Results 1,261-1,280 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Inquiry (21 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 261. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when his attention was drawn to the fact that the former Garda Commissioner had instructed her legal team to attack the motivation and integrity of a person (details supplied) at the O'Higgins commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48767/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Inquiry (21 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 262. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if officials within his Department took issue with or disapproved of the instruction of the former Garda Commissioner to her legal team to attack the motivation and integrity of a person (details supplied) at the O'Higgins commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48768/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for attending. They are to be commended on being able to have a rational and civilised discussion on this very emotive issue. I note Mr. Tom Curran stated he is aware that if a law is brought in, it must be in such a way that it cannot affect the vulnerable. He said that he wants a law brought in that would apply to people such as his late wife, Marie. How can this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Should there be a restriction on age? What have to be the exceptions? Mr. Curran mentioned earlier that a Bill had been drafted. I am sorry I have not had a chance to look at it. What grounds are in that Bill that would merit exemption from the prohibition on assisted suicide?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Say I decide I want to end my life.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Let us say I am squeamish and I do not want to commit suicide. Instead, I want to go to somewhere like Dignitas.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: With what type of illness would one draw the line?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Who decides what is life-limiting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Would a doctor certify that Jim O'Callaghan has a life-limiting illness?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is the reason I am asking these questions. We are lawmakers. At the end of this process, we have to prepare a report and decide whether we recommend if there should be amendments to the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act. If we are going to do that, we have to set out a basis as to what should be the grounds for exemption from prosecution for assisted suicide. Obviously, Mr. Tom Curran has a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: If it is to be a life-limiting illness, how do we deal with somebody suffering from serious depression?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Professor Lewis for coming here to talk to us. While she is a professor of law, there is no reason that she should have any knowledge of Irish law. Under our Constitution, the courts have established there is no right to suicide in this country using the principle of unenumerated personal rights. An argument has been advanced that there is an issue of equality between individuals...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The case of Pretty v. the United Kingdom was referred to by the Irish Supreme Court in the case involving Marie Fleming.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: There is no right to die under Article 2. It may be the case under the rights of private life under Article 8, as the professor has said, that states may be allowed to introduce laws in order to prevent an individual being distressed at the end of his or her life. Is that a general correct assessment of the situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Sometimes in the past this country has been compelled to change its laws because of findings by the European Court of Human Rights. Am I correct in stating that the law that exists in Ireland at present does not conflict with European rights law and they are compatible?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes. At the moment we are in compliance with law.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: What is the current situation in the UK, in England and Wales?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: What does Professor Lewis think of this method as a means of dealing with the issue in Ireland, in other words, the law would not change but guidelines would be issued by a prosecutor to give clarity to people as to what is permissible and what is not permissible? It sounds like an Irish solution to an Irish problem, even though it is an English solution to an English problem.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Professor Lewis.

Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The report in today's edition of The Irish Times that the Department of Justice and Equality email, which has been under consideration this week, was unearthed in the Department two weeks ago on 9 November is mind-boggling and adds another layer to the issues facing the Tánaiste. I want her to be clear as to the nature of the criticism we make of her. She will be aware that the...