Results 2,761-2,780 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: They should post it off with a tenner.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Before the Tánaiste replies——

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I wish to ask a related question on the same issue.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: This matter pertains to amending the Constitution. Can Members not hear a reasoned comment?

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: An opportunity is not even being given for all-party comment.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Unfortunately, it is quite rare for Members to have an opportunity to have a proper debate on prison conditions and on the Prison Service. That said, Members must confront the stark reality of the current situation, namely, that Ireland's prison system is failing. This system produces a recidivism rate of more than 75%. A recent study by the Institute of Criminology, University College...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: That is what intrigued me. It is stamped as having gone through the censor's office. It is interesting as it is a hands-on account of what is happening in St. Patrick's Institution, and even worse is the already clear intent of what he will do when he is released. How can we possibly expect the prison system to work if that is how things are operated? The example from my letter can...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: However, it will be gone once the gleam becomes a reality, if it ever does. The Minister probably sees a gleam in my eye when I mention the €30 million which has gone down the drain on a place worth between €5 million and €6 million, and that is not the only example of the Minister's profligate approach. I warned at the time that access to Thornton Hall was dreadful and that it would...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is even further from west Cork but, thankfully, we are very civilised in west Cork. It is certainly a much better option than Spike Island and proper transport facilities for relatives should solve the problem. I am broadly supportive of the proposal and am very glad the Minister saw the error of his ways in contemplating spending huge sums of money on Spike Island. My continuing...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: A couple of issues arise in respect of the privatisation of certain prison services. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has made much of his confrontation with the Prison Officers Association and clapped himself on the back for achieving great savings. I wonder would his claims stand up to further scrutiny. I understand the average cost of keeping somebody in...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: In Britain, where I have seen some of the prison accommodation, the figure is €36,000. The Government has not made value for money a great priority and if international comparisons are used in judging the Minister's performance he does not rate highly. The Minister proposes giving future Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the power of privatisation, to exercise if appropriate....

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: There has been so much abuse in this regard that it is time to raise the flag and call a halt. I had occasion to examine carefully one of the Minister's pet projects, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, and the pets appointed to it. Frankly, the outcome was horrifying. We have had enough of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats' friends being appointed to positions without qualifications...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: He is a man of whom the country can be proud. I am not sure that the Minister can be proud of how he treated the inspector or how many of the inspector's reports were, if not buried completely, allowed to gather dust before it suited the Minister to slip them out, not coincidentally at the end of a Dáil session so that any debate on them could be stifled and no awkward questions could be...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: On drug testing, the Minister stated that he would end drug-taking in prisons, but we need a separate debate on the issue. I am delighted by the notion in theory. I would love to see no drugs in prison. I do not want to see drugs in the country. The ordinary people of the country cannot understand how prisoners can get drugs after being locked up in prison. I revert to the letter from the...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Is there no one else to pick it up?

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The inmate refers to taking a few "yellows", whatever they are, and smoking a few "J"s while listening to Bob Marley. It is a normal activity in that prison, but the Minister is telling us that he will end drug-taking in prisons. There seems to be a significant gap between theory——

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: ——and reality.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The debate has been a useful opener, but there should be further opportunities for serious and lengthy debate on this matter. Many issues need to be covered. It is in everyone's interest — those put into prisons, those who stay out and society as a whole — to have a considered and working prisons policy, unlike the current policy which is failing society.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister could have fooled me.

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 86: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the title of each statutory instrument which he made during 2006 and which was not published in the usual way pursuant to Section 3 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1947; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3303/07]