Results 1,541-1,560 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: That may well be the case. He is the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and he will be the one who will sort this out. There are no criteria, as I understand it, other than what is stated, which the Minister read out to me, to which nobody pays a blind bit of heed in any case. Will we give the general entitlement to people to affirm or to take an oath?

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Then where do we stand on the matter? Perhaps the Minister would clarify it——

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: ——for the Judiciary all over the country and for every citizen who may or may not have the beliefs of their childhood or do not understand exactly what the law states about this. They still will not understand and if the judge states in court that if a person is entitled by law he or she can affirm, the person will ask how he or she is entitled by law to affirm. The judge would answer...

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: While I will not press the Minister unduly on the matter at this time, it seems that the Interpretation Act leaves the question of oath and affirmation in something of a limbo. Certainly, it is unsatisfactory. Perhaps we might return to the matter.

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: I move amendment No. 35: In page 13, line 14, after "determined" to insert "by regulations made". This relates to where the review board reviews its functions under the Act. My amendment provides that its determinations will be "by regulations made" so that we will have something clear on paper. The Minister has already agreed to take on board my proposal that all the orders made under the...

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: If there is nothing specific in terms of their procedures, can we be clear on the criteria under which decisions are made? My amendment proposed that a review by the review board, subject to the provisions of this Act, would be such as shall be determined "by regulations made". Will the review board make this up as it goes along without us having any opportunity of seeing the criteria?

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: I appreciate the amendment. It is worthwhile to highlight that the legislation is outside the scope of the FOI Act but it may come under it. Could the Parliamentary Counsel's office consider rephrasing this provision in legislation so every Bill presented to the House would be presumed to come within the remit of the FOI Act, unless specifically excluded? This would be proactive, given that...

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Judge Henchy reported in 1978. It has taken us a while to get around to this but I compliment the Minister on addressing the issue and on his willingness to listen to our contributions. Sometimes we complain that Ministers do not listen to us but, on this occasion, the Minister has listened carefully and I thank him.

Accident and Emergency Services. (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: I welcome to the House the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I would have liked to see the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children here because this is such a serious issue. Next month, I will have been three years protesting outside the accident and emergency unit at the Mater Hospital. I have been there...

Written Answers — Bench Warrants: Bench Warrants (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 162: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances whereby a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of a person (details supplied); when the warrant was issued; the reason the warrant was issued; the further reason the warrant was not executed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11443/06]

Written Answers — Bench Warrants: Bench Warrants (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 163: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of bench warrants and committal warrants which were executed during the month of March 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11444/06]

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 164: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the modules that are outstanding and remain to be dealt with by the Morris tribunal; when he expects the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11445/06]

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 165: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount spent on the Morris tribunal in each year since the tribunal was established in 2002; the amount spent on the Carty inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11446/06]

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (23 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who are employed full-time as drivers for Government Ministers and for other persons holding State office; the guidelines or regulations which cover their employment; if there are requirements to carry out domestic or family duties; if he proposes to review the system; and if he will make a statement...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Motion. (28 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: We would expect no less.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Motion. (28 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: I welcome the Minister to the House. I expected to discuss this Bill much earlier and with fewer amendments. I previously articulated my disappointment with the manner in which the Minister produces legislation. He does not seem to have learned his lesson and does not listen to us despite his experience as Attorney General, senior counsel and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Motion. (28 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Fair play to the Minister. He referred to the DNA database Bill——

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Motion. (28 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: The DNA database Bill is also coming, like Christmas. There is no provision for something like restorative justice, which would have been good. While we have had to wait a long time, many items are not included. We can examine the legislation only in the context of what is happening in society. The situation regarding criminal activity is unattractive. While the Minister says headline...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (28 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to Liberia; if he will report on his meeting with the new Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11770/06]

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Joe Costello: Question 364: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to deport a person (details supplied) who arrived here seeking asylum in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11612/06]