Buttimer is Seanad Deputy Chair

Seanad Éireann needs “serious reform”, Senator Jerry Buttimer said this week following his election as the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

The Cork Fine Gael senator previously served as the Leader of the Seanad and was re-elected to the Seanad in April 2020.

Speaking after the Seanad sitting on Tuesday, Senator Buttimer said it was an honour to be elected the Leas-Chathaoirleach. He added, however: “Seanad Éireann has a serious constitutional function and I am on the record as saying it requires serious reform to reflect our modern democracy. I look forward to playing my role in that as Seanad Leas-Chathaoirleach.”

He also promised to make sure there was a fair and effective management of the debate in the Upper House.

He said: “This is a great next step for me personally after serving as Leader of the Seanad in the last Oireachtas term, as well as Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee during my time as a TD for Cork South Central.”

He also pledged to be a strong advocate for the Irish language.