Results 2,141-2,160 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is even further from west Cork but, thankfully, we are very civilised in west Cork. It is certainly a much better option than Spike Island and proper transport facilities for relatives should solve the problem. I am broadly supportive of the proposal and am very glad the Minister saw the error of his ways in contemplating spending huge sums of money on Spike Island. My continuing...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: A couple of issues arise in respect of the privatisation of certain prison services. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has made much of his confrontation with the Prison Officers Association and clapped himself on the back for achieving great savings. I wonder would his claims stand up to further scrutiny. I understand the average cost of keeping somebody in...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: In Britain, where I have seen some of the prison accommodation, the figure is €36,000. The Government has not made value for money a great priority and if international comparisons are used in judging the Minister's performance he does not rate highly. The Minister proposes giving future Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the power of privatisation, to exercise if appropriate....

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: There has been so much abuse in this regard that it is time to raise the flag and call a halt. I had occasion to examine carefully one of the Minister's pet projects, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, and the pets appointed to it. Frankly, the outcome was horrifying. We have had enough of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats' friends being appointed to positions without qualifications...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: He is a man of whom the country can be proud. I am not sure that the Minister can be proud of how he treated the inspector or how many of the inspector's reports were, if not buried completely, allowed to gather dust before it suited the Minister to slip them out, not coincidentally at the end of a Dáil session so that any debate on them could be stifled and no awkward questions could be...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: On drug testing, the Minister stated that he would end drug-taking in prisons, but we need a separate debate on the issue. I am delighted by the notion in theory. I would love to see no drugs in prison. I do not want to see drugs in the country. The ordinary people of the country cannot understand how prisoners can get drugs after being locked up in prison. I revert to the letter from the...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Is there no one else to pick it up?

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The inmate refers to taking a few "yellows", whatever they are, and smoking a few "J"s while listening to Bob Marley. It is a normal activity in that prison, but the Minister is telling us that he will end drug-taking in prisons. There seems to be a significant gap between theory——

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: ——and reality.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The debate has been a useful opener, but there should be further opportunities for serious and lengthy debate on this matter. Many issues need to be covered. It is in everyone's interest — those put into prisons, those who stay out and society as a whole — to have a considered and working prisons policy, unlike the current policy which is failing society.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Government promised two Bills on the subject of fines. The Fines Bill was to provide for the updating and indexation of fines and related matters, and the Enforcement of Fines Bill was to end imprisonment, where practicable, for inability to pay fines and to provide for new ways of enforcing the payment of fines. Yesterday, the Fines Bill was circulated and the promotion of the Bill...

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: It has been promised for four years.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Four years have elapsed. When will Members see it?

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Yes. The Fine Gael Bill provided for this.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: When will the House see the enforcement of fines Bill?

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I will repeat the question. When will Members see the enforcement of fines Bill, which has been promised for the past four years by the Government?

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Members know that. That means they will not see it in the lifetime of this Government.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I have already done so. There is a Bill before the House——.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Fine Gael will put the Bill through when it is in the next Government.

Order of Business (1 Feb 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The House is entitled to straight and honest answers.