Results 3,941-3,960 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Jim Walsh: From listening to the debate, it seems to me that there is a misunderstanding or fallacy. As regards the €2.5 billion and the fact that it is benefiting the pensions industry, we are fortunate to be in the public service and part of that figure comprises pension contributions deducted from our incomes before we are taxed, which the Senator making the point may have overlooked. That applies...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (3 Mar 2005)

Jim Walsh: I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on the national pensions reserve fund. The fund was an enlightened initiative which afforded no political advantage to the Minister at the time. It recognised the changing demographics which there will be a continuing need to address. I would be very concerned if funding for this were abandoned. It could be funded at a lower level. I agree with...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: Senator Kett will give a male perspective on this topic.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: Glacaim leis an "Fáilte romhat ar ais" freisin. I support Senator Bannon's call for funding to tackle the radon gas problem. Radon is a carcinogen and many areas throughout the country have serious levels of it. The incentives and inducements that previously existed to encourage people to do the test were of benefit and should be reintroduced. I concur with many of the comments made about...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: As I did this morning, I compliment Senator Norris on introducing this Bill. It is not often that debate on a Private Members' Bill is extended by 20 or 25 minutes. This morning it looked like we would have no debate at all. I have reservations about the Bill and I have spoken privately with the Senator in this regard. It raises issues which will need to be teased out over a period of time,...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: I accept that the protection of businesses has not been addressed.

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: Other issues, such as succession rights, are well articulated in the report of the Law Reform Commission. When a person who has cohabited in a stable and loving relationship gets sick, it can happen that other people interfere and the person's partner gets cut off. If Ireland is the Christian country we like to think it is, that issue will be addressed in a proper way that takes into account...

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: I am a little at odds with this amendment and would be very concerned if it was accepted. It would be a recipe for industrial chaos in some locations. One might as well not have a Bill at all and stipulate that people are entitled to parental leave such that there would be a free-for-all without any prescribed conditions. One needs to be prescriptive in this area. The Minister is being...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: He is also realistic.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: Is the Senator talking about extending flexibility?

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: This Bill will constitute a significant change in that working parents will have a statutory entitlement to parental leave. This is a step in the right direction in that the leave entitlement of 14 weeks represents almost 30% of the working year. However, we must acknowledge that this will represent something of an imposition on employers and will involve some element of disruption to working...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: The leave can be taken in a block.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: It is absurd to assert that any side of the House cannot table an amendment to any legislation that comes before it, particularly under Private Members' business. It happens regularly on both sides. I join those who compliment Senator Norris on his work in this area, where he has been a champion of change and has approached the matter in a genuine and reasonable way. Equally, however, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: He is not arrogant like the Senator.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (10 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: The amendment sets out the circumstances in which a person will not be surrendered. Let us consider the example of a person being sought by a third state for a serious crime committed in that jurisdiction which would lead to the imposition of a serious sentence if he or she was subsequently found guilty. The offence committed by the person in this jurisdiction and being examined by the DPP...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (10 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: I compliment the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy McDowell, on the introduction of this Bill. It is important legislation, particularly in an era when terrorist offences are more common than people would desire. Only earlier this week there was a bombing in Madrid. It is important that this type of framework for co-operation between states is put in place. I am a member of the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (10 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: Ag 10.30 a.m. Dé Céadaoin seo chugainn, 16 Feabhra 2005.

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (9 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: The Minister of State's time is almost up. He should conclude as quickly as possible.

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is timely that we have this debate. It is approximately 12 months since we had a similar debate, which followed the public consultative process in which the Minister had engaged. That included the conference in the O'Reilly Hall in Belfield which was attended by many interested parties, predominantly media representatives. It amplified many of the...