Results 1,581-1,600 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Members referred to the Go Safe road safety campaign. While I support the general principle, I have called before for it not to be implemented until such time there is a comprehensive review of speed limits throughout the country. In most areas, speed limits are pitched at an unrealistically low level.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Gardaí should not be taking the soft target of catching motorists with speed checks in areas where the speed limits are incorrect. I have raised this with the Garda inspectorate, which agrees. Such actions by gardaí bring the system into disrepute. Billions of euro have been invested in upgrading our road network to international standards. Much good work, which I commend, has been done...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister. This Bill is an important component in the fight against crime. Significant improvements have been made in the context of strengthening the legislative framework to enable us to tackle crime. Public confidence in the criminal justice system has been dented by the fact that known criminals are able to walk our streets almost with impunity. This brings the entire...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: What the Chair has said will not stop me from commenting on the Judiciary in general. I accept that with regard to individual cases, we must not get involved. However, there are questions to be asked and we are elected to voice the concerns of the public and to improve the administrative framework relating to our laws. The matter of victim impact statements arose from the Hogan review...

Seanad: Human Trafficking: Motion (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: The tabling of this Private Members' motion has given us the opportunity not just to debate the issue but also examine the various initiatives taken to combat human trafficking. As the Minister said, human trafficking is an offence relatively new to our shores. As a result, we are tackling it with firsthand experience while examining best practice in other jurisdictions. Some Members may...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I join my colleagues in congratulating former Senator Kelly and wish him the very best in his newfound position. He reminded me he can look forward to a five year term. When we look at Seanad reform, the question of a fixed term should be examined. I support the call for a debate on local government. It is opportune to have such a debate. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and...

Seanad: Information and Communications Technologies: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I move: That Seanad Éireann welcomes Government initiatives to support the further development of sustainable information and communications technologies in Ireland with a view towards creating sustainable economic opportunities in new information and communications technologies sectors. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus molaim an rún atá os ár gcomhair anocht. In proposing the...

Seanad: Information and Communications Technologies: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: We have had an interesting debate. The comments of Senator Donohoe and others regarding Twitter highlight the need to create awareness in this area if we are to reap the benefits. I remind Members that €80 million was spent in 2008 as part of an overall investment package of €220 million for broadband services. Significant improvements have been made and, while everyone would...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: The Senator has a chip on his shoulder.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I wish to share two minutes with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Cathaoirleach to let me know when one minute remains.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Multi-Unit Developments Bill, which introduces regulation in an area in which it is much needed. There have been examples in the recent past of fairly acute problems in this regard, although many of the problems associated with apartment living have arisen from poor design, bad planning and, in particular, a failure to ensure units of adequate size with appropriate open areas...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I support those who have called for a debate on the economy. The imminent publication of the report by the IMF may provide Members with a platform on which to base such a debate. There are three strands to the economic situation in which we find ourselves. One is the banking crisis, obviously, and it will be very difficult, even despite the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, to get...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Yesterday I called for a debate on the economy, especially in the aftermath of the publication of the IMF and OECD reports. I welcome the fact that the Minister for Finance has embraced the IMF report's contents. It clearly signals that there are still huge risks involved in tackling this undertaking. The report recognises that the route being taken is necessary and in all probability is...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Senator Alex White and his Labour Party colleagues have opposed everything the Government has done to address the horrendous banking crisis we have. In fact, however, the IMF report does not oppose the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA. It said we may need to look at nationalisation but in doing so it would not be a substitution for NAMA. People need to get real and in particular the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom an Aire Stáit a fháiltiú go dtí an Teach chun an Bille tábhachtach seo a phlé. Senator Harris made a very interesting contribution to the debate on Second Stage. If we return to first base on the law, there is far too much emphasis on technicalities and legalities and not enough on ensuring effective investigation and prosecution within the system. We have seen, and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: We agree on many things.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I agreed with the Senator on the civil partnership issue.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Senator Norris said today he was going to oppose it.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. We have had a comprehensive debate on the Bill and there has been a general welcome for its provisions, which have been amended and improved in the Dáil. Some of those amendments reflect comments made in this House. For the first time an Oireachtas joint committee is invited to have an input into the composition of such statutory boards. This is to be...