Results 9,881-9,900 of 10,346 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness to the Tánaiste, she would not know the reason why I asked this question. I am asking it because I met with a man from Loughrea called James Regan who asked me to raise the issue of the licensing laws because of what happened to his son, Brian Regan, who was knocked down and killed by a car in December 2015 at 5.30 a.m. It was obviously a tragedy for him and his family....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alcohol Sales Legislation (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Most publicans do honour and obey the law. It is also fair to say that if people are drinking, they are nearly better off drinking in a public house where they can be watched by the staff and a general assessment of whether they have had too much can be made. However, we must recognise the terrible ongoing effects alcohol can have on young men and the fact that it can lead to these tragic...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 1. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the civilian component of An Garda Síochána is to be enhanced; and if there are any targets in place in that regard. [7630/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: My question is in respect of the civilian component in An Garda Síochána. I know it is the Minister's intention to enhance it. What are the targets envisaged in that regard?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Tánaiste for her response. The reason I raise the question is because we know that a 2015 Garda Inspectorate report pointed out that the Garda Síochána had a relatively low percentage of civilians within its force. It calculated the number of civilians as being in the region of 14%. When one compares that to the situation in neighbouring police forces - for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Civilian Staff (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The benefit of civilianisation is that it allows the members of An Garda Síochána to be out on the street doing active policing, which is what communities want. There is also an advantage in the sense that one gets a different form of culture coming into the Garda. I do not criticise Garda culture, as that has been done enough this week, but in terms of any organisation, if one...

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am now responsible for it.

Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will be supporting the motion. If both Houses support this resolution, this State will establish a tribunal of inquiry for the thirty-first time since the foundation of the State. Of those 31 tribunals of inquiry, it is interesting to note that six of them have been into activities of An Garda Síochána. In fairness to An Garda Síochána, seven of them have been into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (16 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 52. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any analysis has been completed on reasons for the substantial fall in Garda Reserve numbers between 2014 and 2016. [7628/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: At the outset let me give members a brief overview of some terms that apply in respect of prisoners. One hears about parole, temporary release and remission, but the three terms are different. Remission is an entitlement that virtually all prisoners have to have one quarter of their sentence deducted. It does not apply to life sentences. If I were given a sentence of four years, I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all the members for their contributions and efforts. I will deal first with what Deputy Clare Daly said. She made the point that she would like to see community representatives on the board. That is a good idea. We need to assess how we could identify community representatives. A criticism, which may be legitimate, is that the membership of the board may look too legalistic....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Fr. Wallace.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree. The imprisonment is the punishment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am not saying that they should be punished 50% of the time that they are in there. Being in there is the punishment. On the general issue of a sentence and someone going to jail, it is not just a question of trying to rehabilitate, although that should happen all of the time while people are in prison. Rather, a part of the function of a sentence is punishment. Am I being mean?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree, and I will remove it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have given that commitment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of Parole Bill 2016: Discussion (15 Feb 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will call it the "Wallace amendment".