Results 161-180 of 562 for speaker:Larry Butler

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: We will then have to consider the recapitalisation of the banks.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: A number of things may have to be done.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I just wanted to put that on the record this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: We should demand that the banks pass on the 0.5% reduction in interest rates, which is especially welcome for hard pressed house owners. This will also help to reduce inflation. The Minister of Finance must intervene and say that the banks must reduce interest rates when the European Central Bank has done so. That is vital, because the householder has been hard pressed over the past year...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: ——it is a help to the unions when they decide on the national wage agreements, which they must do in the present climate. The job of the Government is to ensure inflation is kept under control.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: This is one method of ensuring we do. The Minister now has an opportunity to deal with this matter. I remind people that small and medium businesses must have credit available to them. Interest rates affect small and medium businesses more than larger businesses. They are the backbone of the economy and, whether we like it, there are approximately 1 million people employed by small...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: We are trying to keep jobs in place at present. There is an opportunity now to support our banking system. I believe in a strong banking system. We will not work our way out of economic problems without a strong banking system. It is vital that the Leader impresses upon the Minister for Finance the importance of delivering on this issue.

Seanad: Volunteering in Irish Society: Statements (14 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: It is important to address voluntarism and the important role volunteers play in their communities. I welcome the Minister of State who is doing tremendous work in his portfolio. Organisational ability is needed to move volunteers in the right direction and he has a major role to play in this regard, which can be constructive. Reference was made to the tremendous voluntary activity...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I congratulate the Minister of State for dealing with a very tough budget. We all knew this one would be difficult because we were facing a huge hole in our finances. It was necessary to take hard decisions, to be decisive and to show leadership and I believe we have done that. It was important that we made a major decision in July that gave savings of up to €400 million. That was far...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I beg the Senator's pardon.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I am sorry if I am wrong by a day.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: How am I doing for time?

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: This budget is a corrective measure and is part of the solution. We must see it in the European context. Our bubble has burst in terms of the construction industry but when we look at countries such as Germany whose bubble was not in that industry we see that it must now examine the bubble burst in its economy, namely, the car industry. Today General Motors looked for a major bail-out from...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008: Motion (17 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As speakers noted, this is an important scheme which takes the first step. It is important to strike a balance to ensure the legislation is flexible and will allow the banking system to function. This is what the scheme achieves. As I indicated, however, it is only a first step. Other countries, both in Europe and globally, adopted different...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008: Motion (17 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: Before we see the bottom the banks will have to come clean on their loan books and write down what is necessary for the markets to kick back into place again. That is the second stage of this process. This is what the Minister has done, and he has given himself leeway. We need strong financial packages for small businesses, export businesses and industries that keep our employment and...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements (21 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, to the House. I believe he probably has the most important job in the country because he is dealing with our young children. We must make a major investment in our young people for the future. The Government takes its responsibility for young people very seriously and their futures depend on it. We have been late starters in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: Given our serious financial position and having assessed our position after the budget, will the Leader consider the great number of eminent persons on both sides of this House who will be important in the future and look at setting up a new committee of this House with teeth that could produce facts and figures and look at what Senator Callely was talking about for the next budget? We can...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I am glad a sense of realism has crept into the debate. We are in a very poor financial state and must look at all the options. Senator Quinn is right that all the options must be examined. The health, education and other budgets are out of control.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: I never interrupt anyone in this House and expect the same courtesy when I speak. I support Senator Harris in that we must examine the public sector, including the health service and any area which has a major budget. If we do not do so, we will not be able to support the social welfare and education services. It was grand when we had the Celtic tiger which was purring away and producing...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Larry Butler: Senator Regan can gain some satisfaction from that, but he has a short memory. It is not too long ago that he went to the polls.