Results 3,401-3,420 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for coming in and giving us very detailed submissions that we will find very helpful. I acknowledge the role that solicitors, barristers, FLAC and the Legal Aid Board play in facilitating people to gain access to justice in this country. At this time, almost 11 a.m., throughout this country in District Courts, Circuit Courts and High Courts, people find themselves...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I beg Mr. O hUallacháin's pardon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Murphy want to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: What the witnesses are both saying is that the failure to adequately fund the criminal legal aid system will have an impact on access to justice for individuals. Forget about lawyers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: On the other side - I know there is no one here from the DPP's office - but is anyone aware of whether funding of the DPP's office is preventing the prosecution of offences? That obviously is an issue that would be important for victims of crime. Maybe it is something we have to pick up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Okay. Is anyone aware of whether the DPP's office is deciding not to prosecute offences because of a concern about costs? That would affect a victim's access to justice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Can we now move to the area of civil law? Obviously, the State does not have as much involvement in the whole area of civil law, because it does not fund it the same way as the State funds the prosecution of all criminal offences and it funds to a large extent the defence of criminal cases. In civil cases, it is different, although the State plays a big part in civil litigation. I do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would have thought a major barrier to access to justice, before one even gets to speak to a lawyer, is just trying to have knowledge or awareness that a law may have been breached.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I do not know what level of awareness Mr. McDaid, Mr. O'Leary or Ms Ryan believe there is of the availability of civil legal aid among the public in general. Are most people who come to the Legal Aid Board well informed, having met solicitors first?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The following comment is directed at Ms O'Boyle and Mr. Murphy. The vast majority of people who gain access to the justice system do so through going to solicitors who are prepared to evaluate whether they have a claim, and that if they do and the solicitors believe in it, they take the claim on the basis of a no foal, no fee arrangement. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The following question is directed at Mr. Dignam. When a client goes to a solicitors' firm, the solicitor takes the case on a no foal, no fee basis. Can a financially weak litigant get access to a good barrister to present his or her case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (27 Nov 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: My assessment of the matter is that the public is entitled to an efficient justice system that provides them with prompt access to that system and gives them a fair hearing and a reasoned decision that is not too costly. People recognise that if there are lawyers representing people in court, they will be paid. However, we need to look at making the system more efficient. There is too much...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (3 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 259. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the community sponsorship initiative that resettles refugees; the steps he has taken to promote and to draw the attention of communities aware to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49784/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (3 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 260. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community groups that have accessed the community sponsorship initiative; the supports in place for communities availing of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49785/19]

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: We must be conscious of what we are debating. The purpose is to add an extra provision into subsection (5) of the new section 9A. It states, "In considering an application under this section, the superintendent of the Garda Síochána shall have regard to the following". The Minister of State is proposing to insert a provision that the superintendent of the Garda Síochána...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Viewers watching this debate may think that bingo players live exclusively in rural Ireland. That is not the case. There are very many bingo players in my constituency of Dublin Bay South. Women from Pearse Street play bingo in St. Andrew's Resource Centre at least once a week and they derive great enjoyment from it. If I can level some degree of criticism at the Minister of State, the...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Hear, hear.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: How much? Does Deputy Naughten have a licence?

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Correct.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Oh God.