Results 2,081-2,100 of 2,156 for speaker:Tom Parlon

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: For the reasons outlined by the Minister during the debate on the issue in the other House, this amendment is not acceptable. A general provision such as the amendment proposes requires careful consideration and is not something the Government would introduce at such a late stage. It could be considered in the context of the more general liquor licensing reforms being studied by the Department.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: There may be a slight misunderstanding here. It appears that the effect of the amendment would be to restrict the noise criterion to the playing of music by persons on the premises. Some musicians would not appreciate their music being classified as noise.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: Why is that the case? The existing paragraph is deliberately designed to cover all types of noise, not just that involving loud music. It also includes music. We are talking about very loud discussions, argument or drunken behaviour and so on. The section includes music and all other types of noise while the Senator's amendment refers to the playing of music only. Accordingly, the Minister...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: The Senator said that one person's annoyance would not be another's. However, one person's serious annoyance could be interpreted differently as well. The Minister is not prepared to accept the amendment. The District Court will operate on the basis of common sense. If something is trivial, the court would not make an order. If something is serious, the question would be what was meant by the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: I dealt with this issue with regard to amendment No. 2 and the use of such terms as "reasonable", "reasonably" or "serious". It is the Minister's view that this would only dilute Bill. They would simply be regarded as escape clauses and excuses which could lead to legal argument as to their meaning. The Minister is not amenable to making changes of this nature to the Bill. They are more...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: There is no argument that drink is the problem, not salt or vinegar. We all know, however, that next to night clubs and bars with late licences there are fast food outlets where people accumulate and that serious public order offences have occurred in them. Several years ago, in my own county, a fracas developed outside a chip shop and a person assaulted by a local bully ran to his car, took...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: An amendment similar to that being proposed has already been discussed in the other House, on both Committee and Report Stages, and has been rejected by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, for the reason that the Minister was not amenable to making a change of this nature to a public order measure, on the grounds that it would weaken the enforcement of the Bill. Such a change...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: As I said, a similar amendment has been discussed. Under subsection (4) it is provided that a person who does not comply with a closure order is guilty of an offence, and can be subject to a penalty of not more than €50 or a prison sentence not exceeding three months. If we are serious about dealing with public order offences, we must have a pretty strong Bill, and any weakening of the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: There is no need for this amendment. The point it refers to was raised on Committee Stage in the Dáil and was withdrawn by Deputy Costello on the basis that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would examine the position to ensure that any extension of a closure order, which is provided for under section 6 of the Bill, in circumstances where the Garda is satisfied there is a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: It is intention of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, to strengthen the powers of the Garda Síochána in this area, but the relevant provision will be contained in a separate intoxicating liquor Bill. This follows from a recommendation in the Intoxicating Liquor Commission's recent report. The Minister indicated on Second Stage of this Bill in the House on...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (20 May 2003)

Tom Parlon: I accept what the Senator has said and it would be a very worthwhile provision in the Bill. However, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, did say he was preparing this legislation as a matter of priority. I do expect that it will be expedited quickly.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital: Motion. (16 Apr 2003)

Tom Parlon: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the property plans of the Office of Public Works and I thank Independent Senators for proposing the debate. The Office of Public Works is 150 years old and in that time a substantial portfolio in excess of 1,800 properties has been acquired by the State. It is a rich tapestry which includes everything from small rural Garda stations to large urban office...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital: Motion. (16 Apr 2003)

Tom Parlon: I was just barely around then. I have poor recollection, so I will not name any of the Senators who might have a better recollection than me.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital: Motion. (16 Apr 2003)

Tom Parlon: I was not trying to impress the Senator in any great way.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Decentralisation Programme. (15 Apr 2003)

Tom Parlon: Decentralisation is an issue of keen interest to many Members of this House. I, personally, have always been an advocate of decentralisation and I am particularly pleased to have this opportunity to address the issue on the Adjournment. The Government's commitment to introducing a new programme of decentralisation is evident in the commitment made in An Agreed Programme for Government in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Decentralisation Programme. (15 Apr 2003)

Tom Parlon: Soon, I would say.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Meal Vouchers. (15 Apr 2003)

Tom Parlon: I assume the Senator is referring to the announcement by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2003 in connection with benefits-in-kind. In this regard, the Finance Act 2003, together with corresponding provisions in the Social Welfare Act 2003, provides for the direct application of PAYE and PRSI to benefits-in-kind with effect from 1 January 2004. The effect of this measure is that...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate on Second Stage of the Finance Bill 2003. Senators Higgins, Kenneally and others raised the issue of inflation and spoke about the importance of maintaining and improving our competitiveness. As a small open economy, Ireland's ability to trade, to a large extent, determines our living standards. Therefore, it is vital, as Senators said,...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: I would not be asked that question in the first place.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Tom Parlon: Wishful thinking.