Results 3,041-3,060 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Parole Bill 2016: Fifth Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister is beginning to sound like the Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran.

Parole Bill 2016: Fifth Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to emulate other Members. I welcome the passage of the Parole Bill. It is important legislation and it will be of benefit to the criminal justice system. It will be of particular assistance to the victims of crime who now will know when persons who perpetrated crimes will be eligible for and be able to apply for parole. The victims of crime will now also be able to make submissions...

Parole Bill 2016: Fifth Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister should not get carried away.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Judicial Council Bill has been about 20 years coming. The origins of this Bill can be traced back to a report prepared by a working group on a courts commission established in 1999. It was asked to report to the then Chief Justice, Liam Hamilton, on the question of judicial conduct and ethics. One of its recommendations was the establishment of a judicial council to promote efficiency...

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is a good point.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 1:In page 12, line 24, to delete "12 months" and substitute "6 months". This is to reduce the period of 12 months to six months. It is just for the council to adopt and publish guidelines concerning judicial conduct and ethics or revisions of those guidelines once received by it.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Then I should also deal with section 17, in respect of which I have a similar amendment. It is to change the period of six months to three months. Section 17 deals specifically with the judicial studies committee. My third amendment relates to section 18, which points to the reason for my tabling these amendments. The amendment to section 18 is to deal with the personal injuries...

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will not press amendment No. 1 in light of what the Minister said, particularly as it concerns the judicial conduct and ethics committee. The Minister is accepting amendments Nos. 2 and 3. I will press amendment No. 4, however, when we reach section 18.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 2:In page 12, line 24, to delete “12 months” and substitute “6 months”.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 3:In page 21, line 11, to delete “6 months” and substitute “3 months”.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 4:In page 21, line 21, to delete “12 months” and substitute “6 months”.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree that the sentiment expressed by Deputy Ó Laoghaire should be provided for in the Bill. I think such provision is already within the Bill and that he can rest assured that the process will take into account the concerns of the victims of crime.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to clarify this point. My understanding of section 87(7) is that it provides that the name of the judge concerned and the reprimand would be included in a report under the section unless the committee "considers that in order to safeguard the administration of justice that information should not be included in the report". We are removing that provision. Will the Minister clarify...

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I see the purpose of the amendments now. Subsection (7) is to be deleted as it is unnecessary, because it is provided for in subsection (6). We are going to amend subsection (6) by including a reference to section 79(2)(b), so I see the logic of it in light of what the Minister has said. I will support the amendments.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the passing of this Bill through the Dáil today. As the Minister said, this has been 20 years in gestation. It is a sign of the efficiency of this Chamber that we managed to pass it in only one hour and 55 minutes. This legislation will benefit both the public and the Judiciary, and it is a sign that we, as an Oireachtas, are prepared to recognise the need to invest more...

Report on the Wards of Court: Motion (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Many people contact the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality asking the committee to conduct investigations into legitimate grievances they have, either as individuals or as organisations. Unfortunately, the committee does not have the capacity to conduct investigations into everything. By necessity, we must be selective about the issues in respect of which we decide to have public...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: From the Seanad (10 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I support this amendment. In fact, on an earlier Stage, Fianna Fáil tabled an amendment seeking to raise the retirement age to 72. My colleague, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, was enthusiastic about this proposed amendment so I am pleased it was enacted in the Seanad and Fianna Fáil will support it here.

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: From the Seanad (10 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I support this amendment. The role of the Dublin coroner is, unfortunately, a very busy one. It is appropriate that we have this statutory provision in place so that a deputy coroner can carry out some of the tasks on behalf of the coroner. The Minister referred to the issue of coronial law and the Coroner's Court is a court of great antiquity but it is an area that needs to be better...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: From the Seanad (10 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will be supporting the amendments. On some occasions when an inquest takes place before a coroner, a member of An Garda Síochána will apply for an adjournment because there will be an ongoing criminal investigation. At that stage, the objective is to ensure that the criminal investigation is given priority and is not interfered with. There is a concern that if an inquest goes...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2018: From the Seanad (10 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Historically the function of the coroner has been very specific, but is being expanded more recently. Attempts are being made to expand it more. Recently, there was an inquest in the United Kingdom which was very much about trying to apportion responsibility for a heinous crime. I am not saying that will happen with the Coroner's Court in Ireland but we must be aware of attempts to expand...