Results 2,601-2,620 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: This House and the Dáil established those tribunals. We must now assess the serious fallout from them.

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Second Stage. (22 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: I welcome this progressive Bill which deals with an area that has come into sharper focus as a result of the economic downturn and the difficulties people face in paying fines and debts. The Bill distinguishes for the first time between those who have the capacity to pay and those who willfully refuse to pay them. I think this will be viewed as an equitable measure. The indexation...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Second Stage. (22 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: Dé Máirt seo chugainn. Committee Stage ordered for Tuesday, 27 April 2010.

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Second Stage. (22 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: Ag 2.30 p.m. dé Máirt seo chugainn.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am struck by the consensus across the House on the profligacy and overpayments in the banking sector. I was particularly impressed by the contribution of Senator Bradford who made clear the need for both ethics and morality in public life and corporate governance. This House could do worse than start a strong campaign in that regard. The abuse of privilege in many sectors of the economy...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: We need to put a stop to this. I ask the Leader either to bring forward the motion which has been on the Order Paper since 2009 or to explain who is obstructing a debate on it. If we are serious about tackling the abuse of privilege, we have to start in this area.

Seanad: Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage. (20 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chun an Bille seo a phlé. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials who have obviously worked hard in preparing this legislation for us. The Bill, while it restates many of the provisions in previous Acts regulating inland fisheries, primarily sets out a new overarching structure, Inland Fisheries Ireland, which takes over the roles of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am looking for a debate on the aviation difficulties and the restrictions in place at present. I fear they may not last only for a day or two and could last for weeks and possibly months. It warrants a debate in this House. There are pros and cons in regard to it. On the Order of Business there is a motion which will be taken without debate to approve the Press Council on a statutory...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: That is a fact. It is set up by them. That is casting no aspersions on the individuals. The chairman is present in the Chamber. From what I can gather, those who are on the council - I do not know any of them - are persons of very good repute. However, as we know, self-regulation does not work. Will the Minister attend the House to explain why he has been dragging his feet on the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: I was alarmed to hear the Financial Regulator say the banks would continue to replenish their balance sheets by increasing their margins on interest rates. This means they will be allowed to increase interest charges for the very people who had money thrown at them irresponsibly by the banks through 100% and 130% mortgages. This is simply not good enough. I ask for an immediate debate on...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2010: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: Senator Bacik has made an interesting contribution on this and I can follow some of the arguments she made. Obviously, she has personal profession expertise or experience in the area, which I do not. However, it strikes me that if we were to remove the jurisdiction of the District Court there could be a delay in processing these cases. When matters go to the Circuit Court there are...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2010: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2010)

Jim Walsh: Ag 2.30 p.m. ar 20 Aibreáin 2010. Sitting suspended at 12.40 p.m. and resumed at 1 p.m.

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (30 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I add my voice in supporting this good amendment. The consultation process on the safety framework should obviate difficulties down the line, which have emerged concerning the Corrib. I also welcome the introduction of timelines, whereby people must make their submissions within a specified time. I presume the commission will also have to function within a timeline, subsequent to getting...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (30 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the passage of this Bill, but I wish to raise a question. I note the onus will be on the applicant to provide its safety case within a certain timeframe so it can be adjudicated upon for the issue of a safety permit. I can see difficulties with specifying timeframes for the commission because the complexity of the safety case may vary from applicant to applicant. The State is...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (30 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I join Senator O'Reilly in commending the Minister of State and his officials on the introduction of the legislation and the manner in which debate has been engaged in this House and in the Dáil, as can be seen from the many amendments that have come back to us. The Minister has been incisive and constructive and has taken a businesslike approach to the various suggestions, including those...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010: Motion for Earlier Signature. (30 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (30 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I would like to refer specifically to amendment No. 2 which deals with the decommissioning of petroleum infrastructure. As a result of the amendment, the Bill now defines "decommissioning", in relation to petroleum infrastructure, as "taking the facility, structure or installation or any part of such facility, structure or installation permanently out of use with a view to its abandonment in...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I support Senator Mullen's comments, which were eminently sensible. I will return to this issue. I also join Members who have complimented and congratulated the Deputies who were elevated to high office yesterday. Like Senator Twomey, I compliment my constituency colleague, Deputy Seán Connick. His business acumen and ability will be much in evidence in undertaking his new...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I have. He said that the US economy will grow by 3% this year, but because the various stimulus packages in place will expire at the end of this year and there will be tax increases next year, he predicts that the US economy will shrink by 6% next year. We live in the global economy so that will have consequences for every country in the western world. I ask the Leader to move away from...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----on very technical, complicated issues in the recent past. We have the potential to make a valuable contribution in this regard. I ask the Leader and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to be more innovative in the manner in which business is conducted in the House.