Results 3,161-3,180 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Lisbon Treaty: Statements (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: However, the world has moved on into the arena of globalisation. We have built our economy on various intellectual competencies and services which are sought after throughout the world. It is extraordinary that Ireland has become the world's largest exporter of computer software. This small island nation on the west coast of Europe has achieved that pre-eminence through foreign direct...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: Section 114(1)(d) provides, for the first time in legislation, an obligation for the national broadcaster to assist and co-operate with public bodies regarding the dissemination of information "in the event of a major emergency". It is important that the transmission capacity be available in order for this obligation to be honoured in an effective manner. Studies have been carried out by...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I do not wish to prolong the debate. As I indicated on Second Stage I am broadly supportive of Senator O'Reilly's amendments. There is a need to ensure the timespan of the licence is sufficient to give security and confidence in investing in radio stations into the future. The proposed seven-year term of any contract is an issue. On Second Stage I would have said that the ten-year licence...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: Táim ar aon aigne leis an Seanadóir Ó Tuathail go bhfuil sé oiriúnach duine ón Ghaeltacht nó duine a bhfuil suim agus grá aige don Ghaeilge a bheith ar choiste lucht éisteachta agus lucht féachana. Blianta o shin, craoladh clár an-mhaith "Trom agus Éadrom" ar an dteilifís. Bhí suim ag a lán daoine sa chlár sin, fiú daoine nach raibh mórán Gaeilge acu. Tá sé...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, we have not covered amendments Nos. 85a, 86b, 88a, 90a, 96a or 128a.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: Will that be the next group?

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I will be brief. Around the House we are ad idem on the dangers of drink advertising. I was generally supportive of Senator O'Reilly's amendment, particularly when reading subsection (4) which deals with junk food. The Minister of State has clarified this pretty well in that under section 42(9), the advertising code remains operative. As such, the introduction to section 42 allows the...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: At 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 18 June 2008.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I will confine myself to two specific points. I was not completely supportive of the earlier proposition of the amendment by Senator Mullen. However, he made a point which struck a chord with me. Some of these advertisements take advantage of vulnerable people. This is incontrovertible. In the Bill, the Minister has outlined that we will have a specific prohibition on advertising certain...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: My understanding of what the Acting Leader said was that we would get further information on the Order of Business in the morning, which does not necessarily imply that the debate will be held tomorrow. This Bill deserves two days and I am not sure it should follow tomorrow but that is a matter for the Leader and the Whips.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: Perhaps Senator Mullen will allow the Minister to respond at this point.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I, too, would like to address a particular point.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: This is an interesting section, as it provides for a film channel and an Oireachtas channel. I wonder how they will be funded. With the advent of digital broadcasting, there will be an opportunity to roll out more choice. Reference was made to regional channels, which the Oireachtas channel could become because local authorities will be involved. I was watching MUTV, the Manchester United...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I listened with interest to the Minister's comments on this issue. With regard to the film channel, his argument is reasonably persuasive in that the only cost really is the transmission of the films, which may be two or three hours long. I can see that it would not require much ongoing expenditure to run such a channel. We had a debate earlier about the heritage channel, a sports...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: Or on the Order of Business in the morning.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: Not if Wexford have their way.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I will confine my remarks to amendment No. 33. I do not see a great deal of difference, other than the inclusion of the word "balanced", between the amendment and the wording in section 42(2)(a) and (b). I welcome the inclusion of these two paragraphs. It would be wrong of the House to introduce provisions preventing broadcasters from making critical comments or implied criticism and we...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: It was suggested on Second Stage that the advertising area as a whole should be examined. A number of Senators raised the issue of curbing the advertising of alcohol and have tabled amendments in this regard. We also need to examine the issue of betting. A number of bookmakers advertise on television. Recent reports highlighted the problems associated with betting for individuals. The...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: I met with representatives of the independent broadcasters association who made a logical and cogent case for flexibility in this area from a practical point of view, which was stated by Senators O'Reilly and Norris. The suggestion made is for 20 minutes advertisement over two hours rather than ten minutes over one hour. A variation of this might be to allow some flexibility within the...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Jim Walsh: "Halls Pictorial Weekly."