Results 421-440 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2004)

Jim Walsh: Senator Feeney was in possession and has seven minutes remaining.

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Nov 2004)

Jim Walsh: I ask that the debate be conducted through the Chair.

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Nov 2004)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Minister of State to make a note of the questions because other Senators are offering.

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Motion for Earlier Signature. (25 Nov 2004)

Jim Walsh: When it is proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 1999: Committee Stage. (30 Nov 2004)

Jim Walsh: I am mindful in section 16B of the proposed new section which deals with the corrupt enrichment order, because we debated this matter at the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Right. I advocated that the evidential barrier to criminal activity may well be too high and should probably be reviewed when one sees criminals who are known to the community and the Garda...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 1999: Committee Stage. (30 Nov 2004)

Jim Walsh: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach leis an Bhille Náisiúntachta agus Saoránachta Éireann a phlé, Bille tábhachtach. As Senator Cummins observed, the people have spoken. In many respects, today's discussion is a reflection of the debate that took place in the House, prior to the referendum, on the draft legislation. The purpose of the Bill is to prevent the abuse of the jus...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Brady for sharing his time. This is a good budget which has been acknowledged by commentators on the national airwaves who usually would not be that sympathetic to the Government. I am glad it reflected the republican ethos of our party. That has been illustrated by the redistributive aspects in that the tax bands have been widened and, as other Senators have acknowledged,...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: The Minister has distinguished between, on the one hand, the modus operandi of the Garda and, on the other, the fact that human rights in their entirety are not a matter for the Garda to police. I often get the impression during discussions on human rights that people have in mind criminals in the custody of the Garda. I am much more persuaded by the human rights of the victims of those in...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: As the Minister said, we have become a very litigious society. In that regard, any loopholes identified will be exploited. Senator Brian Hayes and others have spoken of innocent victims who get caught up in situations which give rise to their seeking recompense for damages. However, existing legislation provides them with such rights. The more we inhibit the Garda Síochána the greater will...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Following on from the amendments tabled by Senator Tuffy and the Minister's undertaking to examine them prior to Report Stage, a related issue is when the Director of Public Prosecutions decides not to take a case, based on the file submitted. Under the current system, the director is not obliged to give an explanation as to why this happens. In some cases this has led to frustration within...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator Tuffy. As my earlier comments indicated, I am very much in favour of providing greater empowerment to the Garda and of the reasonable removal of some of the inhibitions which may constitute obstacles to its effectiveness. If such provisions were made, there would be a concurrent need to provide for strong accountability. I am persuaded to a greater extent by the amendment...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Many members of the PSNI would probably make good gardaí but we should be mindful of our recent history. Members of the security forces in Northern Ireland, including the PSNI, engaged in activities that were outside the law and involved loyalist paramilitaries. The Minister must take account of this issue in establishing the new structures. I have alluded to this issue in the past. The...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I have some sympathy for the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes. Whether this is the mechanism to achieve his proposal, it is important that all social strata are represented within the Garda Síochána. This enhances the activity and acceptability of the force, which is important. There may be a better way of achieving this aim without referring specifically to RAPID, under which...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Community acceptance is important to functioning effectively. Perhaps the Garda community liaison officer system, which does much valuable work, could be a mechanism for targeting and encouraging young people in such areas to become involved. While I am unsure that this should become part of the Bill, it is desirable as a modus operandi. The second point I wish to make may be a little...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I am not sure I would go along with Senator Cummins in dismissing this idea. I see certain merit in it. If one looks at the analogy which the Minister has made with Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, one will find that people got a training there which gave them an understanding of the Army and they got discipline which stood to them in other aspects of their lives. Many regarded it as good training...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: No, it was not speed, it was distance.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: When I travel to Dublin on the N11, the most likely place for me to see gardaí is on the Kilmacanogue bypass where the speed limit on the dual carriageway is 40 mph. This brings the whole system and the speed limits into disrepute. The use of a volunteer force would allow for greater visibility. It is counter-productive to see gardaí hiding behind corners at the roadside. The police are...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: While other Members focused on the reference to God in the preamble to the declaration, I have some difficulty as an advocate for human rights with its third part. A member of the force will be obliged to declare that he or she will not form, belong or subscribe to any political party. I am not quite as concerned about the reference to "secret society". As an extension of their civic...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Senator Tuffy is reasonable and is a Member of the highest probity.