Results 3,481-3,500 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Owing to various events, many people disregard Ray Burke's contribution after his brief appointment to the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs at a critical time early in the process. He was popular with many Unionists. A certain amount of camaraderie, trust and friendship between negotiating parties makes dealing with difficult issues easier. It would be remiss of me not to mention...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: He added, in case I got the wrong impression, that if England were playing the Vatican, he would shout for the Vatican.

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I know from talking to a number of Unionists that they feel there is much to be gained from closer co-operation with this jurisdiction. I hope the North-South bodies will be strengthened. I regret that during the final hours of the 1998 negotiations, they were watered down so that they would apply to areas in which they would have less impact. I would like to think that would be corrected...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I wish to refer to the comments of the Leader of the Opposition regarding the Garda inspectorate. In the past five years, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been responsible for introducing legislation that has transformed matters relating to the Garda, prisons and other matters that come under his remit. The inspectorate, which has a great deal of input...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: Given that the construction industry is a vital part of Ireland's economic growth, it is essential that bureaucracy should not get in the way of progression and development. I accept, however, that there might be dangers in imposing time limits because An Bord Pleanála might issue large numbers of refusals as a consequence. An Bord Pleanála must be properly resourced in order that it...

Seanad: Local Government. (3 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: In raising this Adjournment matter I call for the establishment of a comprehensive review of the Local Government Act 2001 with a view to addressing the democratic deficit through greater empowerment and resourcing of local public representatives. A competitive report carried out a number of years ago found that Ireland had the most centralised system of local government as against any other...

Seanad: Local Government. (3 Apr 2007)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister of State for his response and positive remarks. Will he convey to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the compelling arguments for a comprehensive review to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the system?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: I regret the Government decision not to reduce the fees for lawyers involved in the tribunals, which will continue to be paid at a rate of €2,250 per day for senior counsel and €1,500 for junior counsel. While I fully understand that the issue would probably have become a major political football in the lead-up to an election, I call for a debate to be scheduled to discuss it. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: Will the Leader schedule the debate I called for some time ago arising from the report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on the issue of collusion. Previously, the Leader stated that until the MacEntee commission of investigation reported, it might be inopportune to proceed with that debate. That report is now with the Government and the Attorney...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: Fianna Fáil brought in Part V and the Senator and his colleagues opposed.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: It does not belong to the Irish Nurses Organisation either.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: This amendment may have arisen because of a case that went back twice to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court believed the award was too high the first time the case was heard. The second time around the jury award in the High Court was actually higher. That highlights much inefficiency and it is very costly to people. There is a need to address that. I agree with the Minister that in all...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: Such a judge would take the view the small man was getting money from a business or corporation. While this may have constituted a serious miscarriage of justice, this is how matters stood. Anyone who was involved in legal matters pertaining to personal injuries took such a route. I am unsure whether giving absolute discretion to judges is the correct route to take. The Minister should...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister for his explanation. I understood a literal meaning of the word "direction". I would not be happy with a situation whereby a judge could tell a jury to award €50,000. Are we satisfied under this wording a judge cannot do this and be very prescriptive and direct a jury to award €20,000. What happens if the jury ignores a direction from the judge in such a...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: Senator Norris is not happy with the provision and I do not know whether he intends to call a vote.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: I want to clarify my position. Initially, I supported the amendment and took a literal interpretation of the word "directions". I believed the amendment had a great deal of merit, but the Tánaiste has clearly put on the record that the interpretation leaves the awarding of damages as the prerogative of the jury, giving it strength. Any interpretation of the legislation by judges would...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: I wish to make two points. Undoubtedly, the Minister has put forward the argument and I must concede that the Government amendment is an improvement on the current text. I was taken with the phrase in Senator Maurice Hayes's amendment "and to give due prominence to the correction order". I do not wish to be pedantic, but the requirement to give it due prominence may be inherent in...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: No, we have not.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: Multinationals are profit driven, which is a great motivator, but they have added immeasurably to the growth of our economy in recent decades. We have achieved full employment, which was an aspiration during most of my political life. It was a prime objective of all political parties. It is up to these Houses to provide the ethical and other frameworks so that they comply with appropriate...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Mar 2007)

Jim Walsh: Before Senator Norris had started speaking I indicated I wished to speak on these amendments but if I had heard him first I probably would not have indicated because it is not too easy to follow his contribution. I watched him on television the other night and I admired the passion with which he made his point. He left nobody in any doubt as to his views on aspects of this Bill. I applaud...