Results 3,041-3,060 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Jim Walsh: I know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussion with Amnesty International Ireland (27 Feb 2013)

Jim Walsh: That is what I thought. I accept that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Jim Walsh: I welcome Mr. Browder. Deputy John Paul Phelan and I, as well as others, have heard this presentation previously at the OSCE and it had a powerful influence on us, as I believe it has had on the joint committee here. As for the parallel with the case of Veronica Guerin, who had the courage to tackle organised crime, lawyers often are front-line defenders for human rights and, therefore,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Discussion (27 Feb 2013)

Jim Walsh: We have had a valuable engagement on a fundamental topic under our remit. I am of a mind based on what I have heard today and previously during our hearings that it would be prudent to follow the template elsewhere. I am inclined to go with the suggestion that we seek to have the Government implement the Magnitsky sanctions in Ireland and utilise the opportunity of the EU Presidency to seek...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Bill. It is a good initiative. The detail of the Bill is not important at this stage, as it can be debated and amended. The principle is absolutely first class, as is the motivation behind it. When the recession loomed in 2008, many Members of this House said democracy would be the first casualty of the economic recession. We are now seeing this happen, unfortunately. It...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I do not say this lightly, but I am genuinely concerned about the tendency towards totalitarianism in this state.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I really think this drift needs to be arrested and many are speaking about it. We have seen the guillotine used in this and the Lower House. There was a major row in the Dáil yesterday because the debate on legislation was being guillotined, thereby preventing democratically elected Deputies from having an opportunity to have their voices heard. When we get into the real debate on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Case of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky: Motion (6 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I move: That the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade –- noting that the Russian lawyer, Mr. Sergei Magnitsky, died on 16 November 2009 at the age of 37, after being systematically denied medical care and beaten by riot guards with rubber batons in a Russian pre-trial detention centre, after he uncovered and exposed a major corruption scandal in Russia; and - noting the passage...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I concur with the concerns expressed by Senator Rónán Mullen. I am also concerned that the Sinn Féin Party decided to make a petition of concern. I spoke to its leader and other MLA members of Sinn Féin to avert it happening. The petition is a misuse of a good provision that was included in the agreements. The petition of concern was included in order that no community could find...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I encourage the Leader to arrange the debate. The cuts are a false economy. The cost of retaining people in their homes is a fraction of the cost of being taken into the care of the HSE. I appeal for the Minister to reverse his decisions. Savings are about options and choices but the choices being made by the Government are far from sensible.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: Today, and on other occasions, I have heard Senators refer to this country's reputation being restored. The clear inference is that in some way the economy has turned the corner. Unfortunately, many in Government believe that. It is a travesty because we are far from out of the current difficulties. Anyone who has been out canvassing will have got first-hand experience of the difficulties...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: When I was first elected to this House in 1997, I realised that I was only an imposter as Jim Walsh. During the count my family were manning the counting of the votes - I must have been away in the bar or somewhere else when I got to the stage I could relax at the count. When I came back I was told that a man was waiting to meet me urgently but had not left his name. When I came back a...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I join others in wishing Mr. Jimmy Walsh long life, health and happiness. Given how healthy and fit he is I have no doubt he will be among us for a long time to come and I wish him well in the future. I wish to raise one issue on the Order of Business, namely, political reform. We have concentrated in this House on Seanad reform, but we could usefully have a debate on political reform...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the fact that adequate time is being provided for debating what is a short but important Bill that is not without consequences or ramifications for people. In this House we are not always afforded the time to properly debate Bills but I acknowledge that we have in this instance, as I have been critical of the practice in the past. The Minister is welcome to the House. I feel...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: Anything I have said in this regard is a generality and not specific to a member of the Judiciary.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Jim Walsh: I am sure Members will be aware that in family law cases there are often complaints regarding a father's rights and how they are dealt with. I welcome a move that will make the process more transparent. Many people finding themselves before family law courts see that it can operate in the District Court system, with cases appended at the end of a long day of hearings on cases. There may...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Position of LGBTI People in Uganda: Discussion (17 Apr 2013)

Jim Walsh: I will give way to Deputy Dominic Hannigan who I understand has to attend another meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Position of LGBTI People in Uganda: Discussion (17 Apr 2013)

Jim Walsh: I also welcome Ms Nabagesera and the other members of the delegation. She has painted a challenging picture for us of what is happening to the homosexual and lesbian community in Uganda. I ask for clarity on some of the issues raised. The measures included in the Bill appear draconian. Two of the provisions were outlined in the briefing document we received from the Department, one of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Position of LGBTI People in Uganda: Discussion (17 Apr 2013)

Jim Walsh: Is it known how many have been sentenced with life imprisonment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Position of LGBTI People in Uganda: Discussion (17 Apr 2013)

Jim Walsh: Would it have been better if the statement had not been made at all?