Sixteen Members raised the matter of the executive order signed by the US President, Donald Trump, as well as preclearance, the use of Shannon Airport and the visit of the Taoiseach to the White House on St. Patrick's Day. It was an extraordinary decision, irrespective...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: We have access to the highest office of the land in America, to the most powerful person in the world at one level. On behalf of the many hundreds of thousands of people employed in this country and across the world with Irish-American links and having regard to investment links, it would be foolish to cut that tie. It is about diplomacy, access and being able to speak up on behalf of our...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----to become the Mayor of the most Irish-American city in America, with due respect to Senator Lawless and the city of Chicago. The Boston Mayor deserves great credit for the words he expressed.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: Regarding the US pre-clearance facilities at Irish airports, I accept the bona fides of many Members of this House and those who comment on social media and elsewhere. As someone who has travelled extensively in America, I believe the removal of US pre-clearance facilities at Irish airports would hinder business. We must be careful to ensure we do not sever our economic ties with America....

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I would much rather have the Taoiseach in Government Buildings engaged with the Prime Minister of England rather than in a debating chamber in Queen's University.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not want to have a row with the Senator but the Government has been in engaged-----

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: May I make the point that as a political party-----

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: -----the Fine Gael Party has appointed Deputies Fergus O'Dowd and Alan Farrell as co-chairs of the Fine Gael response to Brexit. I invite Senator Craughwell to join me in my home city of Cork where An Taoiseach will speak at a public meeting on Brexit on 13 February.That shows that, in addition to the very successful meetings we have had in many parts of the country about Brexit, another...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Jerry Buttimer: I accept the point that we cannot lose sight of the importance of Brexit. That is why the Government created a second Secretary General post in the Department of the Taoiseach to deal explicitly with issues related to Brexit. It is also why the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, has confirmed that an extra €2.6 billion is being made available to...