Results 3,721-3,740 of 5,894 for speaker:James Lawless

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Ms Cunningham. There will indeed be more time to discuss them. I thank the AGSI for its written submission as well as the statement we have just heard. Last but not least we have Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon. She has five minutes. I thank her again for her submission and her attendance today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank the deputy Commissioner. We have now heard all the opening statements. I will open the discussion up to members who will put questions to our guests. We will have some discussion and go around the table. We will try to get every member in once and we may go around again, time permitting. I will get the ball rolling with a couple of questions. I might direct a question to one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Mr. Herrick. I will ask Ms Cunningham to respond but before she does, I will think out loud. I represent Kildare North and County Kildare went into a separate lockdown last August. It was difficult because the rest of the country was coming out of lockdown while Kildare was going back into lockdown. People felt a sense of injustice, rightly or wrongly. I noticed some commentary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I will move onto my next question. There is a common theme. Professor Fennell spoke about clarity. With regard to my previous question, I am not necessarily stating that all of these situations should have criminal sanction, but what alternative sanction might exist? If we are passing regulations that are difficult, cumbersome and onerous on the public, it does strike me that there must...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Dr. Lunn very much for that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I will move to other members. The first hand up is that of Senator Gallagher. For reference, I have noted the following members offering: Deputy Daly and Senators Ward and Ruane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: Senator, do you want any particular witness to respond to those points?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: Some of those points were directed to the deputy commissioner and Ms Cunningham, but, as the Senator said, anybody who wishes can respond. I will start in that order and other witnesses can come in if they wish.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Mr. Geoghegan. I am afraid on this occasion I must cut Dr. Lunn and Mr. Herrick from responding because I am anxious to get to all of the members. I will now move on to the next member. The witnesses who did not get in on this question can come in on other questions. For housekeeping, we have approximately 40 minutes left. Deputy Daly and Senators Ward and Ruane have indicated....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: As one of the 12,000 park runners myself, I completely agree with the Deputy's points on it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: The Senator made some strong points there and many observations. He summarised matters in his final question. Mr. Herrick was first to indicate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Mr. Herrick. We move to the final member to contribute, Senator Ruane. She will close and then we will have responses from the witnesses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: The Senator is spot on in her timing and it was very helpful that her questions were targeted at specific witnesses. I hope they were all taking notes. Am I correct that her first question was to the deputy commissioner?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I invite the deputy commissioner to respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank the deputy commissioner. I believe Senator Ruane's remaining questions were addressed to Mr. Geoghegan and Mr. Herrick. I invite Mr. Geoghegan to respond first, after which we will hear from Mr. Herrick.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Civil Liberties during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion (22 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank the witnesses for their brevity. That concludes our engagement with regard to the time we have. We could easily give another hour or two to the discussion if we had the opportunity. We may return to the topic again. If there is anything that the witnesses feel they would have liked to have addressed, if they wish to provide follow-up answers to questions or if they wish to make...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (17 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: 105. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the development of a shared public sector or Government data centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32337/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (17 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: My question relates to a commitment in the recently published national resilience and recovery plan to provide a Government data centre. Will the Minister elaborate on plans for that? Is it to be a physical data centre, a system to provide a single view of the citizen or both? What exactly is it to consist of and how exactly will it work?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (17 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister. His response was very interesting. I am delighted to hear the centre is to be located in Backweston in my constituency of Kildare North. I am aware of the forensic science laboratory and other State facilities already located there. This will complement the facilities at that location. I know that centre is operating well and it is good to see it growing with this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (17 Jun 2021)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister for responding to my comments. I am familiar with the campus at Backweston and have followed its development. Indeed, I was there for the launch of Forensic Science Ireland and the turning of the sod a couple of years ago. It is great site and it is well located. There is a valuable skill set and talent pool in north Kildare. I thank the Minister for the continued...