Results 10,981-11,000 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Thank you.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator should be in the Dáil.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He was here.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator is wrong. The Minister was here.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Even Homer nods.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome the Minister back to the House. He is probably one of the most accessible of all Ministers and to be fair to him, he comes to the Seanad for debates, notwithstanding the comments made by other Senators. I thank and commend Senator Mark Daly who has championed the idea of extending the franchise in presidential elections. He has done considerable work on this issue in the United...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We were not in government for 14 years. The Government that preceded us put the-----

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Sinn Féin will not go into government.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: That is part of the problem. The only party that wanted to go into government after the election was Fine Gael.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Ó Clochartaigh is a great man for opposing everything and supporting nothing. He speaks on everything. I will revert to Senator McDowell's point on the Seanad Bill. The issue of presidential voting rights is not black and white. I was a member of the Constitutional Convention, which gave a strong endorsement to extending the franchise.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The convention voted on the issue. It had a very good discussion on the topic before reaching a conclusion. The important point is that it is critical to prepare in advance. Senator McDowell spoke about fidelity and loyalty to the State and the right to vote. How is it proposed to allow the 700,000 people who acquired an Irish passport this year, whoever they may be, the right to vote if...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----little quibbles get in the way and change the discourse in a referendum campaign. Politicians use the electoral register, which is clearly in rag order. If one looks at how it is compiled in many places, one finds that the names and addresses often do not match up. I visited New York to observe the recent presidential election. I was struck by the fact that the US and Irish electoral...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: That is my point. If one extends the franchise, one must arrive at a decision as to whom it should be given, apart from those who live in the country. Would we extend it to all those who hold a passport? For how long can they have been living outside the country? Must they visit the country every six months or must they stay abroad? This is not a black and white issue. The President is...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: At times, the Senator did not do too well in that regard in his former incarnation. I suppose he will welcome Bertie Ahern back today. I presume that would be another good move for the country. It is sometimes lost on Members that it is the prerogative of the Government to accept or reject the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention. The right to vote is a precious and cherished...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: He has been a very welcome visitor to the House. He attends often at very short notice and is willing to engage and discuss with Members, as I am sure Senator Ó Clochartaigh will-----

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Mac Lochlainn should look at his own members in Stormont who do not interact on many issues. The mirror should be looked at as well.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: What is their response to marriage equality in the North, for example?

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Sinn Féin has a poor record of advancement there.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Talk to the people up there.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: You do not.