Results 4,061-4,080 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I understand that the Ceann Comhairle also has a job to do, but it is important that the trend of using the Oireachtas almost like a rubber stamp should be counter-attacked.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: This is part of the counter-attack. Deputy Costello proposes that all regulations would have to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and that it would have an adequate length of time to deal with those. In some ways I would go further because there are different ways of dealing with secondary legislation. I fully endorse Deputy Costello's proposal in so far as it goes, but there are...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Yes, that concerns me.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Was it fair to the Bills Office to submit 112 amendments on Monday evening? Is that a fair way to deal with the officials of this House?

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: That is my point.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Bills Office does a great job considering the pressure it is put under. It is absolutely unfair to put it under the pressure the Minister has applied this week. It is part of the unseemly rush to get the Bill on to the Statute Book without appropriate deliberation. With regard to the amendment, for once I agree with the Minister that there is inadequate scrutiny by the House of secondary...

Order of Business (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: May I raise a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle?

Order of Business (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: In all sincerity, would it not be in the best interests of this House if this very serious issue was clarified?

Order of Business (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The point is it could reasonably be——

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I think it unlikely we will reach section 57 so I wish to make a few comments on the ombudsman at this stage. It is vital the institution now put in place will have public confidence. I firmly believe the Minister is still on the wrong track, despite the amendments he has made. Having one of the three-person commission as a chairperson, as suggested by Deputy Costello, is an improvement but...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The House can give its consent that it would be inappropriate if the Minister were not to be allowed to speak then.

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I strongly object to this proposal. I am not seeking to make a political point but we are dealing with a major Bill. The Minister has trumpeted it as of huge relevance to the country. That is true and it is only right that we ensure the Bill in its final form is something of which we can be proud. If one were to consider how best to produce a bad product, one could not think of a better way...

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: An amendment has been proposed about which I would like to make a simple comment. The idea of the Minister granting the Parliament of my country the time to discuss an important Bill, the manner in which this has been presented, appals me.

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: However, two hours for this Bill is not——

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: It was rushed through at the time.

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Deputy McDowell will be arresting people in public houses at six o'clock in the morning.

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Human Rights Commission has not seen the amendments.

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: They were prepared statements.

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: How do we know?

Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: We are one step away from a dictatorship.