Results 4,961-4,980 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: We are in tune with the Irish people when we defend the Irish Aid programme. When the US President, Mr. Obama, was here, he said we are very much known for what we do through our development programmes, which are supported on all sides of the House. I am planning to go to Africa, namely Malawi and Mozambique.

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been engaging with the United States with regard to various international issues. We certainly intend to be strong in our work on this matter. I acknowledge all previous Governments have played a very strong role in regard to aid. Ireland's record is really excellent and its aid programme has been assessed as being the fifth most effective in the world.

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: There will be some members of the press travelling with us and we intend to get the message to the people of Ireland. I acknowledge strongly the support of Members throughout the House on these issues. I agree the aid programme will constitute a key part of Ireland's regaining its international reputation.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The practice of female genital mutilation is a clear violation of the human rights of women and girls. It also infringes on children's rights to special protection. The World Health Organisation estimates that between 100 million and 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of female genital mutilation. In Africa alone, it is estimated that three...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 25, 26 and 50 together. This year marks thirty years of the global AIDS epidemic. Addressing HIV and AIDS, which has destroyed the lives of millions of men, women and children, is of fundamental importance to the reduction of global poverty. AIDS remains a leading cause of death in many developing countries. Over 22 million people in sub Saharan Africa...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government attaches great importance to the continuing development of Ireland's relations with Africa as a whole, and with individual African countries. My Department manages a significant development cooperation programme, Irish Aid, which is strongly focused on sub-Saharan Africa. Our broader relations with Africa are managed through our Embassy network across that continent, as well...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (2 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 51 together. The Government's aid programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, is sharply focused on efforts to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger. In its most recent peer review of the programme, in 2009, the OECD stated that Irish Aid's concentration in a limited number of poor African countries is one of...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am very pleased to be back in the Seanad after several years. The principal purpose of this Bill is to make further provision in domestic law for the State's obligations under the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, BTWC, as well as relevant elements of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 of 2004. The Geneva Protocol, to which Ireland acceded in 1930,...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senators who participated in the debate for their support for the Bill. As Senator Jim Walsh said, it was drafted during the term of office of the previous Government and supported by the then Opposition. I very much welcome the fact there is again cross-party support for the legislation. There is no evidence to suggest there is terrorist activity of this kind, but it is...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is a technical amendment. The titles and functions of several Ministers and their Departments have been changed recently by statutory instrument. These amendments are designed to adjust the provisions of the Bill to reflect the new official titles of the two Ministers concerned, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Justice and Equality. I hope Senators will...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand the Senator's concern. Under this section, it is only on summary conviction that the class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months would be imposed, whereas there is a more serious penalty for conviction on indictment. Almost certainly, if somebody was directly and knowingly involved in these crimes, it would be an indictable offence. The intention of...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: -----pointed out yesterday that it was most likely to be an indictable offence if somebody was convicted under this legislation. As with much other legislation, there is provision for a lesser, non-indictable offence. That is the thinking behind the two levels of conviction. Certainly, it is not the intention to be in any way lenient with a person who is found to be knowingly culpable under...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The reason for the first alternative is to give discretion. For example, if someone worked in a laboratory and had some connection with some material that was subsequently transported or used under the Act, the judge would be able to impose a lesser sentence or fine even if the person was in some way connected. This provision gives the judge discretion. Section 8 contains a presumption...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: Perhaps that explains it better. When it is related to section 8, one gets a better understanding of the intention.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: In another jurisdiction.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are principles that apply with regard to double jeopardy. I am not sure of the legislation to which Senator Walsh refers but it may apply to specific circumstances. My understanding is that double jeopardy applies generally in international law. Does Senator Walsh have information on the specific legislation to which he refers?

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: My officials advise me that the Attorney General's advice was sought and the advice was that this clause should be included in the legislation. We can provide Senator Walsh with some engagement on the specific reasons.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The double jeopardy rule generally applies and the gangland crime legislation was an exception. There are specific reasons gangland crime is an exception. I understand the concern of Senator Walsh. The advice of the Attorney General is generally not published but there may be a way of conveying to Senator Walsh the reasons behind the advice. I do not have the advice in the Chamber.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: Senator Walsh makes his case very well. We do not have a drafted amendment to the Bill so there is nothing we can do specifically on this point but I will find out the reasons and I will communicate directly with Senator Walsh.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Senators for their contributions. As always, this House has a very good reputation for engaging very productively in legislation. This is an example of Ireland subscribing to international obligations and showing leadership in the area.