Results 2,701-2,720 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I echo the sentiments expressed by Senators Boyle, Ó Brolcháin and Donohoe with regard to the Seanad. The Seanad has upped its game significantly in respect of the serious challenges the country faces. In general, the standard of debate, the quality of the suggestions and the constructiveness is quite good although there are exceptions. Given what we will face in 2010 it is important...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I understand the case is under appeal. What has been underlined is a significant issue with regard to the rights of victims. I compliment the consistency of Senator Cummins in debates on justice legislation and statements on justice in this House. We could examine in the new year the need to rebalance the system so that the rights of victims are much more in focus than they are at present...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State. It is a difficult time to be in government and with the downturn we have seen that the challenges facing us on many economic fronts are precarious, as mentioned by Senator Bradford. I listened with interest to what he had to say and found myself in agreement with much of it, as I did with Senator Harris. He put his finger on the problems. At the end of this...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: Whatever needs to be done should be done. The Government made a decision in September 2004. I have a motion on the Order Paper for some time that has not made the floor of the House which states that this decision should be implemented. It would bring a senior counsel to a rate of €969 per day and €650 per day for a junior counsel, which are very good rates for four hours in a court....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I support the comments made by Senator Quinn regarding the leaving cert applied. Everything he said was correct. We should have a debate on that matter because those who take the leaving cert applied are steering in a direction that is not necessarily academic. Therefore, there must be an avenue for them to access the institutions. We should also have a debate on general education within...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I have heard people in my party talk passionately about the services along those roads. I am impressed by the Minister for Transport and the manner in which he has progressed the infrastructure, particularly in respect of the road network that is essential to our economy. I am sure there is some good reason for what is happening. I support the call for the Minister to come in and explain...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: We had a good debate on the budget yesterday. For the next week and beyond the main topic of discussion for people will be the budget. Nobody here is certain of what exactly has been agreed in the discussions. There are reports in the newspapers that there will be a pay cut of 7% or similar, which I think is too low, plus 12 days unpaid leave. If it is a case of unpaid leave with no pay...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: They could take those days in July and August.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I compliment the Leader on ordering the debate on the Murphy report for Thursday. It is essential that the voices of these Houses are heard in this regard. I agree with Senator John Paul Phelan that while much of the information was in the public domain previously, its compilation in one document sends shockwaves through reasonable people everywhere, who are appalled by it. This underlines...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: My views are well known with regard to the right to life, which is the most fundamental of all human rights. Nobody has the right to interfere with it in any shape or form. However, a very close second to that crime would be the defilement and destruction of the innocence of people. There is a very short period in people's lives, up to adolescence and perhaps a little beyond, where the joy...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Jim Walsh: I listened with interest to Senator Bradford's fair and measured contribution. We have come to expect such contributions from him. I also listened with interest to contributions from Senators Butler, MacSharry, Mullen and others, including the Minister of State. I must admit that I missed some Members' contributions as a result of the fact that I was obliged to carry out other duties....

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I repeat the call I made last week for an early debate on right to life issues, including abortion and euthanasia. I note that the Irish Medical Organisation has produced a document on such matters. The related subject of capital punishment was raised last week by the former president of the High Court, Mr. Justice Richard Johnson. It is important for us to debate such matters at an early...

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I move: That Seanad Éireann welcomes the Government initiative to introduce a biofuel obligation scheme in July 2010, in view of the benefits accruing in terms of emissions reductions from transport, in terms of increased security of supply for road transport fuel, and the increased potential for employment and economic activity from domestic production of biofuel. The motion is a...

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: With respect, I have not yet made the point of order. It will only take half a minute to hear this point. The amendment deals with a proposed merger of Bord na Móna and Coillte. It is unrelated to introducing a bio-fuel obligation scheme that is designed to meet EU regulations. The motion and the amendment concern different subject matters, are mutually exclusive and incompatible.

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I will continue to make my points in my contribution. These two subjects are completely different matters. Standing Order 41 states that if the wording of an amendment is a direct negative to the motion-----

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: The amendment is neither mutually exclusive nor compatible. Where an amendment negates the motion, as this does by taking away the wording of the substantive motion-----

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I am speaking on the motion. I am continuing my point in respect of the motion. In fact, the amendment is an entirely different sentiment and from the point of view debating, particularly in the Houses of the Oireachtas, it is important that the normal rules of debate apply. Therefore, amendments should and must be relevant.

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I am putting the point for the consideration of the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: It is not a filibuster.