Results 1,121-1,140 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I will concentrate on the topic of anti-social behaviour orders. The Labour Party supports their introduction and that of good behaviour contracts. The idea is modelled on legislation in place in the UK for a number of years. As far as I know, the anti-social behaviour order was first introduced there in 1998. The UK system includes anti-social behaviour contracts, which are similar to good...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the decision by the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, to reduce the height limit for joining the Army, as this is progress, but why is a height restriction required? Will the Leader arrange a debate on this matter and invite the Minister to attend the House in that respect? According to some figures, 10% of women and 2% of men will still be excluded despite the decision. If one...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: Section 17(2) states, "For the purposes of section 1(1)(d) of the Statutory Declarations Act 1938 a member of the Garda Síochána may take and receive a statutory declaration made under subsection (1)." Subsection (1) refers to the person making the statement rather than a person who is at the time suspected of having committed an offence. Is there not a conflict of interest in giving powers...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I appreciate the Minister's argument but it is in the interest of a garda taking a statement to secure a declaration. I hope that I have interpreted this correctly. Essentially, the garda is taking the place of a commissioner for oaths or a solicitor, who would be acting independently in taking the statement. On that basis, is there not a conflict of interest?

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: Could people not use that in their defence in court? If they cannot, should they not be able to do so?

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: Yes.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I apologise for my continued enthusiasm for this theme but I wonder how a judge might react.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I am also in favour of anti-social behaviour orders, ASBOs. Anti-social behaviour is becoming a larger part of crime in Ireland. It is still somewhat hidden and statistics should be calculated on the problem. People in my area, not one or two but several, have given up council houses, leaving themselves homeless, in order to escape anti-social behaviour. These may be elderly pensioners...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: There is a certain blurring but there is also an area where definition is needed and that is why we are bringing forward this legislation. This area is not covered by criminal legislation and joyriding is not a specific offence.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: It is but not all joyriding involves stolen cars. There has been criticism of such legislation in the UK but there has also been much positive feedback. Many local authorities and people in communities are involved and many reports state that it has improved areas, which is of benefit to everyone including the children and adults involved in anti-social behaviour. This can help nip such...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: The Minister has grasped the reason I raised the issue. It is not so clear cut whether a person who drives a stolen car into property and damages it can be prosecuted for any other criminal offence.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: The offence of stealing a car differs from that of joyriding and causing damage or danger to property or persons. Perhaps it is another day's work but it is not necessarily true that someone who carried out such an action could be prosecuted for stealing a car because it is a separate issue. Sometimes, the offence of joyriding and causing damage or danger to property or persons is not carried...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 6: In page 29, to delete lines 37 to 39. Having raised this issue on Committee Stage yesterday, I reviewed the relevant documentation I received from the Law Society. In its submission on the Bill, it said in regard to sections 17 and 18, "Declarations, oaths or affirmations should not be administered by persons who have an interest in the subject matter at hand but...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I forgot to mention earlier that I have a personal interest in this area in that I am a solicitor ——

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: However, I have not signed a statutory declaration in many months. I am winding down my work as a solicitor at present but I could benefit from this legislation in the future. I still have a problem with this section. The Minister has referred to the 1938 Act which provides for different people to take these types of declarations. However, I do not think that the Act envisages that the people...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: Yes.

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister and his staff. I am particularly grateful that the Minister will allow the Bill to return to the Dáil, thereby allowing Members to table amendments that could be accepted by the Minister, which he duly did in some cases. This is particularly welcome as it was not expected. I presumed we would be told we could not have amendments accepted because the Bill would not go...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: I have a strong background in the institute of technology sector. I graduated from a university but I gained a postgraduate diploma at the Dublin Institute of Technology and I worked there also. I agree with Senator Ryan's point that the institutes of technology have led the way on the issue of flexibility. When I worked at DIT Bolton Street a student there started on a trades course,...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: Has the Leader any update on the all-party Oireachtas joint committee dealing with child protection?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Joanna Tuffy: Was it? I apologise, I missed that. Will Senators be included on that committee?