Results 2,081-2,100 of 2,396 for speaker:Barry Ward

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I support the calls for a debate on antisocial behaviour, but also on general disorder in public and the lawlessness we have seen. I have raised this issue in the House previously. Much of that antisocial behaviour and, in particular, that lawlessness is directed towards people who are not Irish. That is a particular aspect that we need to address. Yesterday, I had the privilege of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: We had this discussion on Committee Stage, with regard to Senator Higgins's amendments. I appreciate very clearly the difference between an exemption and a defence, and I understand where the Senator is coming from. In the context of amendment No. 2, which adds in the words "whether for profit or otherwise", I can see the value in that and I do not have a difficulty with that. On the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: Anois.

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I welcome the motion. An entirely common-sense provision is being suggested by the Minister of State. Considering that this measure relates to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, including Article 5, as mentioned by the Minister of State, it is good that these motions are discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Constitutionally, it is appropriate that the relevant...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I wish to respond to some of the issues Senator Higgins raised. There are two things primarily, the first of which is the suggestion the Minister made in his speech and the case for this amendment. I think, if I have understood what the Minister said in his last response, that the opposite is the case. I do not see how this amendment in any way addresses the fact that these issues might...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (20 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: Dé Máirt seo chugainn.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I want to mention the platform, Speak Out, that was launched this week by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. Speak Out is an anonymous online platform that allows students and staff to report incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, bullying, cyberbullying and everything in between. It is to operate across our third...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (14 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to deal with this issue. He will be aware of the history of sail training in Ireland. For many years, including during my childhood, although I was never a trainee on it, I was often on board the Asgard II,which many people throughout Ireland will fondly recall as a sail training vessel that worked for many years with people from non-sailing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (14 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister. I am delighted to hear that there is that level of engagement. I really am grateful to the Minister for his commitment to this. It is obviously important that this goes through the right channels and is done in the right way to ensure a sustainable programme over a period of time but I really do hope that no political difficulties prevent this important scheme from...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I welcome the decision by Facebook to remove the page of one particular far right activist who has propagated misinformation and conspiracy theories for a long time. That is a welcome move, however, at the same time we recognise that there are many other pages online that are ignored by Facebook, such as pages that spread misinformation and abuse about which nothing is done. A great feature...

Seanad: British Government Legacy Proposals: Motion (13 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I thank Senator Currie for the initiative behind this motion and her words. She has an insight into the matter that many of us do not have. Some of us do. All of us have connections with Northern Ireland and Britain. The reality is that, over generations, we have been inextricably linked with those parts of these islands, if I can put it in those terms. My own grandfather was from...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I would like to join with other Members who remarked on the passing of Paddy Moloney, who was a Blackrock resident. He will be missed for his good humour and patience with people as much as for his skill and music. He was a great member of the community and someone who contributed at every level. I was aware he went into hospital last night but I am sorry to hear that he passed away. He...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: Today is National Women's Enterprise Day and it is appropriate to acknowledge the many women involved in business throughout the country who do sterling work at both local and national level. I want to acknowledge a number of excellent businesses in my own area run by women that are unparalleled. I could talk about numerous shops, restaurants, accountancy firms and lawyers in the area but I...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I have a brief question on order and procedure. I recognise what the Senators are doing. In light of what they have said about the definitions they propose to insert in the context of later amendments that make reference to the term "humanitarian assistance", for example, a proposed new section 9 under amendment No. 12, is it in order to discuss those amendments now to give us all clarity...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I understand where the Senators are coming from. Given the Long Title makes it clear what this Bill is and the link into the international treaties and agreements to which we are subject, I wonder if this is necessary. I acknowledge what Senator Ruane has said but I would be interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say. I would have thought that this is probably covered by what...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I am sympathetic to what Senators are proposing to put in here. However, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the ECHR already apply. There is no doubt about that. That fact has been recognised by courts in this jurisdiction, in Strasbourg and elsewhere. In the circumstances, I do not think it is necessary to put this in, notwithstanding the legitimate concerns and issues...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I had not looked at this from the perspective that the Senators are coming from and had not considered it in the context of the protocol. On Second Stage I indicated that there should be additional references to recklessness in sections 6(1)(b) and 7(1)(b) in terms of whether the person had a reasonable cause to believe or whether the person was reckless as to whether he or she believed...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: This amendment is misplaced. It misunderstands the importance of giving as many tools as possible to prosecutors. In making amendments to this Bill intended to ensure that the wrong people do not get caught up in prosecutions, there is a danger that we may end up making it more difficult for legitimate prosecutions to be undertaken. If it was only necessary for a person to know that "entry...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2021)

Barry Ward: I think we have got away a little bit from what this Bill is trying to do. It is important to recognise that there is an enormous distinction between what happens in Italy, in terms of this kind of issue and what happens here. The Bill is designed to have effect here and is designed to refer to the prosecutorial authorities here in Ireland, not those in Italy. One of the most important...