Results 661-680 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Jim Walsh: We had a debate on that here and many Members had different views from those of Senator Norris.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I join other Senators in calling for a debate on the Competition Authority. The fact that a programme such as "Prime Time" can, through investigative journalism, secure documents which show collusion on anti-competitive practices and the Competition Authority, which has statutory powers, is unable to do so raises serious questions about the body. This relates not just to the motor industry...

Seanad: Transfer of Execution of Sentences Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (6 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I join with other Senators in complimenting the Minister. We went through the Bill thoroughly in the past and the amendments that have been made are sensible. While I am sure that judicial discretion will deal with it, I have one slight reservation in that we are probably dealing with people who have absconded from serving sentences in the past. While every effort must be made to rehabilitate...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: There has been quite a discussion about trains this morning. I wish to raise a variation, that is, runaway trains. Will the Leader arrange for a debate early in the next session so Members can get an update on the progress of the various tribunals? I am prompted to ask for this debate by the reports today and the interview conducted yesterday with Deputy Lowry. He was eminently reasonable in...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: Like the other speakers I welcome the budget. It is remarkable that we have a budget based on income generated from economic growth rather than increased taxation or excise duty. I am not sure if it is unique but it has not happened very often. The economic growth we have experienced — last year it was 4.6% and the projections for the next few years are 4.8% and 5% — is impressive. One of...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: If nothing can be done on the percentage amount, action should be taken on thresholds. This relates in particular to first-time buyers of property or even people moving up in the property market. This is a significant add-on to the already high price of property, although it is generating revenue. I agree with the thrust of economic policy in that we should have low income taxes, which we...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: Public sector wages need to be tightly controlled. If benchmarking is to recur, it should be related specifically to quantifiable productivity. There should also be some type of programme for the eradication of waste in general public expenditure. To echo everybody else who has spoken, I welcome the significant increases for all people in receipt of social welfare, particularly old-age...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Child Sexual Abuse) Order 2005: Motion. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I move: That Seanad Éireann, —bearing in mind the significant public concern about the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin; —noting the informal Government decision of 22 October 2002 that the matter required further consideration and reflection, in particular on the part of the...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Child Sexual Abuse) Order 2005: Motion. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I rehearsed my position when I formally moved this motion and the Minister, whom I welcome to the House, provided the background to the matter in terms of the serious allegations made by the "Prime Time" reports in 2002 about sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese. Shortly afterwards, the Minister made a commitment that an investigation would be held into these matters and he has now...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I would also like to welcome the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005. The Minister has reminded the House that the coroners review group has produced 110 recommendations, which are being examined by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This legislation has been produced with haste to meet the needs of the Nowlan family and other families which have found themselves in similarly...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: ——and one hopes it is absolutely reliable when letters are registered. The provision in question is a good one because there can be difficulties in serving summonses by hand. For example, witnesses have to be sought out individually. It is necessary and sensible to provide that coroners can examine witnesses under oath. I wonder why such a provision has not always been part of the...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I will not say it is unique but it is not always the usual role that is adopted by Ministers of all political persuasions. I wish the Minister and his family a happy and holy Christmas as this is the last opportunity I will have to do so at this side of Christmas.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I support much of what Senator Browne has said on this section. During the recent tragedy we had in Wexford, when people were lost off the south coast, members of one of the families, as they waited each day in Kilmore for news of their lost brother, told me that their father had taken ill because of the trauma and ended up in Waterford Regional Hospital, where he was suffering from MRSA....

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (15 Dec 2005)

Jim Walsh: I concur with the sentiments expressed by Senator Cummins. I pay tribute to Deputy Rabbitte for his initiative and to the Minister and his staff for accommodating and facilitating the passage of the Bill so quickly. Hopefully it will be of some small comfort to the Nowlan family. There will also be other beneficiaries of the changes in legislation and we look forward to the more comprehensive...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jan 2006)

Jim Walsh: While there is probably merit in the call for a debate with regard to the appointment of the Garda ombudsman, it should be acknowledged that the generality of the issue has been discussed on many occasions. Vodafone and O2 recently published their annual reports. They showed quite a profitable operation which underlines the fact that there is a close cartel in place. The consumer is not...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Jim Walsh: Senator Ross, without interruption.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Jim Walsh: The Senator's time has concluded.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Jim Walsh: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Jim Walsh: As no one else is offering, I call on the Minister of State to conclude.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Jim Walsh: When is it proposed to sit again?