Results 2,181-2,200 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I want to refer to two contributions earlier before making my main point. First, the Leader and the House would do well to take on board the cogent and eloquent contribution from Senator Martin McAleese. The sentiments outlined in his contribution would chart a way forward for the Seanad. His words clearly illustrate the reason the Presidency has become relevant and respected by the people...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, in respect of the report to the Council of Europe, is it possible to inquire-----

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I wish to deal with a point raised on Second Stage regarding the class A fine of €5,000 and the maximum term of imprisonment of 12 months. I listened carefully to the Minister's remarks about somebody being peripherally involved in this context. However, I am concerned about the consequences. The Bill has been introduced to prevent the use of chemicals of mass destruction and biological...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I would not go that far.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I appreciate the point made by the Minister of State that this provision would be normal for ordinary, run-of-the-mill offences. As I have no legal qualifications, I am approaching this provision as a layman and concerned citizen. First, I cannot understand why somebody would not be convicted on indictment if he or she had any involvement in this activity. If somebody is convicted, even...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: There is a lower threshold.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: If my reading of the section is correct, if a person has previously been acquitted of the offence, the person cannot be charged again.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: That applies the double jeopardy principle. More recent criminal justice legislation has removed the double jeopardy principle. People can be charged a second time when previously acquitted of an offence. Why do we embrace the principle of double jeopardy in this legislation? This is a very serious offence and it does not seem to be consistent if we are prepared to set aside the principle...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: It was debated within this House in the past two years or 18 months. It received a good airing in the House because the principle existed as long as the State. It was introduced to ensure that people who were acquitted could be charged again when new information or data came to light through investigation. There appears to be a contradiction. I do not want to diminish the seriousness of...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: Eminent as the Attorney General is, this is not something to which I subscribe. It seems the double jeopardy rule should not apply in this case. If provisions have been made for less serious offences, there should be no prohibition on prosecution for serious crimes such as this. We should get the persuasive advice of the Attorney General. It shows a lack of consistency and dilutes the...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I respect that. I do not want to prolong this debate. Offences under this legislation could be carried out by an independent group without connections but are more likely to be carried out by those acting in concert with other terrorist gangs. There is quite a parallel between gangland legislation and the reasons for setting aside the double jeopardy rule. I cannot get my head around how...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister of State for taking the Bill and for the manner in which she dealt with it. It is short but important legislation. I also thank the Minister of State for the way in which she dealt with some of the observations we had. It is an agreed Bill as it was originally introduced by Deputy Micheál Martin when he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. There is no contention...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I listened to the Minister of State and to some of the debate on this issue in the Lower House as well. I have never believed that Governments can create jobs. The best they can hope to do is to create an environment where the private sector will create the jobs. In that regard, it is interesting that what is endeavoured to be done here is reducing specific taxes in certain areas in order...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: The Minister of State's comment that the increase forms part of the jobs initiative package implies that it is a mechanism to generate jobs. What the Government has done in restoring the minimum wage to its previous level is place an obstacle in the way of creating jobs. I could bring the Minister of State to people in any part of my county, as could the Fine Gael Party finance spokesperson...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am responding to the point the Minister of State made which is fundamental to this debate. Much of the commentary I have heard from Government backbench Deputies and members of the Government has been unfortunate. The exception has been the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, who stands out because he has stated exactly what needs to be done and appears to have the...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: It has everything to do with the Minister of State's comments on increasing the minimum wage, which is part of the parcel of job creation. The minium wage is related to the recommendation through the job creation programme.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: Does the Minister of State not believe there is a component of competitiveness involved?

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: I agree with the points being made by my colleague, Senator Byrne. It is very difficult to understand how the newspaper industry qualifies for a reduction in VAT. He pointed out earlier that the industry has been shedding jobs. Not only I, but people who share their time between our jurisdiction and other countries also in deep recession believe the negativity of the media here has ensured...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: How does the Minister of State propose to police the VAT reductions? We did away with price controls when they were needed at a time of significant growth in the economy. Consequently, a great deal of profiteering occurred. Previous speakers referred to obtaining good value in hotels and restaurants. That is undoubtedly true of certain establishments. However, it is not true in respect of...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jim Walsh: Some of my remarks relate to the section. The Minister has just come into the Chamber, but it would be fair to say we have covered a wide gambit, not only on the section but on debt forgiveness or debt relief. Some innovative suggestions were made by Senator John Crown with regard to allowing people access their pension fund before pension age to allow them pay off a mortgage, for example,...