Results 11,121-11,140 of 24,326 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the more than 18 Members who have raised many important issues on the Order of Business. I begin by joining Senator Ardagh, who called for a debate and legislation to deal with the use and misuse of prescription drugs. She will find no argument on that from this side of the House. The figures she recited were in yesterday's report and we have heard about the traumatic impact the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator knows what I mean.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I would not like to incur the wrath of the Leas-Chathaoirleach but he knows what I mean. I join with Members in paying tribute and sympathising with the family on the death of Mr. William Trevor. Senator Conway-Walsh referenced "The Ballroom of Romance" and his short stories. Given that he was born in Cork in 1928, one could say he got his brilliance there.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: A comment from a 2011 interview struck me when he said writers should not feel obliged to explain and things should be left to the reader. He did that in his work. I pay tribute to him and sympathise with his family on his death. Senators Craughwell and Wilson raised the matter of the Defence Forces, which is very important. The Minister of State has committed to coming to the House and...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: We have also seen increased spending on the Air Corps and we very much commend the work being done by our men and women in the Naval Service in the Mediterranean. Equally, there is the issue of increased expenditure in the naval fleet, which is to be welcomed. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, is committed to ensuring the Defence Forces remain an attractive career choice and to do that,...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will refer the matter back to the Senator after the Order of Business and get him the information.I am sure he will be pleasantly surprised. However, I agree with him that we must work together to ensure members of the Defence Forces are rewarded for the work they do.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Conway-Walsh raised the cost of partition and of not being a united country. I congratulate her on raising the matter. I am sure she will join me, along with Senator Noone and Senator Colm Burke, in welcoming the unemployment figures. The national survey from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, shows that employment is continuing to increase in this country. I am sure Sinn...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator always sees the glass half full. Some day the Senator will come to the House and remember that the glass is full. For 16 quarters in a row more people have been at work. If the Senator had his way-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: There was an unemployment rate of 15.1% when Fine Gael and the Labour Party formed a Government in 2011. We had the courage to go into government and to work for the people. You would have them unemployed. Then you would be outside the gate with a placard stating that nothing is happening.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Do not come in here and talk out of both sides of your mouth. Why not admit the fact that there are more people at work?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Unemployment has decreased by 12.6% during the terms of this Government and the last Government. More people are at work and fewer are unemployed. It is the 16th consecutive quarter of jobs growth. Surely the Senators opposite could welcome and celebrate that, rather than bemoan the fact.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not begrudge you getting an increase in pay from your party. I hope you welcome that as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I have no bother with having that debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: The bottom line is that the Sinn Féin representatives, if they are honest, should not hand the money back to their party. They should give it to the State so we can invest in employment opportunities for all sectors of society. If they are honourable about that, they should do it.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Do not talk out of both sides of your mouth.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: Senator Kelleher raised the important issue of dementia and the 55,000 people in our country who suffer from the condition. I commend her on the work she is doing and on the work she did prior to becoming a Member of the House. Tomorrow is an important day and I urge Members to attend the briefing. The Government, with Atlantic Philanthropies, has committed €275 million to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I will invite him to talk not only to those of us who are gay, but also to our allies, supporters and family members so that he can see the values we uphold and stand for and the progress our country has made. I suggest we are lucky and privileged to be citizens of a country that voted in such numbers in favour of marriage equality, a vote that is now shown to be significant across the...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to recognise that the Taoiseach, as Head of State, must work with people.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I hope we can always call out people when they are wrong. The Victory Fund is an organisation that funds and supports LGBT candidates in the US. It is a source of joy that 86 candidates were elected to state or national parliaments in America last week. The new Governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, is the first LGBT governor to be elected. I had the privilege of meeting a young elected...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2016)

Jerry Buttimer: I said that I asked our Whip’s office about it following "Morning Ireland".