Results 2,161-2,180 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: Will everyone in the Gallery get one?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: Will the Leader ask the Minister to attend the House to discuss an issue of great scandal, namely, that of the Priory complex in Donaghmede which was in the news in recent days, where 187 apartment units are uninhabitable because of the condition in which they were left and the severe fire hazard they constitute? Unfortunately, many people who purchased apartments there are now grossly...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, should we debate what was part of last night's Private Members' time this morning? People who are in distress and face severe financial difficulties are looking to Members in this House to act responsibly and this is what we get.

Seanad: Presidential Elections: Motion (Resumed) (5 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: Aontaím leis na Seanadóirí eile a mhol Sinn Féin as an rún seo a ardú. Díospóireacht an-thábhachtach í seo ach cé go bhfuilimid ag cuidiú leis an rún, ní aontaím le gach rud atá ann. I note in particular that reform of the nomination process is part of the Sinn Féin motion and also part of the Fianna Fáil amendment. There is nothing wrong with the nomination process. One...

Seanad: Visit of Northern Ireland Assembly Delegation (5 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: Sula leanfaimid ar aghaidh, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh bheirt ón Northern Assembly, Willie Clark, MLA, and Caitríona Ruane, MLA. They are both welcome to the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Jim Walsh: I agree with the comments made by Senator Cáit Keane and the sentiment behind them. The waste across many areas of the public service at a time of severe fiscal difficulties needs to be reined in. I do not know if anyone saw the interview the other evening with Michael Somers, the former chief of the NTMA, who spoke about the need for us to bring down prices and salaries and try to get the...

Seanad: Address by President of the Irish Human Rights Commission (28 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh Dr. Manning go dtí an Teach inniu. I served with Dr. Manning in the House previously and he was one of the most articulate and finest minds with whom it was my privilege to serve in this House. He has obviously brought that great capacity to the current important position he holds. As one who was criticised for claiming that many branches of the NGOs had hitched their...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am a little concerned that the Minister is dismissing the concern to ensure that the rights of the individual would be balanced proportionately with that of the public interest. I have listened carefully to the Minister and I believe these rights are inherent in the measure. From that point of view I am reassured. However, the kernel of my concern surrounds the capacity of individuals to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I have followed the debate with interest and I think we have come to the nub of the issue. I hear what Senator Byrne is saying, and I must defer to the fact that he is a solicitor, but my interpretation of the amendment to section 4 differs from his. I find myself much more disposed to the amendment, unless the Minister can clarify its precise legal nature. The amendment before us seeks to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: This is why I am coming back to this reason for personality.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am aware of that and I am conscious of the huge cost that has been incurred to date and that will be incurred. I would like to see far greater emphasis placed on the stressed taxpayers who are trying to meet the public cost and that we would not be wasting money in future. That is one of the reasons I am supportive of the thrust of what we are trying to do here. That balancing issue is a...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: -----that will be done. I do not expect it to be done, and consequently I have these reservations. We are now going into a referendum campaign on the issue, and I regret the fact that greater time has not been allocated to teasing out these issues within the Houses because they go to the root of how we wish to see society governed. At issue is the principle of the right of an individual to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am sorry to interrupt the Minister, but what is the difference between the common good and the public interest?

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: I would like to see the amendment to the Constitution restricted in scope in the first instance. If experience taught us the change was right, fair, impartial and had no political influence brought to bear on it, perhaps we could consider expanding it. It may be dealt with in legislation. The headlines in any newspapers in future could be cause for an inquiry in these Houses. I have no...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Mr. Justice Hardiman's judgment made that very clear.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: It is a very wide issue.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Would it be an offence for an external person to try to influence the committee?

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: At €100 million per book.

Seanad: Twenty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Judges' Remuneration) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire chun an Bhille tábhachtach seo, a dhéanann leasú ar Bhunreacht na hÉireann, a phlé. Aontaím le móran den mhéid atá ráite ag an Aire mar gheall ar an leasú seo. Presumably, this Bill has arisen because of a failure by some judges. Some 126 of 147 judges accepted the voluntary scheme set up by the Judiciary and the Revenue Commissioners...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Jim Walsh: The Comptroller and Auditor General has issued his report and, as usual, it is getting a fair amount of airing in the newspapers. It will also go before the Committee of Public Accounts. Will the Leader arrange a debate on that important document? I have always felt that while the comptroller will identify places where money was wasted in the order of perhaps tentative millions, based on...