Results 1,961-1,980 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: These are very important issues. The Government is seeking to prevent banks from charging penalty interest to those who, because of the unprecedented economic downturn in the past couple of years, are in arrears and unable to meet their commitments and covenants with the banks. That is very much to be welcomed. Many Members on all sides have spoken about taking a balanced and holistic...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: It is absolutely typical.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Many respected Members of this House, namely, Senators Ó Murchú, Mullen, Ross and others, have consistently called for free votes in the House on issues of conscience. Speaking to Members privately, others share that view. We should move towards that approach in debates where people's consciences are engaged.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: The rigid adherence to the Whip system tends to some extent to bring politics into disrepute.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am aware that it is necessary for Government at times to be able to call upon a majority in order to enact legislation but, on occasion, the detail of that should include such flexibility.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I add my voice to that argument. Whether it is decided to allow Members the freedom to vote according to their conscience on matters of conscience I will be guided by my conscience. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, has come in for criticism in the House and this morning on the amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill. Waste...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: For a long period I have argued with conviction against the introduction of incineration. As far back as 2001 I opposed it in a debate in this House on two grounds primarily. One is the health risks that are involved with the emission of dioxins. I accept people contest that belief but serious questions arise in that regard. A significant issue arises in terms of incineration taking waste...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----relates to democracy and local government. I will be very quick. My understanding is that the democratically elected members of Dublin City Council were opposed to the introduction of incineration, which raises issues about local government and giving powers to unelected bureaucrats to make those decisions.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I support the calls for a debate on the national development plan. It is important that we focus on such issues because they impact on the provision of infrastructure and competitiveness in general and, as was said, are significant in terms of employment creation. As someone who has supported the Government on the challenges faced and the difficult decisions it has been brave enought to...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach Ghníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. The discussion on the Civil Partnership Bill has evoked deep emotions on all sides of the Chamber and in the wider public sphere. I have embarked on a difficult personal journey in examining my conscience and deeply held beliefs and I am satisfied that I have reached a balanced and principled objection...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I move amendment No. 1: In page 13, subsection (1), lines 16 and 17, to delete all words from and including "Civil" in line 16 down to and including "2010" in line 17 and substitute the following: "Partnership and Cohabitants (Non marital Relationships) Act 2010". As stated on Second Stage, we have a number of concerns with regard to this Bill. One aspect in this regard is the fact that the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: On Second Stage, I referred to aggressive secularists, as I have done before in the House. I believe we have seen examples of this in the past few moments.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: The fact that in many ways-----

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: It is not my intention to engage in that type of intolerance.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I shall refer to this when we come to much more fundamental amendments in regard to what we will allow take place, whereby people of reasonable and tolerant views will find themselves in jail as a consequence of those views. It has been suggested we are mean-spirited. That would not be my intention in any way. Senator Bacik may have had a point, which I had not noticed until now, with...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: In regard to the last point about equality-----

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I believe I am in order to speak on issues that arise on Committee Stage. I am not trying to delay this. It is not our intention to delay. However, I wish to deal with that because the Minister made the same point in his summing up on Second Stage. I clearly put on record on Second Stage my interpretation of republican equality which differs from the interpretation of left-wing liberals....

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I agree the amendments are important. They go to the core of the reservations people have about aspects of the Bill, including those who have children in loving and caring same-sex relationships. There is a temptation in dealing with such sensitive issues to sidestep them, but, while that is wise in some instances, it is also dishonest. I concur with the view of the previous speaker that...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: No, I am dealing precisely with issues related to children, which are to the core of all the amendments. My concern is that those in pivotal, influential positions should be objective, irrespective of what role they occupy. I was amazed to receive a report from the Ombudsman for Children dated July 2010 given that the heads of this Bill were published in summer 2008. It is astonishing that...