Results 1,161-1,180 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Establishment (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In July 2016 the Minister's predecessor, now Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, signed the commencement order to begin the operation of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority and a chairperson and a board were put in place. Some 15 months later, the authority is not operational to hear complaints from the public about members of...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Establishment (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I fully appreciate the fact that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority is an independent statutory body, but that does not mean that questions cannot be asked of the Minister and that he cannot provide the answers for the House. It is difficult for Deputies to get answers unless we table questions to the Minister, being the appropriate Minister. In the case of An Garda Síochána...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Establishment (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I still do not know the answer to my question. I still do not know when the Legal Services Regulatory Authority will be operational. I note that there are very important provisions in the Act. Part 6 will set out the new regulatory regime and the basis on which complaints can be made by members of the public. I do not know when it is going to be up and running, but members of the public...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will publish a new statement of strategy in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44213/17]

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: If the Minister listens carefully to this question and gives a proper answer to it, he will see that it relates to a proposal that could have the effect of reducing his workload. As those of us who cover the justice and equality portfolio and are members of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality are well aware, the breadth and jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and Equality is...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is welcome that a statement of strategy for the years from 2017 to 2020 will be published later this year. It is worthwhile for the Department of Justice and Equality to take time to consider issues and to assess how it should make progress. For far too long, the Department has operated on the basis of the next crisis on the list, such as an issue pertaining to the Garda...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is appropriate for consideration to be given to the reallocation of responsibility for certain areas for which the Department of Justice and Equality is now responsible. This should not be done to reduce the workload - that is the wrong expression - but to ensure all areas within the Department are given thorough and full consideration. I note what the Minister said about his "active and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda College (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will take regarding the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Public Accounts report on Templemore, specifically those that relate to his Department. [44215/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority Reports (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the Policing Authority’s third quarterly report on progress by An Garda Síochána in implementing the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate report Changing Policing in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44214/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent call by the Chief Justice for reform of the civil justice system in order to allow access to justice for all citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44212/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 280. To ask the Minister for Health the reason dieticians are not available in the Dublin region to work with children diagnosed with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45054/17]

Tracker Mortgages: Motion [Private Members] (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: This is not the first time the State has had to respond to wrongdoing by banks. In fact, it is not the first time that the State has had to respond to banks taking money from customers without their permission. We must recognise that there is great fury about this for two reasons. First, many of those who have these mortgages are people who bought their properties at the height of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Michael McGrath and acknowledge the considerable work he has put into this legislation on which I know he has been working for a long time. As I said to the Chairman beforehand, following pre-legislative scrutiny, the Bill will proceed to Committee Stage. Before Deputy Michael McGrath and committee members start to do a huge amount of work on amendments, we need certainty as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is there any suggestion that financial institutions will try to sell on mortgages that are in distress to other entities such as vulture funds or is that just a fear that may happen but for which there is no basis?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for coming in and making a presentation to us this morning. The assessment of the Bill I get from the witnesses is that they are supportive of it and think it is a good idea but they have two concerns. One is that if it looks like it will get through the banks may sell on to vulture funds to avoid its consequences, and the second is there may be constitutional issues,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: To achieve one of the objectives set out, I presume the witnesses would need a decision by the Government and legislation introduced by the Oireachtas. Do they envisage NAMA-type legislation, whereby a statutory entity would be set up or perhaps use the insolvency service, and mortgage distressed loans in the financial institutions would be examined and transferred to this statutory body?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is it possible for a not-for-profit regulated entity to go to the financial institutions, in the same way as a vulture fund would, to try to purchase them without any legislative intervention?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Surely from their point of view it is just a question of money. If the witnesses pay more than the vulture fund then-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Hall.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Farrell for attending. Although we are here to discuss Deputy McGrath's Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill, I found Mr. O'Connor's comments on how the existing personal insolvency legislation was operating informative. However, his assessment of creditor engagement was disturbing. Can I take it that he believes the banks are not constructively...