Results 1,381-1,400 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I took from Professor O'Neill's presentation that part of the origins of the argument that we should facilitate assisted suicide or permit it in our legal system is society's perception of what is perfection and that if it deviates from that, that people think that life is worth less than what it usually is. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Dr. Campbell for attending the meeting. I welcome the fact that she is a philosopher. Too often when we debate issues such as this they are defined in the context of rights and laws. Many lawyers address us, so it is interesting to hear from somebody who is examining it from a philosophical background. Dr. Campbell indicated at the outset that the origins of the debate by people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is slightly different from the autonomous argument. If one considers other arguments outside of people wishing to kill themselves, we disallow or prevent people from using serious drugs that will harm them. We intervene in that way. Dr. Campbell is stating that the State should only consider changing the laws if there are circumstances where there is an unbearable suffering. Is that right?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Why can they not do that irrespective of whether they have an illness? If we are seeking to value the autonomy of the individual, why restrict it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In a situation, for example, where a 22 year old suffers unbearably from manic depression, the State should not permit that person to receive assistance to kill himself or herself.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Dr. Campbell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Ms Hall for attending. The term "disabled person" covers a large number of people, including those who are born with a disability and have a good quality of life throughout and, on the other side, a 40 year old who is involved in, for example, a car crash and becomes quadriplegic overnight. Would Ms Hall differentiate in any way? Would the latter example of someone enduring a car...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is interesting. The proponents of the argument consider it from the point of view of the rights of the individual - I am an individual, I am autonomous, I have rights and I should be allowed to do what I wish to do. Ms Hall's contribution is valuable. As legislators, we have to take into account society and broader groups within it. I suspect that many people who are disabled do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ms Hall mentioned how Disability Action had not been challenged on its position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I find that curious. Is Ms Hall's point that, when she makes her argument in respect of disabled people, it is ignored by those who are advocates of a change in the law in this way?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Ms Hall.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will take less than two minutes. I thank the Minister for coming in. It is important the overtime is available for gardaí throughout the country between now and the end of the year. Why has the overtime increased so significantly? In 2014 it was €37 million but in 2017 it will be €130 million. What is the reason for the enormous increase?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Magdalen Laundries (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 38. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps his Department plans to take on foot of the recommendations of the Ombudsman’s report on the Magdalene restorative justice scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51989/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Magdalen Laundries (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister will be aware that less than two weeks ago the Ombudsman published his report, entitled Opportunity Lost, on the administration of the Magdalen restorative justice scheme. Unfortunately, the report concludes that the manner in which the scheme has been administered by the Department constitutes maladministration within the meaning of section 4 of the Ombudsman Act 1980 as...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Magdalen Laundries (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: We can all agree that the incarceration of women in Magdalen laundries was one of the most shameful periods of Irish history. It reflected badly on all aspects of Irish society. However, on 19 February 2013, it looked like we had turned over a new leaf with the then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, issuing a public and heartfelt apology on behalf of the State to the women who were...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Magdalen Laundries (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the proposals that the Ombudsman has reluctantly accepted is the one from the Department that women who lack capacity should be made wards of court. However, it is important that we do not allow that process to proceed in a very slow and difficult manner from the point of view of the applicants. I suggest that the Minister proactively provides practical support to those women who are...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Training (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent of training and continuous professional development provided for members of An Garda Síochána when amending or new legislation is passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51990/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Training (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Being a member of An Garda Síochána is an extremely demanding and professional job and it is not comparable to the job performed by members, say, 30 or 40 years ago. Part of the reason for this is the vast array of legislation that passes through the Houses. It is even difficult for lawyers to keep up with the amount of law being generated, not just in the Houses but also in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Training (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am conscious of the fact that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the training of personnel. I am also aware that the Policing Authority has a crucial role to play in changing the manner in which training in the Garda is amended. Notwithstanding that, it is important that the Minister and the Department play a part in emphasising the need to ensure that there is greater...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Training (5 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the advantages of formalising training to a greater extent than it is now is that it would encourage gardaí to develop expertise in individual areas. We might find that gardaí wish to emphasise and grow their expertise in particular areas. I noted the Minister's comments on the House not being responsible for training gardaí, but we could make their lives simpler....