Results 981-1,000 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I wish to refer to the comments of the Leader of the Opposition regarding the Garda inspectorate. In the past five years, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been responsible for introducing legislation that has transformed matters relating to the Garda, prisons and other matters that come under his remit. The inspectorate, which has a great deal of input...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Given that the construction industry is a vital part of Ireland's economic growth, it is essential that bureaucracy should not get in the way of progression and development. I accept, however, that there might be dangers in imposing time limits because An Bord Pleanála might issue large numbers of refusals as a consequence. An Bord Pleanála must be properly resourced in order that it...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I commend everyone involved in bringing us to where we are today. It is a significant achievement in a relatively short, but perhaps an unnecessarily long, period. Many Senators commented on the Taoiseach's pivotal role. From some of my contacts with people on the Unionist side, many were struck by the absolute commitment and support he gave to the process leading up to the Good Friday...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Owing to various events, many people disregard Ray Burke's contribution after his brief appointment to the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs at a critical time early in the process. He was popular with many Unionists. A certain amount of camaraderie, trust and friendship between negotiating parties makes dealing with difficult issues easier. It would be remiss of me not to mention...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: He added, in case I got the wrong impression, that if England were playing the Vatican, he would shout for the Vatican.

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I know from talking to a number of Unionists that they feel there is much to be gained from closer co-operation with this jurisdiction. I hope the North-South bodies will be strengthened. I regret that during the final hours of the 1998 negotiations, they were watered down so that they would apply to areas in which they would have less impact. I would like to think that would be corrected...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I call for a debate on the report of the joint Oireachtas committee on the bombing of Kay's Tavern. It covers the issue of collusion in many of the atrocities which involved various agencies in Northern Ireland, not only the police and the military but also the Northern Ireland Office, the Secretary of State and the British Prime Minister's office. It is all well set out in that document....

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (26 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State. At the time this legislation was introduced, we all hoped its provisions might be made redundant in time. However, the Minister of State has made a strong argument for their retention. It is worth pointing out that many of these provisions, which were introduced following the Omagh bombing, will be transposed into the Criminal Justice Bill 2007 which we...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (26 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Fine Gael does not know what it is talking about.

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (26 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: May I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, if it is agreeable to everybody?

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (26 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Can we adjourn until 2 p.m. in order to get something to eat in the meantime?

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I have a comment to make which I did not make on Second Stage. We have had a number of debates in the House on sentencing. There should be some sort of commission composed exclusively of the Judiciary which could review sentences passed by its peers, especially those that appear out of sync. There are very eminent and sensible people in the Judiciary, but it also contains some very...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I concur with Senator Cummins. We felt strongly enough on the issue to put down a motion to the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party which was passed unanimously. To our dismay, we then saw the offending provisions were contained in subsequent Bills.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I am not sure why that should be the case. There is no reason for it in any Bill. When this issue previously arose eight or nine years ago, I raised it with several Ministers, including the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. We discovered that certain civil servants have a propensity to include this as a blanket exclusion. I do not see similar exclusions in...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: No, I am not. I do not think the Minister will accept an amendment but I want to voice my objections. The time will come when Fianna Fáil Senators will have to take a stand.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Perhaps it is.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I agree with the Minister's decision to shift the balance by giving powers to the courts and Garda to ensure those who are guilty of offences are held to account. Mindful of transgressions made in the past, it is vital that safeguards are in place to ensure these additional powers are not abused in any way by a small minority. Where a person concocts a statement or engages in other...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I wish to refute Senator Cummins's comment that this exercise is a farce. This is one of the most far-reaching Criminal Justice Bills I have seen in the House. It is very sensible that the Tánaiste does not want to put extraneous matters into the Bill and he has given cogent reasons for this. There is disquiet because of the increase in organised crime gangs and heinous crimes in the past...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I propose that the Order of Business be amended to take Report and Final Stages now. I understand there is consensus in this respect.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I wish to compliment the Minister on this powerful legislation, which he has effected in the face of some hostility from people within the legal profession. While I respect and understand people's concerns regarding civil liberties, for a long time many Members have made the point that the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of civil liberties and that a rebalancing is required. No...