Results 241-260 of 562 for speaker:Larry Butler

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Bill. It is important given that people are living much longer. We need to provide for people in their old age. When it comes to the time that a person will require care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this Bill will come into play. An important point is that older people who are healthy and living in the community do not need care 24 hours day, seven days a week such as...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2009 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (28 May 2009)

Larry Butler: This budget was precipitated by a collapse in our tax take. We found ourselves having to bridge the gap between income and expenditure. Fianna Fáil has a fine record in supporting social welfare and pensions for the less well-off in society. Senator Norris touched on the wonderful actions taken by Mr. Haughey for the elderly in terms of free travel and increases to the old age pension....

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Larry Butler: While I have not yet completed my reading of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, it is a shocking report. The worst aspect of this is the criminalisation of children placed in these industrial schools and institutions, for which the State and the Judiciary are responsible. There is no doubt about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I believe that all these people should receive a pardon. I was in tears, when watching "Questions & Answers", to hear Mr. Michael O'Brien set out how he had been treated by the Rosminians. The panel was shocked to hear how he had been treated and of how his family had been broken up. It was shocking. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, recently brought before this House a Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I thank Senator Quinn and other Members who came along to the Spirit of Ireland presentation, a new idea that will enable Irish people, who have the spirit to get up when down, to create an economy similar to that which we have enjoyed for the past 14 years. This will do it. As Senator Quinn said, we are one of six countries that will provide this type of energy, resulting in a saving to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I remind Members that the Spirit of Ireland group will be in Leinster House today and Members of all parties are welcome to attend the meeting to hear about the innovative project the people concerned have put together to ensure our future energy independence. I expect we will have a worthwhile debate and question and answer session. I would like as many Members as possible to attend. This...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome the Minister of State. It is important we introduce legislation at the earliest opportunity to get NAMA up and running. We all agree our banks are not functioning properly. Complaints are made by every sector of business about the unavailability of credit and we cannot sustain further delay in this regard. I am glad the Seanad will return over the summer to deal with this...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I would like to share time with Senator MacSharry.

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I welcome this legislation, which sets new standards for the auctioneering and property sector. Everybody will agree that the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 is long overdue. It provides for the replacement of the current system of regulating auctioneers and house agents with an updated system of regulation of all property service providers, including auctioneers, letting agents...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I raise the issue of energy, which I raised before. We all welcome the fact that the price of domestic energy has decreased somewhat, but no allowance is offered by energy suppliers to those in the commercial sector. The Leader spoke about this in the House regularly and raised it at meetings of the parliamentary party. In view of the fact that oil prices are increasing steadily, we must...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Larry Butler: Could the Minister place a timeframe on this provision? Senator Cannon's approach is reasonable. This provision could cause great difficulties for companies. A timeframe would help.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I wish to share time with Senator Rónán Mullen. Ireland has a proud record in terms of its overseas development aid. I am also proud of our fine record when it comes to our missionaries, religious orders, nuns and those who have served this country well to deliver services to those less fortunate than ourselves. That must be established here this evening and the message should go out loud...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I would like to highlight the problems being encountered by small businesses when they try to get loans from the banks. I was glad to learn this morning that Bank of Ireland has made substantial provision for its bad debts over the coming year. It is important to welcome the decision of the chairman of Bank of Ireland to stand down and to take responsibility for that bank's poor lending...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Larry Butler: That is another matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Larry Butler: Most of those who made lending decisions in the banks over recent years have gone.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Larry Butler: It is important that they have gone and that a new organisation is being put in place to deal with banking in the future. Now that we have substantial capitalisation of the major banks, can the Leader arrange for a monthly report on the percentage of lending to small businesses to be submitted to the Minister for Finance? That would be welcome. It is important for the directors we have put...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Larry Butler: I congratulate the company in County Galway that this morning announced an innovation in wind energy, whereby it has manufactured a component to deal with low wind speeds, which will run for 300 days of the year. That is a magnificent breakthrough in respect of wind energy production. Yesterday morning, Senator Mullen mentioned another organisation, Spirit of Ireland, which came together...

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Larry Butler: Senator Quinn has summed up much of what I was going to say. Over-regulation in any country is not the way to go. However, I welcome the motion, most of which is reasonable. What I do not accept is that the Government has not handled well the extremely difficult situation we have experienced during the past 12 months. I believe it handled the situation confidently and in a measured way....

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Larry Butler: Yes, I accept that. That is human nature. I agree with much of what is contained in the motion. The Government led by former Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, was in power in the 1970s. He is a man for whom I have great regard. Senator Regan referred to the standards applied by Fianna Fáil in appointments to public office. The Government at that time was a coalition of Labour, Fine Gael and...

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Larry Butler: Therefore I support the Government amendment to the motion. It is important for us to continue to ensure our finances are in a strong position. We need to find a proper solution to the banking problem. I believe we are a good part of the way there. We need to ensure the smart economy starts to work for us. Job creation is the number one issue. A solution to our energy crisis is...