Results 2,921-2,940 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: Many Members have referred to the referendum in 1983 and the X case in 1992 and the European Court of Human Rights judgment. That is what has brought us to this point. Obviously, there is disagreement on the issue but there are also areas of agreement. Certainly, where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, pro-choice and pro-life people agree that the mother...

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: We want to protect the elderly, the sick, the disadvantaged and the disabled. I suggest the unborn qualify as part of that vulnerable group. Taking the legislative route may not achieve this protection for the unborn. We should, therefore, examine four options, of which guidelines might be the most preferable. I thank the Acting Chairman for her indulgence.

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: If the Acting Chairman allows that point of order, then I want to respond to it. What Senator Colm Burke said is incorrect. The Supreme Court heard evidence from a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: There is a big difference between psychologists and psychiatrists.

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: I hope we are not going to do that.

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: I respect the Minister of State's-----

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: May I raise the issue of side effects?

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: With respect to what the Minister of State is saying, I ask her to agree that termination is not a treatment for suicidal ideation.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: As the Minister is aware, the cuts in social welfare and their cumulative effect are a difficult issue for people on both sides of this House and for people outside the House who are struggling. I accept the bona fides of people here if they vote conscientiously whether for or against the Bill. It is very difficult for people to go against the party Whip. Senator James Heffernan has...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: She is supporting a totalitarian Government. That is what she is doing.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: The Minister is doing the same thing Fianna Fáil was criticised for doing which is to follow pro-cyclical policies. If the country needs anything, it is assistance for growth. Households are submerged in debt. Some 29% of mortgage holders are in arrears or have had to make an arrangement with their bankers. This measure could be what tilts them over the edge. It fails to show an...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: This is a fundamental plank in the Bill and I can see the motivation behind Senator Barrett's attempt to deal with the distortions in the market. Valuations of property will vary. Why was there no consideration given to regional guidelines on a square footage cost? In the past, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government used to supply certificates of reasonable value...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: In the run up to the budget, there was much discussion about fairness. The point made by Senator Harte can be easily undermined. For example, two people living in adjacent homes, one of whom is on a salary of 40% more than the other person and living in a rented property and will not be liable for the property tax and the other person, who is on the lower salary but is above the exemption...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: I understand the point the Minister is making and I can go some of the road with him on it but he has not addressed the serious issue of people who are in great difficulty with mortgages. It was a feature of the Celtic tiger that many people bought or built very large properties and they will attract fairly significant property tax as a consequence. Some 29% of mortgage holders are in...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: I take the point. The Minister has made a credible argument in favour of why the Bill should be done before the finance Bill. I also welcome the Minister's receptiveness to any good ideas that might emerge. However, the problem is that we are on section 2 and there are 157 sections in the Bill. If we get another two sections done, it is probably as much as we can do. This means the Bill...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Minister to answer my point directly. Obviously, he and his officials have put a lot of work into the legislation. As he said, notes have been prepared on all 157 sections. Senators on this side of the House take their job seriously and have also carried out a lot of work on the Bill, but it has been proposed that we guillotine the debate almost at the start.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: Will the Minister allow the debate to continue into the first or second week of January or until we resume next year?

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

Jim Walsh: Is the Minister prepared to do what I suggest?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Jim Walsh: Will the Chairman confirm that copies of the submissions being discussed today are available outside the Chamber?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, Ms Luddy's submission is not yet available.