Results 1,261-1,280 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: The reason the Minister gave in subsequent questions I and other Deputies asked was to do with the outcome of the Ferns investigation but that investigation was not set up until March 2003. The Minister said the outcome of that investigation was awaited and that he did not want to do anything until that had come out.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: It may have been very wise but in 2002 the Minister had given this inquiry priority over the Ferns investigation. The Minister's wisdom in hindsight is wonderful. The other reason he gave was that a more effective medium of investigation was required. Both reasons are wise and appropriate but the effect of not taking action at that time, when many allegations had been put into the public...

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: That is the point in terms of the timescale the Minister is providing for. He should provide for ten times the 18 months.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: The Minister must recognise the amount of work involved but I will come to that shortly.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: It is more than that. By drawing the line in 1975 the Minister is effectively giving an amnesty in terms of any offence committed prior to that time. In other words, he is drawing the line at a time when, according to the Ferns Report, considerable child sexual abuse was taking place in that diocese. It is wrong to draw the line in that arbitrary fashion and simply say it would be difficult...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: I agree with the Minister's sentiments on his intention to introduce a major review and updating of the Coroners Act next year. Deputy Rabbitte's legislation intends to deal with two specific areas. By broadening it out, we will move into other areas that will require a considerable degree of examination. I agree with Deputy Ó Snodaigh that there is a need for greater scope and mandatory...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: The amendment strengthens the relevant section of the principal Act, the wording of which is somewhat loose in terms of the delivery of summonses. Specifying that a summons must be delivered to the person concerned at the address at which he or she ordinarily resides by pre-paid registered post will ensure it arrives. This technical amendment, therefore, tightens the section.

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: Is the Minister referring to Deputy Callely's car?

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: I support the thrust of what Deputy Ó Snodaigh is saying. The existing section 30 simply refers to the identity of the deceased, as well as how, when and where the death occurred. It does not make provision for the surrounding circumstances. At the same time, section 31 makes provision for a rider or recommendation to be made. In many ways, it is hard to see how one can add a meaningful...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: This is a useful amendment because there is quite a difference between a juror and a witness. It is a fault of the Coroners Act 1962 that juries for coroners courts are empanelled in a different way to other juries. They are empanelled in a very ad hoc fashion. I remember one instance where a sergeant at Store Street Garda station was running up and down the road trying to get enough jurors...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: I too was wondering why the Minister should delete this section and what the draftsman or draftswoman might have found wrong with it.

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: The Minister could have amended it and retained the principle. It seeks to grant powers of compellability to the coroner. He may order a juror or witness to comply with a summons and make such other orders as may be considered necessary. The second strand of the legislation that Deputy Rabbitte has proposed is that witnesses and jurors should be compellable and have to turn up, particularly...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: The Minister sometimes produces revelations. I will certainly accept what the Minister has said. No doubt, the next time we address this in the new year, the Minister will have revealed all to us.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the conduct of the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein currently taking place in Baghdad in view of the killing of lawyers assisting Mr. Hussein; the statement by the United States Government that it cannot be responsible for the safety of the defence team; the fact that the highest UN human rights official in Iraq...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: Question 89: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the stance of the Government regarding the escalating human rights and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, including the fact that almost a quarter of a million of the poorest of the poor have been driven from their homes by a Government sponsored program of destruction of slums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39283/05]

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving in each of the Garda stations in Connacht for each year since 1997 and to date in 2005; the population served by each Garda station in 1997 and to date in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39338/05]

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: It is not recorded, that is the problem.

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: The Minister has overused the word "record".

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (15 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of the school building programme funding allocation that has been spent to date in 2005; the amount that remains unspent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39653/05]

Written Answers — Multi-Denominational Schools: Multi-Denominational Schools (15 Dec 2005)

Joe Costello: Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the crisis in funding of Educate Together will be addressed, which if not addressed will make it impossible for it to carry out the work it has been doing on behalf of the State as the patron body for multi-denominational national schools; if additional moneys will be allocated to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter....