Results 3,401-3,420 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Tánaiste has proved the point. That is my problem with him.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: There is a time limit on the debate so I do not propose to delay the House on this issue. Whether it is a pay limitation or a halfway house towards an independent police authority is not relevant at this stage. In the absence of a police authority, I support it.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Yes. With regard to its composition and who can be a non-executive member, all such legislation appears to carry a standard provision, inserted by the bureaucracy, providing for the exclusion of Members of the Oireachtas from being considered for membership of boards. I object to that. It is not that I have an interest in being a member but I believe there are certain circumstances where...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: We will find a way of achieving it.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: If that is the major issue, we will find a solution to it.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The fact we are amending the Garda Síochána Act 2005 at this stage highlights the point we constantly make that these issues were not fully dealt with at the time the Bill——

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The final stages were rushed. Having said that, the change proposed makes much sense and the particular example quoted by the Minister highlights the need for power being there to inquire into issues like that insurance case. I have no idea if there is any substance to the report. In fact, it has been heavily denied. However, if there is a scintilla of evidence to support the point raised...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: There is a third issue that should be investigated. This is the allegation that certain arrangements were made whereby solicitors were engaging in practices not principally to the benefit of their clients but for their own gain. As a non-practising solicitor, this is an allegation I take seriously. What will be the fallout from these three issues? Moreover, there is a fourth issue in that...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Nor do we want fraudulent or unethical shortcuts.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Criminal Justice Bill 2007 is trumpeted by the Minister as his answer to gangland crime. It is extraordinary that in the middle of it are proposals to further criminalise those involved in the fishing industry. They resent the juxtaposition that arises from their being associated with gangland crime and they have a point. The notion of equating the committing of an offence by a person...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Like Macbeth, the Minister has seen a dagger before our eyes, but fishermen genuinely think the dagger is being wielded by the Government. Whatever the Tánaiste may say, associating fishermen with gangland criminals in the Bill is not the right way to regulate the fisheries sector. The main points on that issue have been made eloquently by my colleagues, but the Tánaiste might consider a...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I wanted to come to that on Report Stage. Are we on Report Stage?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: What do you expect us to do at this stage?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Before the Chair puts the question, we are only on section 42.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: No.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I reject that suggestion. There is no question of that; every point made here was reasonable and constructive.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: As the person in possession, I wish to say that we are on section 42 of a Bill with 55 sections. We have not had the opportunity to consider those sections and there are another 30 or 40 amendments that we have not had the opportunity to consider, some of which are serious. Is the Minister going to push on and ensure that Committee Stage now ends, having had a constructive and positive...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I want good legislation. If the Minister wants to push this through without debate it is on his head.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I strongly object to the fact that we have not had a chance to finish the Bill, but for technical reasons I will not oppose this.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 70: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department's plans to improve the design of new apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13418/07]