Results 301-320 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person who, due to having British grandparents, has been issued with an ancestry visa, which entitles them to reside and work in the UK is, as a consequence also entitled to live and work here without further formalities, permission or a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5371/05]

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if concerns have been expressed to him on the inflationary effect on the cost of land acquisition which the purchase by the State of lands at Thorntown, County Dublin has had or is likely to have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5395/05]

Written Answers — Children Act: Children Act (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 316: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the exact sections and provisions of the Children Act 2001 that have not commenced; if he will give a proposed date for their commencement. [5921/05]

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 317: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money which has been expended in refurbishing the Mountjoy Prison complex in the past ten years. [5922/05]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 324: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department proposes to establish a special needs class for Down's syndrome children at a location (details supplied). [5633/05]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 338: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the classroom circumstances of Gaeltacht primary schools, she will concede the same appointment thresholds for additional teachers as apply in Gaelscoileanna; and if the appointment of an additional teacher will be sanctioned at a Gaeltacht school (details supplied) in County Cork for September 2005. [5865/05]

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: There are some basic principles that must be considered in examining these amendments. First, in an ideal society, the normal rule of law should apply, namely, the process of trial by jury. This should be our objective. Unfortunately, however, we do not live in an ideal society but must contend with subversive elements and those who do not accept the rule of law within the State. In this...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: If we are to have a second Special Criminal Court, it makes sense to have practical arrangements applying in regard to the transfer of cases between the two courts. It is important that the necessary safeguards are included and I am glad they are. Whatever decisions ultimately emerge in regard to the listing of cases in the courts will be open to the possibility of the accused being heard and...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: What is the thinking behind the proposal that the decision of the Special Criminal Court to transfer a trial is final and unappealable? When dealing with the administration of justice, one feels that any decision of a court in normal circumstances should be capable of being appealed and decided by another court. Why has such a decision been made final and unappealable?

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: It would be in everybody's interest if a Europe-wide system were adopted as soon as possible because, as the Minister stated, communications systems are generally international. Such a system has not yet been put in place and, therefore, I appreciate the need to deal with the current set of circumstances. I accept the need for these amendments and the only issues about which I want to raise...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The safeguards referred to by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform include the appointment of a High Court judge. There is a precedent for this and I have confidence in such a process. However, while not part of the Mullingar accord, I support Deputy Costello's proposal that a report to Parliament will give more confidence in the safeguard system. The section provides for a...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I am relieved to learn that the existing provisions cover a report to Parliament. That matter has not been brought to our attention recently. Does the Minister know when the last such report was laid before the Houses? Must the Taoiseach, under his power to exclude matters, point out that he is excluding certain aspects of the report and the reason therefor?

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I sympathise with the principle of this amendment but the Minister should provide further clarification. How fair is it to place the onus of proof on the individual? What constitutes a substantive issue of sufficient materiality, weight and force? How high is the barrier for the individual? If one felt one had a genuine case to make, what sort of hoops would one have to go through and what...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Would there be a right of appeal from an adverse decision?

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: What is the Minister providing now that was not provided previously? Are we solely dealing with the issue of the dates of dual criminality?

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I take the Minister's point that it is wise to have clarity on the issue. Is there a danger that if we relate the date to the issue of the warrant, we may co-operate in a situation where someone is being extradited to deal with an issue which was only criminalised subsequent to the date of the commission of the act?

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister referred to murder, which is regarded a major crime in every civilised state. If new legislation were introduced to deal with sex tourism or trafficking, I would be concerned about the possibility of breaching the retrospective principle. While I would regard such activities as heinous, in many countries the necessary legislation may not have been enacted until relatively...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is a technical amendment.

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Is this the nexus or meeting point between our adversarial system of law and the inquisitorial system of criminal law on the Continent? Arising from this amendment, are we trying to confront the situation whereby somebody is brought before a magistrate to inquire into that person's possible involvement in a crime? In that context, are we presuming that a decision has been made to charge when,...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: If after a Munster game in Biarritz there was too much celebration and, as a result, a person was wanted in accord with the system in France, it would be normal for that person to come before the examining magistrate. The presumption will apply under the amendment. The person who is wanted could go to the High Court and say that the French want him because they want to bring him before an...