Results 1-20 of 10,435 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025: Referral to Select Committee (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)(b) and 188(1).

Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025: Second Stage (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all my colleagues for their contributions. It is also notable and unusual that everyone who spoke is very much in favour of the legislation, with full support across the House. I welcome that. It is also important that people who are involved in criminality and generating wealth from it, know that there is unanimity in this House in our opposition to them and in our desire to...

Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025: Second Stage (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy.

Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025: Second Stage (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce this afternoon to Dáil Éireann the Proceeds of Crime and Related Matters Bill 2025. This Bill is a significant and necessary step forward in our efforts to ensure that Ireland's framework for tackling organised crime is robust and effective. The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach will recall that 29 years...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senators Ryan and Stephenson for tabling the amendment. I also thank Senator McDowell for his contribution in respect of it. When we are discussing the defamation Bill, as I have said before, we have to have at the centre of our focus and our discussion what are in effect two competing rights. On the one hand, we are trying, as Houses of the Oireachtas, to vindicate and protect the...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am conscious that we will not get to a vote but I will try to respond to the issues raised. Senator Stephenson asked me why I am proceeding with this diminution of rights. We have to be careful about the use of the term "right". There is a statutory provision under the Courts of Justice Act 1924 and the Defamation Act 2009 that states someone is entitled to a jury in the High Court so we...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In October 2024, Government approval was given to draft a general scheme of a Bill to significantly reform the Coroner Service, following the publication of a report on the consultation process in relation to reforming the Coroner Service. One of the key aims of reforming the Coroner Service is to minimise the impact of the death investigation process on bereaved people. Officials in my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a monthly payment of €600 available to those providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Since the scheme launched in July 2022, over €339m has been paid to some 26,100 recipients in respect of hosting over 56,700 temporary protection beneficiaries. As of 13...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that I was briefed on the operation of Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) in advance of the transfer of functions. I also engaged with relevant Ministers in connection with the recent Orders to extend the scheme to March 2026 and to reduce the monthly contribution rate to €600 from 1 June 2025. There is ongoing engagement by my Department with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and that we are determined to protect vulnerable communities. Ireland was at the forefront of tackling incitement to hatred through the introduction of legislation, namely the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, in 1989. It is an offence to incite hatred based on a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 30 June 2025, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 3,679 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This is the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána, and represents an increase of over 18% since the end of December 2020. The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy will be aware that a range of supports are available for people experiencing domestic abuse, who need protection and other orders, including from An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other specialised domestic violence services many of which are funded by Cuan, the DSGBV Agency established under the remit of my Department. The Legal Aid Board is the statutory,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection, by moving away from commercial properties to more State-owned centres. The purchase of this site comes with a strong commitment to engagement with the local community and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am informed that my Department did not historically collate centrally the information sought by the Deputy. However, over the last twenty months, since the appointment of a Head of Procurement, my Department has run a small number of above-EU threshold public tender competitions, that did not result in an award, including for the following reasons:A change in business requirements. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Private Partnerships (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are projects whereby the asset is funded and constructed by a private sector partner appointed through a public procurement process, following which it is made available for public use and is paid for by the State and/or users over an extended period (typically 20-25 years), after which the asset comes into State ownership. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has not procured services from the company referenced. I am informed by An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service that these organisations have procured Starlink satellite services to support their telecommunications requirements.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Inquiries (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In all IPAS Accommodation centres, whether they are commercially provided or State-owned, centre management and providers are responsible for day-to-day operational arrangements on the site, including catering, health and safety, utilities and security arrangements and other requirements. The provider must ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that they will provide the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Artificial Intelligence (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The rate of development in AI tools is unprecedented. A whole of Government approach is required to address AI challenges effectively and harness AI opportunities. My Department has engaged, and continues to engage, with counterparts across other Departments on digital matters, including AI. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government includes a Minister of State for Trade Promotion,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (17 Jul 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country. At the moment, over 90% of accommodation capacity is provided through commercial providers. In contracting accommodation over recent years, despite significant pressures on accommodation supply, the...