Results 701-720 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

Jim Walsh: That is the climate we wish to create. We are all aware of places where speed limits, particularly of 60 km/h, have been put in specifically to assist the granting of planning permissions. That matter should be considered. Unless we get the public's respect, legislation and regulations brought in are unlikely to be adhered to. We receive many reports but a very good document was received...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: I want to congratulate the gardaí on the restraint they showed. We can be proud as a State that they showed such restraint in what was an extremely dangerous situation for them. Unfortunately, the opportunity to embrace the moment for all peoples on this island to be able to protest peacefully was lost. The propaganda advantage was given to those who probably have equally extreme views, on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: It would be timely to do so as the debate on the Bill is coming to a fairly critical stage. As many Senators have said on a number of occasions, many Irish people are seriously disadvantaged by the current US immigration policy. If an all-party motion were to come before the House the Leader could bring it to the attention of people in the appropriate place in the US in order for us to lend...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach leis an Bhille seo a phlé. Molaim an tAire as ucht scríbhinne as Gaeilge a léamh ar maidin. Tá dualgas againn mar Bhaill Oireachtais iarracht a dhéanamh an teanga a chur chun cinn agus úsáid a bhaint as an méid atá againn. Bille tábhachtach é seo, Bille teicniúil le héifeacht a thabhairt do seacht n-ionstraim idirnáisiúnta atá ann...

Seanad: Public Order Offences: Statements. (2 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: I would like to join with all those who condemned the unfortunate events that arose in O'Connell Street on Saturday. It brought shame to those involved and did nothing for the image of this part of the island where there was potential to do good, which I regret. In regard to the march itself, I know from my contacts with people in Northern Ireland that people on both sides of the divide have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: In view of the comments that have been made about the current crime situation, I seek a debate on the criminal justice system. I do not fully subscribe to the suggestion that more legislation is required, although specific Bills might be desirable. In general, however, there is sufficient legislation in place to bring many of these people to justice. It is interesting, with regard to the case...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: I wish to repeat a call I made in December for a debate on the tribunals. Such a debate should, if possible, involve a progress report from each of the tribunals setting out the modules completed, modules in progress and, in particular, modules still outstanding. I am seeking this debate for two reasons. First, the timespan of eight or nine years in which people have found themselves before...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: That is what the Senator said. Senator Bannon was not listening.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an Seanadóir Leyden.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire chuig an Teach chun an Bille tábhachtach seo a phlé. I compliment the Minister on this major legislation which will have significant benefit. The issue has needed to be addressed for some time and the Minister has been innovative in tackling it, particularly through the arrangement for the President of the High Court to ensure there will be designated judges in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: They surely need to be attacked. That is the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: I support the call for a debate on the Garda Síochána. I welcome the report, which clarified the position of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It indicated that the rainbow coalition Government reduced the number of gardaí from 10,900 to 10,700 during its term of office. Under the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government, the number of gardaí has increased by 1,700...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: It is going in the right direction. The other proposals for a reserve force and so on will help to meet the challenges gardaí face each day. We should welcome the proposal rather than try to denigrate it. I join Senator Quinn in calling for the House to have its voice heard in regard to the individual who may be executed in Afghanistan for changing his religion from Islam to Christianity. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: Some people like to be selective when they criticise terrorists.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: It behoves people like Senator Norris to be consistent in their arguments.

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: I have misgivings about this line of argument. The introduction of the disregard for earnings of up to €10,000 was a good incentive for people to undertake child minding activities. Disregarding these earnings for social welfare benefits will create an anomaly in that the earnings of other people on low salaries are taken into account when their social welfare benefits are determined and...

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: I was impressed by Senator Terry's comments. The manner in which she put forward the amendment struck a chord and made a lot of sense. Child poverty involves much more than the monetary amount coming into a household. There is a range of other issues, not least where a child comes from a family where education is not a priority and is often viewed with derision, putting him or her at a huge...

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: Could the Minister go over those figures again?

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: The Minister's statement warrants comment. The manner in which he spelled out the situation was informative but it could be circulated with other examples. As Senator Terry said, the Minister should be commended. There have been significant and focused improvements in social welfare, particularly in recent years. The Minister has taken a keen interest in the matter and impressed everyone by...

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: One of the most important statistics provided by the Minister was that 25% of lone parents did not progress beyond primary education. This brings into focus the need to keep students at school until they have completed the process, an issue which is related to the poverty traps to which we referred. Initiatives are being taken in this regard but we need to keep an emphasis on the issue. Many...