Results 2,461-2,480 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: We have a Constitution-----

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----which protects the interests of the family and children and there is an onus on everyone to uphold it. I appeal to the Minister to review these appointments given the emphasis he placed on Legal Aspects of Family Relationships, a paper published by the Law Reform Commission. If the commission's members are not objective, only one outcome will be possible and the traditional family will...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: That is my opinion and I am entitled, as a Member of the House, to make that point.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am speaking to the amendment.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: On the amendment, my concern is about children. I am highly critical of people with a driven agenda being appointed to positions in which they can have adverse effects on children. That should not be permitted and the State is not fulfilling its obligations in that regard. I make no apology for making that criticism. This issue is related to the adoption issue which is fundamental to what...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Time limits do not apply on Committee Stage. I am not trying to delay the House but I insist on being allowed to make my point.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Despite what the Clerk of the Seanad may think, I want to make my point. My view on guardianship is entirely different from my view on adoption. Where children of-----

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Senator Norris discussed guardianship.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am entitled to respond to what was said.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Senator Norris referred to guardianship.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: My view on guardianship may not be 100 miles from Senator Norris's view on the issue.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: When I spoke about guardianship, the Leas-Chathaoirleach referred me to section 90, which in fact deals with the interpretation of domestic violence.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: That is correct. They deal with the issue of children, which includes the guardianship issue to which other speakers have referred. There are issues that need to be carefully evaluated and examined. We have to be mindful of where children bond in a relationship. If civil partnership had gone on over a number of years and children had been living in a good, low conflict environment, that...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach Ghníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. The discussion on the Civil Partnership Bill has evoked deep emotions on all sides of the Chamber and in the wider public sphere. I have embarked on a difficult personal journey in examining my conscience and deeply held beliefs and I am satisfied that I have reached a balanced and principled objection...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, we put down these amendments and we did not do so lightly. Senator Mullen has put down amendments which relate to these amendments and he should be given the opportunity to make his point.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am not happy with the Minister's response and there is no point in saying otherwise. On Second Stage I mentioned issues which motivated us in these amendments. On marriage breakdown, divorce and cohabitation, the graph is moving upwards. There is both a social and an economic cost, about which every Member of the House should have concerns. The amendment would not advance the issue to...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: Senator Norris has raised the issue of suicide many times in the House.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am sticking to them.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: With respect, it has been the pattern in the House------

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----that we respond to the comments made by others on Committee Stage. That is what I am doing.