Results 4,721-4,740 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Moving on from the unsatisfactory genesis of this Bill, the Government has serious difficulties with the provisions of the Bill, as presented. The Bill goes beyond the requirements of the European framework decision on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings, which it purports to be transposing into Irish legislation. Ireland is already compliant with the framework decision, by...

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The framework decision identified a number of rights for victims as follows: the right of the individual to be treated with respect for his or her dignity; the right to provide and receive information; the right to understand and be understood; the right to be protected at various stages of the proceedings; and the right to have allowances made for the disadvantage of living in a different...

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In order to avoid any possibility of inappropriate statements the amended provisions will empower the court to prohibit the broadcasting or publication of all or part of such a statement.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy did not include any of the Hogan proposals. He is way behind. This proposal will implement one of the main recommendations of the Hogan report on balance in the criminal law regarding victim impact statements.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I spent the first weekend after my appointment as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform reading the Hogan report. I would strongly suggest to Members and those outside the House with an interest in the matter to read that report.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: We are proposing to put into law the Hogan report proposals on victims.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As I understand it, the provisions put forward by the Deputies, particularly under section 16(2) of their Bill, place no restrictions on the type of offences involved in the case where written evidence or submissions on the impact of the crime on the victim are to be heard in court. I am concerned that the obligation being placed on both the DPP and the Garda Síochána to prepare victim...

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Fine Gael claims there are too many of them and yet it is calling for another one. The bottom line is that from a victim's perspective it does not matter whether a commission is established on a statutory basis, as long as the service is delivered. In putting these structures in place, I am honouring the commitment given in the programme for Government. The strengthening of the...

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is on the other side of the world. It is a different jurisdiction. I regard my role as a legislator as a solemn role given to me by the people. This is not a classroom where Members cog homework.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: This is a sovereign Parliament where we determine our own legislation. We do not cog it from other jurisdictions as Fine Gael has done.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is lazy legislation.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is lazy legislation, which is out of date already according to the those in New Zealand.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should read the Hogan report. They are not half-baked.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I did hear it and the proposals are not half-baked.

Victims' Rights Bill 2008: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: They are not half-baked.

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the House for agreeing to deal with the Intoxicating Liquor Bill as an urgent matter and I look forward to the co-operation of both Houses in having the legislation enacted before the summer recess. There is broad recognition in this House and beyond that legislative reforms are needed to tackle public disorder and alcohol-related...

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following separate discussions last week with the Garda Commissioner and the vintner organisations, I am disposed to allowing premises already availing of such orders to continue to apply for them in the normal way. However, no general exemption order shall be granted in respect of premises unless a general exemption order was in force in respect of the premises on 30 May 2008, that is, the...

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is a reprieve. I also intend to table an amendment on Committee Stage which will mean that off-sales of alcohol will not in future be permitted during periods covered by general exemption orders, from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. in those early houses. Section 13 provides for the introduction of test purchasing of alcohol products in the new section 37C to be inserted in the Intoxicating...

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Jun 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Not at all.