Results 3,001-3,020 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: There is no danger of that. At this stage, I can confirm that in drawing up the Fine Gael Bill I had the assistance of somebody who once worked in the Attorney General's office. I was happy it was largely acceptable which is why I pressed it so strongly.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I accept the points raised by my colleague, Deputy Howlin. However, in drafting the Bill initially, I was cognisant of the difficulties of proving issues arising from the exchange of texts and Internet communication and the proofs which would be necessary to constitute an offence. I agree entirely that while the main issue is covered in the Fine Gael Bill now incorporated in the Minister's...

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I have to accept responsibility here. I initially raised questions about this when we were preparing the original draft.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: First, one would ask what is meant by grooming. It was put to me that grooming did not arise from a chance encounter, and I accepted that ultimately. From that point of view, in order to prove grooming it had to be proved that a person lulled a child into a sense of false security and trust and that, essentially, it would not be grooming if that arose from a chance encounter on one...

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Exactly. I was asked earlier about the exact definition of soliciting and importuning.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: That is the distinction.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is a legitimate question.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I gather that they exist on 3G telephones.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: As regards the change from the 2004 Act, where the amendment was made under section 3(1)(a) of the 1998 Act——

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Was there a particular reason for changing the reference in the amendment to the principal Act, in this case the 1998 Act? Instead of having it referred to as subsection (3)(a) it is now referred to as subsection (2)(a). Is there a particular reason for this?

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It was not a question of relating it to a particular section or subsection.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I am concerned to ensure we get this right.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is probably reinforced by the subsection that refers to previous communications on a number of occasions, which introduces a grooming aspect to it.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Some people would argue that he needs a babysitter.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It has been very helpful.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons on the sex offenders register as on the latest date for which figures are available. [8408/07]

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 182: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that the new Garda station on Pottery Road, Dún Laoghaire replacing the existing Garda station at Kill-o-the-Grange will not affect the existing Garda station at Cabinteely. [8452/07]

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 8 February 2007 regarding the number of prisoners from Cork Prison, prior to reaching their release date and taking into account their remission, who were let out on early release in 2006. [8743/07]

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 198: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 31 January 2007 in relation to the station party at Castletownbere Garda Station. [8744/07]

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (6 Mar 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 199: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 31 January 2007 regarding the number of additional Gardaí appointed to each of the stations in Cork West division between the years 2001 and 2006; the opening hours of each of these stations; the numbers of Gardaí in each...