Results 2,861-2,880 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: As I said earlier when I rambled from group 3 to group 4, sustaining independent and impartial journalism is an important point. Politics needs a free press; it is important that it is open to scrutiny and criticism. However, people plying certain personal agendas brings the entire system into disrepute. There is a little of that taking place at present. The problem is that if it goes...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I concur with the Senator fully. Reverting to a previous point, the channel will be a way through which to communicate with people directly. Many people watch Question Time in the Dáil when it is broadcasted and comment to us afterwards. Where a message is dressed up and mixed with other matters when presented to the public through the general media, it is important that people see the...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I largely concur with Senator O'Reilly's last point. The right of reply, which is provided for and which we very much welcome, enables the High Court to have the flexibility to use an expert assessor in making a decision. How might that be perceived to work in practice? Might it dilute the ability to exercise the right to reply? Will the Minister comment on this important question? I...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Does the public know that?

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I raised this matter when the Bill was before the House. I have some concerns about public bodies which have untrammeled control over their finances, particularly where this applies on an income and expenditure basis. Cost controls and cost-effectiveness are often not applied as diligently as they might be. Despite what we said earlier about salaries in many of the bodies that come under...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Aontaím go hiomlán leis an méid atá ráite ag an Seanadóir Ó Tuathail agus an Seanadóir O'Reilly. Mar adúirt an Seanadóir, tá sár-obair á dhéanamh ag TG4 chun na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn. D'fhéadfaimís craolachán náisiúnta a thabhairt ar chraolachán TG4 as ucht an obair atá á dhéanamh aige. Molaim an Aire as ucht an dul chun cinn agus an fheabhas a chuir sé ar an...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom an Aire Stáit a fháiltiú go dtí an Teach chun an Bille tábhachtach seo a phlé. Senator Harris made a very interesting contribution to the debate on Second Stage. If we return to first base on the law, there is far too much emphasis on technicalities and legalities and not enough on ensuring effective investigation and prosecution within the system. We have seen, and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: We agree on many things.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I agreed with the Senator on the civil partnership issue.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (30 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Senator Norris said today he was going to oppose it.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Yesterday I called for a debate on the economy, especially in the aftermath of the publication of the IMF and OECD reports. I welcome the fact that the Minister for Finance has embraced the IMF report's contents. It clearly signals that there are still huge risks involved in tackling this undertaking. The report recognises that the route being taken is necessary and in all probability is...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Senator Alex White and his Labour Party colleagues have opposed everything the Government has done to address the horrendous banking crisis we have. In fact, however, the IMF report does not oppose the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA. It said we may need to look at nationalisation but in doing so it would not be a substitution for NAMA. People need to get real and in particular the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I support those who have called for a debate on the economy. The imminent publication of the report by the IMF may provide Members with a platform on which to base such a debate. There are three strands to the economic situation in which we find ourselves. One is the banking crisis, obviously, and it will be very difficult, even despite the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, to get...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I wish to share two minutes with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Cathaoirleach to let me know when one minute remains.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Multi-Unit Developments Bill, which introduces regulation in an area in which it is much needed. There have been examples in the recent past of fairly acute problems in this regard, although many of the problems associated with apartment living have arisen from poor design, bad planning and, in particular, a failure to ensure units of adequate size with appropriate open areas...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: The Senator has a chip on his shoulder.

Seanad: Information and Communications Technologies: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: We have had an interesting debate. The comments of Senator Donohoe and others regarding Twitter highlight the need to create awareness in this area if we are to reap the benefits. I remind Members that €80 million was spent in 2008 as part of an overall investment package of €220 million for broadband services. Significant improvements have been made and, while everyone would...

Seanad: Information and Communications Technologies: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I move: That Seanad Éireann welcomes Government initiatives to support the further development of sustainable information and communications technologies in Ireland with a view towards creating sustainable economic opportunities in new information and communications technologies sectors. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus molaim an rún atá os ár gcomhair anocht. In proposing the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I join my colleagues in congratulating former Senator Kelly and wish him the very best in his newfound position. He reminded me he can look forward to a five year term. When we look at Seanad reform, the question of a fixed term should be examined. I support the call for a debate on local government. It is opportune to have such a debate. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and...