Results 2,881-2,900 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Human Trafficking: Motion (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: The tabling of this Private Members' motion has given us the opportunity not just to debate the issue but also examine the various initiatives taken to combat human trafficking. As the Minister said, human trafficking is an offence relatively new to our shores. As a result, we are tackling it with firsthand experience while examining best practice in other jurisdictions. Some Members may...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: What the Chair has said will not stop me from commenting on the Judiciary in general. I accept that with regard to individual cases, we must not get involved. However, there are questions to be asked and we are elected to voice the concerns of the public and to improve the administrative framework relating to our laws. The matter of victim impact statements arose from the Hogan review...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister. This Bill is an important component in the fight against crime. Significant improvements have been made in the context of strengthening the legislative framework to enable us to tackle crime. Public confidence in the criminal justice system has been dented by the fact that known criminals are able to walk our streets almost with impunity. This brings the entire...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Members referred to the Go Safe road safety campaign. While I support the general principle, I have called before for it not to be implemented until such time there is a comprehensive review of speed limits throughout the country. In most areas, speed limits are pitched at an unrealistically low level.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: Gardaí should not be taking the soft target of catching motorists with speed checks in areas where the speed limits are incorrect. I have raised this with the Garda inspectorate, which agrees. Such actions by gardaí bring the system into disrepute. Billions of euro have been invested in upgrading our road network to international standards. Much good work, which I commend, has been done...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: In response to Senator Twomey, the information in the Minister for Health and Children's reply, which I read, was confirmed to me directly by the HSE when I pursued the issue of the accident and emergency department in Wexford General Hospital. In a number of regions the HSE is considering - the process has started in the south east - the reconfiguration of acute services. I was clearly...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I was hoping to contribute after Senator Norris because he made a very disparaging remark to one of his colleagues yesterday. It was typical of Senator Norris, but unworthy-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----of any Senator. We should be able to debate these issues. Senator Norris's ego needs to be reined in somewhat. Even his colleagues on that side are saying that it is out of control.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: It is relevant because I am dealing with a matter that was raised yesterday on the Order of Business. I would welcome a debate on equality matters. The equality agenda, while good, has been hijacked by sectoral interests.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I was appalled that a pub on the north side of Dublin was destroyed by a group from the Traveller community that ran out of control. We need to debate that issue. Publicans, who have an obligation to run and manage their premises, are not in a position to decide on who they will serve because the equality legislation is not being used as intended.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: If the Senator listened more instead of mouthing off in the smug, bigoted way that he did, it would enhance the debates in the Seanad.

Seanad: Monageer Report: Motion (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: The case we are discussing is not unique as similar cases have occurred in Ireland and other jurisdictions. Such events challenge us all to find ways to try to prevent their recurrence. Nevertheless, one must draw distinctions between different incidents. Given that we have just concluded a three-hour debate on child protection issues arising from the Ryan report, it is understandable that...

Seanad: Monageer Report: Motion (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I have followed this interesting debate on the monitor. While the arguments are quite plausible, I must insert a note of caution, which I also did during our previous discussion on the Bill. People view directors as being knowledgeable of every aspect of their companies' running, but that is not the case. In the main, executive and non-executive directors, a distinction that one must make,...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I listened to the debate, which is what prompted me to come in and make a contribution. The law is there and companies have an obligation to comply with it. I have signed compliance notices, which are part of the annual audit. I understand Senator O'Toole wants to have that extended to other areas. He is looking to extend it to areas of which the directors may not have knowledge or control.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: The system should——

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: The system should be in place and it is up to the law to uphold that. One should not put an additional obligation within the compliance notice. If anybody has read it, it is already very onerous, has been extended in recent years and there is a thrust to continue adding pieces to it. That should not be the case.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Directors have responsibilities. Where they act negligently, with gross negligence or wilfully incorrectly, they are exposed, and that is as it should be. There have been cases taken against directors in that regard. However, we should be very careful to limit that to situations where people are acting fraudulently or with gross negligence. I would also apply that to the public sector,...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire agus é ag teacht chun an Bhille tábhachtach seo a phlé. I welcome the Minister and also welcome the content of this Bill. I shall respond to the Minister's speech, noting in particular his mention of rent reviews. Obviously, the retail trade will lobby to change the long-established practice within leasing of applying upper rent reviews only, a...

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----but the consequence of their getting the increases has been that the units have been vacated. Of course that impinges on other businesses and on the viability of the centre. People must act commercially. My reason for being very reluctant to legislate in this regard and for preferring that rent reviews can be either up or down would be that over the past 30 or 40 years only upper rent...