Results 2,281-2,300 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Jim Walsh: May I share time with Senator Ó Murchú?

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Jim Walsh: I compliment the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, on a measured and sincere contribution. We owe it to the victims to take that approach at least. The rape and abuse of children are heinous and abhorrent crimes. In many instances, to deprive children of their innocence is to deprive them of their futures. I have seen the lifelong effects. They have had relationship difficulties, their sexual...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of clarification, although I do not wish to be contentious-----

Seanad: Family Home Bill 2011: Second Stage (27 Jul 2011)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Darragh O'Brien for sharing his time. This Bill is analogous to the debate we held earlier in that most objective contributors recognised the failures that occurred in the church at the centre, in dioceses and in the State. If the issue of child protection is to be our priority, we have to correct the failures within that area. In this instance, however, we are dealing with...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: The Comptroller and Auditor General has issued his report and, as usual, it is getting a fair amount of airing in the newspapers. It will also go before the Committee of Public Accounts. Will the Leader arrange a debate on that important document? I have always felt that while the comptroller will identify places where money was wasted in the order of perhaps tentative millions, based on...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Yes. Would the Leader consider having a debate on how, perhaps, the Seanad election could be extended on an all-island basis? I know from talking over a decade ago to colleagues who were elected members of the Unionist fraternity in Northern Ireland that they would countenance participating in this Chamber if there were sufficient numbers to prevent them being isolated within their...

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire chun an Bhille tábhachtach seo, a dhéanann leasú ar Bhunreacht na hÉireann, a phlé. Aontaím le móran den mhéid atá ráite ag an Aire mar gheall ar an leasú seo. Presumably, this Bill has arisen because of a failure by some judges. Some 126 of 147 judges accepted the voluntary scheme set up by the Judiciary and the Revenue Commissioners...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I have followed the debate with interest and I think we have come to the nub of the issue. I hear what Senator Byrne is saying, and I must defer to the fact that he is a solicitor, but my interpretation of the amendment to section 4 differs from his. I find myself much more disposed to the amendment, unless the Minister can clarify its precise legal nature. The amendment before us seeks to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: This is why I am coming back to this reason for personality.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am aware of that and I am conscious of the huge cost that has been incurred to date and that will be incurred. I would like to see far greater emphasis placed on the stressed taxpayers who are trying to meet the public cost and that we would not be wasting money in future. That is one of the reasons I am supportive of the thrust of what we are trying to do here. That balancing issue is a...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: -----that will be done. I do not expect it to be done, and consequently I have these reservations. We are now going into a referendum campaign on the issue, and I regret the fact that greater time has not been allocated to teasing out these issues within the Houses because they go to the root of how we wish to see society governed. At issue is the principle of the right of an individual to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am sorry to interrupt the Minister, but what is the difference between the common good and the public interest?

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I would like to see the amendment to the Constitution restricted in scope in the first instance. If experience taught us the change was right, fair, impartial and had no political influence brought to bear on it, perhaps we could consider expanding it. It may be dealt with in legislation. The headlines in any newspapers in future could be cause for an inquiry in these Houses. I have no...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Mr. Justice Hardiman's judgment made that very clear.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: It is a very wide issue.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Would it be an offence for an external person to try to influence the committee?

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: At €100 million per book.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am a little concerned that the Minister is dismissing the concern to ensure that the rights of the individual would be balanced proportionately with that of the public interest. I have listened carefully to the Minister and I believe these rights are inherent in the measure. From that point of view I am reassured. However, the kernel of my concern surrounds the capacity of individuals to...

Seanad: Address by President of the Irish Human Rights Commission (28 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh Dr. Manning go dtí an Teach inniu. I served with Dr. Manning in the House previously and he was one of the most articulate and finest minds with whom it was my privilege to serve in this House. He has obviously brought that great capacity to the current important position he holds. As one who was criticised for claiming that many branches of the NGOs had hitched their...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: I agree with the comments made by Senator Cáit Keane and the sentiment behind them. The waste across many areas of the public service at a time of severe fiscal difficulties needs to be reined in. I do not know if anyone saw the interview the other evening with Michael Somers, the former chief of the NTMA, who spoke about the need for us to bring down prices and salaries and try to get the...