Results 11,001-11,020 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Ar 10.30 maidin amarach.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Lá stairiúil ba ea an lá inniu. Lá iontach é atá lán d'ionadh. Ar mo shon féin agus ar son gach duine atá bailithe le chéile anseo i Seanad Éireann, gabhaim mo bhuíochas le Céad-Aire na hAlban as ucht an turas a dhéanamh go dtí an Seanad agus go mórmhór as ucht a hóráide cumhachtaí agus...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Social Welfare Bill 2016 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude no later than 6.15 p.m. with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the 18 Senators who raised matters on the Order of Business. I also thank the groups and Members for their co-operation this morning during the visit of the Scottish First Minister, Ms Sturgeon. As everyone will agree, it was an extraordinary event, one of which we should be proud. I thank the secretariat and staff of the Seanad Office - Mr. Martin Groves and the team - for their...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----affordability and risk-sharing in relation to the cost of the drug. The Minister for Health is engaging on this very sensitive matter. The cost of high-tech drugs is an issue about which we need to have a conversation but it is not one on which we should be pitting people against each other. I am happy to engage further with Senator Ardagh on the issue. Professor Michael Barry of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: -----and puts forward a proposal on the cost and pricing of this drug that represents value for money for the health service, patients and the taxpayer. As I said, the Minister for Health is currently engaged on this issue. I hope that a resolution can be reached soon.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Victor Boyhan called for a debate on the refugee crisis. I am happy to ask the relevant Minister to come to the House. The Senator is correct that it is an important matter in respect of which we should not seek to obfuscate or dilute our responsibility. To be fair to the Minister, she has never flinched from that responsibility, nor has the State. This is about ensuring that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Long before I conclude here there will be further commentary elsewhere. I do not intend to fall into the trap of condemning the President or commenting on what he said. The President is a long time supporter of Cuba and Fidel Castro, as is his entitlement. I have no issue with that. Senators Kelleher and Colm Burke raised the issue of gynaecological and maternity services at Cork...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to recognise that passport offices should be brought to the people. I do not see why we could not do so in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senators Craughwell, Conway-Walsh and Colm Burke raised the issue of the HPV vaccine. I have no issue with arranging a debate on the matter as former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that carried out a substantial piece of work. I do not wish to denigrate or take lightly the concerns and views that were expressed this afternoon in the House by the Senators,...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: A huge amount of empirical evidence was given to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that I chaired.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: A lot of evidence has been given to the committee since I left the position of Chair. Let us consider the whole issue. As many as 250 million vaccines have been administered worldwide, 660,000 of which have been administered in Ireland. In Australia there has been a 70% reduction in the level of cervical cancer for females who availed of the vaccine. I understood and have heard the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Feighan raised the issue of air ambulances. It is important to recognise that air ambulances have saved lives, which is welcome. I neglected to mention Senator Norris when I mentioned Fidel Castro. In terms of pensions, I am happy to invite the Minister for Social Protection to discuss the matter. I suggest the Senator raise the matter with him when we discuss the Social Welfare...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Horkan mentioned the ongoing negotiations between the Government and the ASTI. The talks lasted into the night and continued early into the morning. All of us would welcome a conclusion of talks, including the students seated in the Visitors Gallery. I apologise to Senator Warfield, as I missed his remarks last week in my reply to the appointments to the board of IMMA. Knowing the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is something we need to debate. I was on the Constitutional Convention that debated the issue, and we heard the First Minister of Scotland this afternoon speak about the importance of young people being engaged. It is important that we educate young people in their civic duty and in their responsibility before they vote, as they vote and after they vote. Senator Mulherin raised the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes. We will come back to the issue in the new year. I again thank all Members for their contributions this morning during the visit of the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. I thank the staff in particular for their co-operation and great work. We are very fortunate in this House that we have people in the Seanad Office and ushers who work above and beyond the call of duty....

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016: Referral to Joint Committee (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I move:That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft:Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016,copies of which were laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 21st November, 2016, be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with Standing Order 70A(3)(k), which, not later than 15th December, 2016,...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: In the context of the previous speaker's comments I believe the amendment goes a step towards what we are all trying to achieve. Senator Burke is correct. If we look at the current modus operandi under which we now operate as Oireachtas representatives in engaging with city or county councils, in many cases it is merely going through the motions. The level of dialogue or information to...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Ar 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (24 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: As there is a vote on the Social Welfare Bill in the other Chamber I propose that we suspend, if that is in order, until a Minister is available.