Results 1-20 of 11,815 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Estimates for Public Services 2025 (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move the following Supplementary Estimates: Vote 20 — Garda Síochána (Supplementary Estimate) That a supplementary sum not exceeding €20,424,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, for the salaries and expenses of the Garda Síochána, including pensions, etc.; for...

Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2025: Leave to Introduce (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025: Vote 32 — Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 33 — Culture, Communications and Sport (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 34 — Housing, Local Government and Heritage...

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am pleased to commend the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 to the House. No amendments to the Bill have been tabled on Committee Stage. I particularly acknowledge the co-operation and support that has been given to the Bill by colleagues and party spokespersons across the House. I also extend my thanks to the Oireachtas staff, in particular the staff of the Bills...

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Ward for his contribution. This is an amendment that was mentioned previously by Deputy Carthy. The purpose of it is to try to provide for the payment to jurors of travel and subsistence expenses, and for reimbursement for financial losses incurred in the exercise of their responsibilities as jurors. It is important to point out that jury service is a very important civic...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am very pleased to be back in Seanad Éireann on Committee Stage of the defamation Bill. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach indicated, when I finished on the previous occasion I was dealing with amendment No. 11 from Senator Keogan, which was an amendment to section 19 in respect of the anti-SLAPP provisions within the legislation. As I indicated on the last...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: First, I thank Senators Higgins, Craughwell and Byrne for their contributions. I thanked Senator Keogan on the last occasion for her amendment also. Before I start dealing with the amendments that have been spoken to by Senators, it is important at the outset to remind Members here of the powers which exist at present within our courts system. Sometimes as Members of the Oireachtas, we...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That would be hard.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Senator Craughwell asked whether I would consider amending section 34A(d). I will always consider what is said in this House and I will reflect upon it for Report Stage, but my own view at this preliminary stage is that, when I look at section 34A(d), what is set out there is comprehensible. The Senator says I should stop at "the use in bad faith of procedural tactics". What is also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Between 2021 and 2024, Ireland welcomed over 700 people who were refugees from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme's (IRPP) Afghan Programme. Within the remit of IRPP, a Humanitarian Admissions Programme prioritises at-risk individuals such as human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists. The Humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363, 364 and 366 together. Under Irish law, criminal investigations can only be carried out by An Garda Síochána, who submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decides whether a prosecution should proceed, and what crime will be prosecuted. Under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials are aware of this case. All accommodation centres are subject to routine inspections and compliance checks during the lifetime of the contract, either by Department officials, HIQA, or through IPAS-commissioned inspections. These inspections are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 369, 370 and 371 together. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme continues to play an important and significant role in providing practical support by way of monetary compensation to victims of violent crime. The Government is committed to reforming the Scheme, including placing it on a statutory footing as provided for in the Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Pension Provisions (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for submitting this question. The National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) is responsible for the administration of the Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings System. The retirement savings system which commences next year is specifically for employees who do not already have a workplace pension scheme or similar. It does not apply to civil or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 374 and 375 together. As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts and operational matters, including matters pertaining to court buildings, are the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercising of its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. Ireland’s national implementation plan sets out the State’s proposed approach to meeting the requirements set out in the Pact. It is not a binding prescription, but rather an indication of how Ireland intends to go about implementing the Pact. The plan allows for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (13 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The safety and well-being of all residents in International Protection accommodation is the highest priority for the Department and fire safety is a critical requirement for all accommodation centres. The Department does not routinely collate data in the manner requested in the question, but all international protection accommodation centres are subject to inspections each year through...