Results 741-760 of 1,746 for speaker:Barry Ward

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Engagement with An Taoiseach (22 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: The Taoiseach is very welcome. I am Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Justice. That committee's major focus has been on crime and policing. Cybercrime is one of the matters we looked at, especially spyware scams and things of that nature, which have become increasingly prevalent. We are also looking at technological solutions to improve the operation of the Courts Service and the...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move: "That Seanad Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2023 and ending on 29th June, 2024."

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit agus mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis agus leis an tAire Dlí agus Cirt as an tuairisc sin a chur ar fáil dúinn roimh an díospóireacht seo. I will not say I have read the report, but I have had a brief look at it. I agree with what Senator McDowell says, that it is enormous,...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: But is that not the point? The Constitution allows it to apply to any offence, but the legislation limits it to scheduled offences.

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (27 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: This is the point I was going to get to. I accept that point, but it does not mean that scheduling offences is necessarily a problem. What I do think is a problem, as I have said in every one of these debates in the years I have been in this Chamber, is that the decision-making process, whereby cases are nominated to go to the Special Criminal Court, is problematic because the sole decision...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister for accepting my amendments. I appreciate that they are not of enormous gravity. On that basis, however, I am not inclined to push amendment No. 19. I accept what the Minister said and I am not sure very much turns on it in any event.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Repeal of section 4 of Offences against the Person Act 1861 3. Section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 is hereby repealed. I am looking forward to the same spirit of co-operation from the Minister with regard to this amendment. Essentially, what this amendment does with regard...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: Conspiracy to murder 4.(1) A person who conspires, or otherwise agrees, whether in the State or elsewhere, with one or more persons, to murder, is guilty of an offence irrespective of whether a murder actually takes place or not. (2) Subsection (1)applies to a conspiracy committed outside the State...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 13: In page 20, line 9, to delete “a”.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 14: In page 20, to delete lines 13 and 14 and substitute the following: “(2) An application under subsection (1)may be made ex parteor on notice to the respondent concerned.”. These amendments relate to section 27, which creates a power for orders to be made. These amendments relate specifically to the mechanics of making those orders. In section...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: Is the Minister suggesting that my amendment is imperfect?

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I appreciate very much what the Minister has said. I also appreciate that action will be taken. On that basis, I am happy to withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 16: In page 20, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following: "(3) The court, on application to it under subsection (1)for an order under this section, may, where it is of the opinion that it is necessary and proportionate to do so, require that the application be made inter partesor on notice to the respondent concerned.".

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 18: In page 20, line 23, to delete "the applicant, or where relevant, a person" and substitute "the applicant or, where relevant, a person"

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 19: In page 21, line 3, after "to" where it secondly occurs to insert "both".

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: This is an important section and it is worth marking its passage. No amendment to it has been tabled but it is a very important measure that the Minister has put into the Bill. It is with regard to creating an environment where witnesses feel they can come forward and that when they do they will avail of the protection of the court system, never mind the State and whatever prosecutorial...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: It is worth noting as well that this is an important new provision this legislation will provide. As somebody who practices in the criminal courts, it is important to remember that the value of cross-examination cannot be underestimated. It is incredibly important for those accused of crimes to have the right to face their accuser and essentially test the evidence their accuser is giving....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 21: In page 30, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Power for Minister to amend the Judges’ Rules by regulation 50.(1) The Minister may, where he or she feels it is in the interests of justice and efficiency, make regulations under this section, to amend Rule 9 of the Judges’ Rules to allow for the taking of statements from a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 22: In page 30, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Amendments to Firearms Acts 1925 to 2006 50. The Firearms Acts 1925 to 2006 are amended— (a) by the repeal of subsections (12), (13) and (14) of section 12A of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (as inserted by section 65 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and subsequently...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2023)

Barry Ward: I will move and withdraw my amendments.