Results 2,841-2,860 of 5,893 for speaker:James Lawless

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: I welcome Mr. Murray SC to the proceedings and he also has three minutes. Mr. Roger Murray:I thank the Chairman and members for the invitation to attend in order to share my experience as a lawyer of 25 years in terms of my interaction with the coroner service. The committee's work is of vital importance. The coroner service is an underappreciated keystone of democracy and the rule of law....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: No, because we allow only one speaker per organisation or group. I assure Mr. Murray that Mr. O'Malley will have ample time to comment over the course of our proceedings. We have learned from experience that it is better to have questions and answers for the bulk of the meeting, so opening statements are short for that reason.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: I thank all of the witnesses for their opening statements. Now I will open up the meeting so members can ask questions and contribute in the order that they have indicated. Some of the committee members are physically in this room and others are online. I ask members to indicate whichever witness or witnesses they want to respond to their questions. I advise all of the witnesses that if...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: Consensus has broken out among the committee. That concludes Deputy Kenny's slot for this round. I call Senator McDowell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: I thank Professor Cusack. He will have ample time to engage with the committee in the course of the hearing. His submission is noted and will be published on the committee's website. He can elaborate on the submission as the meeting goes on. That is the way we tend to work. Mr. Smyrl is also welcome before the committee. He has three minutes to make his opening remarks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: Reference was made to being paid per item. What is an item? Is it a letter or a hearing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: What are the items?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: I thank Professor Cusack. That answers the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: That makes sense. I am just looking at the other side of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: I will refer to the panel momentarily, but I echo the point that was made a few times about other jurisdictions doing this better and differently and how exactly that is administered. That could be an illustrative point for our findings from today. Does Deputy Costello wish to direct his questions to any particular witness?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: Ms Ann Murphy of the Irish Examinerwas mentioned. Ms O'Mahony has been in touch with her. Ms Murphy has given good coverage to this issue in the Irish Examiner. She filed a written submission to the committee that was very helpful to us. She was not in a position to attend today's meeting but she made a significant contribution, which will form part of our deliberations when we produce...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: Before we get into a response, the Senator makes a good contribution but the report produced to today's hearing is on the generalities of the system as opposed to any one specific inquiry. I understand that Oireachtas Members will, of course, have an interest in particular inquiries. That is natural and part of our role. However, we will avoid a specific discussion because we do not want...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: What is rare is wonderful - in these Houses anyway, perhaps not in the witnesses' areas. I am conscious that Mr. Smyrl has not come in yet. If he wishes to take the opportunity to come in now, he may address a number of the points raised.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: Most of us were not Members of the Oireachtas at that time but we note that history is on our side.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: We have time for a supplementary round of questions if members would like one. For members' information, there is a bit of housekeeping business to be tended to within this committee session as well. They should be mindful of that but, if members wish to pose a supplementary question, they may.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: I will take supplementary questions if any member wishes to come back in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Operation of the Coroner Service: Discussion (31 May 2022)

James Lawless: Civil legal aid is a topic the committee will examine on another occasion. This has been a very useful exercise. I thank the witnesses and members for their time. The discussion has highlighted the value of the deep dive the committee does when we take on a module and scrutinise it. It has been highly informative for me and I am sure other members will agree. We will produce a report....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (26 May 2022)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister for the reply and welcome the progress. I have been in touch with the Minister's office on this throughout and I welcome that those representations are beginning to bear fruit. I note the commitment that the Department will receive an initial assessment on the feasibility of an alternative groundwater source arising from tonight's debate and the representations in the...