Results 221-240 of 562 for speaker:Larry Butler

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Larry Butler: I used the word "cautious".

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second and Subsequent Stages (28 Jan 2009)

Larry Butler: I thank the Minister of State for introducing this emergency legislation. He provided an extremely good outline of the good work done by the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The fact that we have a register of all landlords is a good development. As the Minister of State indicated, however, there are few difficulties among landlords and tenants and fewer than 1% of all registered...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Motion for Earlier Signature (28 Jan 2009)

Larry Butler: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome the offer today by the Opposition to help and to co-operate within the confines we currently face. That is to be welcomed.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: Senator Ó Murchú struck the right tone in that regard. I disagree with Senator Ross's assertion that the Government is apologising for giving money to the banks. Senator Ross knows, as I do, that one cannot run an economy without an efficient and well-capitalised banking system. The Government has stabilised the banking system, which was not credible some months ago. We all saw how...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: He is anti-banking and he comes from a background of banking. He knows——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: He knows what he is talking about——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: It is his principle.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I shall move on from the banking situation and say to the Leader that I agree with Senator O'Reilly.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: Before Christmas, we put forward the document, Building Ireland's Smart Economy. Part of that document concerns the energy rating of houses and energy efficiency within houses. I got that motion passed within the parliamentary party before Christmas. It is now a question of putting some money behind the proposal. There is potential for substantial job creation in that area, with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I will finish by saying it is important we examine where the economy can create jobs. Although there is a downturn in certain sectors, there are areas where we can inflate and rejuvenate the economy. We should examine that. Some 25,000 to 30,000 jobs equate to three, four or five Dells. It is important we examine where we can create jobs.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Minister. I hope I will not have a negative tone. I will do my best to make a contribution on the basis that there must and should be solutions to all the problems we face, and I am sure there are. The Minister has taken very prompt, swift and effective action in the banking situation. Last October we brought in legislation to deal with the banks. By and large, the banking...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I congratulate the Leader who has been consistent in putting pressure on the ESB and Bord Gáis to reduce their prices to industry. At this time it is key that we have a low industrial power base to ensure we keep the jobs we are losing. That would be a big incentive. I thank the Leader in particular for the work he has done in that regard. I also welcome the Minister's scheme on retrofit...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: The Minister has an opportunity to expand the scheme and invest in wind and solar energy. A total of 20,000 jobs could result from the scheme if it was developed to its full potential.

Seanad: Child Poverty: Motion (11 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Labour Party motion and the debate, and I support the Government amendment to the motion. We have had a very good, informed debate, which, I am glad to say, is the way we should go forward in this House. We all listened to what each other had to say. The Government's current programme for child care and child welfare is a good one. I spent ten or 12 years on health boards...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health and Children to intervene in the closing of the welfare home, Bethany House in Carlow? A delegation from Carlow visited the House yesterday. I believe that home should not be closed.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: It is being closed by the Health Service Executive because there has been little or no maintenance to this fine, well-run home. The residents are being moved to different homes around County Carlow, which does not suit them, and at great expense of €800 or €900 per bed. Bethany House is not the first of its kind to be closed. The Orchard nursing home in Bray, County Wicklow, was...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: Among the positive aspects to which I refer is the reduction in salaries and so forth. However, the most positive development is that we have ensured people who are under pressure when it comes to repaying their mortgages, etc. will now be able to avail of a rest period.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: When the 12-month rest period for mortgage holders ends, local authorities should become involved to ensure that people are not evicted from their homes. Perhaps the local authorities could assume responsibility for making mortgage repayments, if necessary. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government should be asked to examine this matter because all that people are...

Seanad: Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Statements (12 Feb 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Minister of State's speech on the recapitalisation programme. It is important we focus on our banking system. Running a small business, I had dealings with the banks for over 35 years. My business could not have continued without a good credit and banking system. I always had good relations with my bank and kept it up to date with my business activities. The old system...