Results 581-600 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: On the point made about the Bill being discussed more on Committee Stage than on Report Stage, I could not agree more with the Senator. However, blaming the Minister or his officials is not correct, it is misguided. It is a matter for each House to decide how the business is dealt with. I welcome what the Leader said, namely, that there is no guillotine on the Bill. It will be debated for as...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: Unlike Senator Cummins, who considers it a disgrace that this section is in the Bill, I welcome it.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: It is commendable that the section is in the Bill. I further welcome the Minister's acknowledgement that the roll-out was not as expeditious as everybody would have liked. That is recognised by him and the Secretary General. There is a need to roll it out and ensure that CCTV use is expanded, particularly in urban areas. It was interesting to note that, within the past couple of weeks, a...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage. (28 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I would not think they are needed in Montenotte.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: We will not call for a seconder until Senator Leyden has used up his 12 minutes.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: That is what I asked the Senator to do.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: Can the Senator repeat that for the Minister?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I was here last night when Senator Higgins made his contribution. I was taken aback but was unfamiliar with the context in which the allegation was made. When a charge is laid against the most senior policeman in the country, which has now been rebutted by the Minister here, the Senator must back up what he said or come to the House to withdraw the statement. If, in the absence of that, a...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: If my opinion of Senator Higgins is correct he will voluntarily come to the House and withdraw the statement if there is no foundation for it. If it has foundation then it should be clarified expeditiously. In view of the senior position the police officer holds it is a matter that should not be treated lightly. We have discussed many of the arguments for an individual ombudsman as against...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: That is correct.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I broadly support the thrust of this new chapter. Under section 35(1), a garda must account for any act done or omission made while on duty when directed to do so by an officer of higher rank. While I understand this may not cover informers, I am concerned because the Morris report addressed that area at considerable length. I am not sure that I agree with all the conclusions it made. In...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that the Minister be allowed finish his statement on group 7 of the amendments.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I welcome certain aspects of the amendments before us but the question of a review of the effectiveness of management, the deployment of resources and so on is a matter for the Commissioner. To refer back to the hearings we had on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, having read the Morris tribunal report it was a case of déjÀ vu. Many shortcomings were identified in the Barron report and by the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I am not convinced by the Opposition arguments in this regard. If there is malpractice or corruption in the Garda Síochána, it is not for the ombudsman commission to resolve it. That is an issue that should be resolved by the force. It is important, however, that a garda who reports suspicions should not subsequently incur sanctions. There is a kind of omerta or sense of identity in any...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: I know it is not right. It is important that there would be healthy and receptive acceptance of any suspicions people might have and that these should be investigated. However, there should be no subsequent recrimination. Matters should be conducted in a way that does not lead to that type of culture creeping into the Garda. The force must deal with the issue. If a garda passed on suspicions...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: The Morris tribunal has dealt quite thoroughly with the Donegal issue and it is not for me or Senator Cummins to reinvestigate it. The deficiencies there and the findings and recommendations of the report have led and instigated this change to provide a format within the force to deal with such issues, which is welcome. I listened to some of the debate in the Dáil and as far as I am aware,...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: It is not.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: This board is a key factor in the effective running of the Garda Síochána. If one promotes good people with the necessary skills to do the job, the factors that must be addressed will be overcome. The Morris tribunal highlights a litany of poor management. I was recounting to the Minister last night that my wife visited a friend recently. Her friend's husband spent his career in the Garda...