Results 601-620 of 9,148 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Courts (No. 2) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I may consider tabling an amendment on Report Stage to the effect that a summons cannot issue by electronic means if a fixed charge notice penalty has been paid already. That is something I was keen to notify the committee of. We may do it on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Courts (No. 2) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It seems a bit anachronistic that a summons against a garda must be signed by a judge when it is not the case with anyone else. Perhaps it is something we must look at and it must make it more difficult for a garda to summons another garda if, in order to do so, he or she is required to get the imprimatur and signature of a judge. We can take it up on Report Stage but perhaps the committee...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am sorry if I sound like a broken record but Deputy Jonathan O'Brien and I were in the Dáil last night and commented on the fact that it is unsatisfactory that we were coming in here, planning to deal with amendments to the Bail (Amendment) Bill having been given very short notice that we would have to deal with amendments to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act and the Criminal...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Up to now, apprehension and detention by the gardaí has been dealt with through the common law. The common law is a very vague animal and the public cannot really point to any section in an Act and state that is where the power comes from. It is beneficial, therefore, to have it on a statutory basis to protect the gardaí and the individuals concerned so that there is a legal basis...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It can take longer for certain individuals to sober up.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: One can be detained again.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am happy to go along with Deputy Daly's proposal although perhaps it requires further consideration. Section 6(1)(b) says: "the recognisance may be subject to such conditions as the court considers appropriate having regard to the circumstances of the case". The proposal is that we would change the word "appropriate" and put in the words "necessary and proportionate". I do not think...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I also will not be supporting the amendment for the following reasons. A person accused of sexual assault or rape can apply for and be granted bail. One of the conditions of bail set by a judge is that the person must stay away from the complainant in the sexual assault or rape case. If the individual who is accused then turns up near the house of or in the vicinity of the area in which...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The words "electronic monitoring" sound very negative, but we have to consider how such a provision is imposed. People are arrested and charged with serious offences. They then look to be released on bail. The likelihood is that they will not be granted bail and that they will be remanded in custody until such time as their trial is held. That is an option to be avoided, but they have to...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (5 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to provide a practical assessment of it. A bail list appears approximately twice a week in the High Court. Yesterday, the bail list in Cloverhill contained 22 applications. If we just limit it to the High Court, that is dealt with on Mondays. They are dealt with promptly and fairly and the judges have an understanding of what the law is, as do the practitioners. If there was...

Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2015 to provide for enhanced powers to be granted to the Policing Authority for the purpose of overseeing the performance of the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Síochána of its functions relating to policing services; to amend the provisions of the Acts relating to...

Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Colscaradh) 2016: An Dara Céim - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill 2016: Second Stage (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to share time with Deputies O'Loughlin and Brassil. I commend Deputy Madigan on introducing the Bill and I assure her of Fianna Fáil's support in respect of it. Obviously, divorce in Ireland has been a lengthy and contentious issue. Back in Brehon times divorce in Ireland was permitted on certain grounds. However, when we became a modern independent State it was not...

Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am conscious that every Thursday evening, hundreds of thousands of Irish people tune into Oireachtas TV to see who is responsible for Private Members' business on Thursday evening. Many people watching will be surprised to see that, once again, Deputy Wallace has legislation which is taking up Private Members' business on a Thursday evening.

Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Indeed. Regular viewers may ask, however, how it is that Deputy Wallace has Private Members' business once again on a Thursday evening. Is he a Deputy of remarkable industry? Does he have his own Department? As the Chair said, the reason for it is that he is a remarkably lucky man. What the hundreds of thousands of viewers at home may not realise is that Private Members' business is...

Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would suggest to Deputy Wallace that maybe he should play the lottery, but maybe hold off on the winnings for a year or so.

Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The issue Deputy Wallace has raised is interesting. The issue of limitation periods merits consideration and probably merits legislative intervention at some stage. It is important people understand what a limitation period is. In a way, a limitation period is a restriction on the rights of an individual or a company. It seeks to say that one may have a right in cause of action to sue...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (6 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 99. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Office of the State Pathologist in each year from 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [17445/17]

Reform of An Garda Síochána: Motion [Private Members] (11 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move:That Dáil Éireann: notes that:- members of An Garda Síochána play a hugely important role in Irish society and that public trust and confidence are crucial elements of effective policing; - there is an immediate need to reassure the public that urgent action will be taken to implement real reform, cultural change and oversight of the management of An Garda...

Reform of An Garda Síochána: Motion [Private Members] (11 Apr 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all Members of the House who contributed to the debate. I have listened closely to them. I will not address the areas where there is agreement but will refer to the two areas where I think there is disagreement with the motion. The Government said that passing this motion would constitute interference with the independence of the Policing Authority. With all due respect to the...