Results 21-40 of 405 for at speaker:Barry Ward

Seanad: Second Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Statements (22 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I also extend welcome to the ambassadors of Lithuania and Ukraine. Throughout the entirety of her tenure here, H.E. Larysa Gerasko has been dealing with this situation. It is awful and difficult to understand. In that regard, I will start with the Minister of State’s concluding remarks. The illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia reverberates across the world. There is no country in...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I acknowledge the importance of this motion and how comprehensive it is. It is not a short document. It amounts to five pages on the Order Paper. It contains much by way of suggestions on what we can actually do. It is constructive and positive. If the Government were in any doubt about what avenues were open to it, this motion would offer suggestions. I am not necessarily saying every...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister of State. We have had an important discussion. What is extraordinary about this is that there is now worldwide recognition that what Israel has been doing is illegal, unjustifiable, disproportionate and contrary to all international law. That is the consensus that has grown in sensible countries. Of course, there are countries, many of which have a very particular...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I am very happy to welcome this Bill. It sets out some important issues we need to discuss in this Chamber. At the outset, I acknowledge the work the Minister, Deputy McEntee, my party colleague, has done in the area. As Minister for Justice, she has put particular emphasis on the resolution of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which all Members...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (13 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I will first say that I appear in court on behalf of the Garda Commissioner and I am a member of the ICCL. I do not believe that either circumstance conflicts me, but I wanted to declare it at the outset. The questions I wish to ask relate to false positives and the concerns in that regard. I have listened to what the Garda has said about this essentially being a data-processing tool...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I want to raise the same issue. What I want to say is not a political commentary on what has happened but to say that sports and politics do not mix. What is really unfortunate about this situation is that individual players who only want to play the game and do their best to represent Ireland are now being put at the centre of a political controversy. They do not deserve that. What is...

Seanad: Death of Former Taoiseach: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: Like others, I join in expressing my condolences to the Bruton family and our colleague Richard.John was a young man both in heart and in body and, at 76, too young to die. Throughout his career, he was young for what he was doing. He left office as Taoiseach just after he turned 50, so the fact that he continued to be so involved in public life, but in a very understated way, is a credit...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: ...4. Section 2 inserts a new section 6A into the Coroners Act 1962, as amended, and makes a number of provisions. I welcome this Bill. It contains important parts. The Bill acknowledges the fact that a sunset clause will come in on 21 February regarding Dublin coroners. In particular, that needs to be addressed. I have no difficulty with that. The Bill goes well beyond what it needs to...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, line 39, to delete “for one further period” and substitute “for such further periods”. On what was said about the terms and conditions, there is no doubt this legislation will substantially change the terms and conditions of coroners. It will not only result in them being limited to holding office for five years, it will...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (1 Feb 2024)

Barry Ward: ...has been, convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty, (c) is, or has been, sentenced to a term of imprisonment for an offence in respect of which he or she was convicted, (d) has, or has had, a declaration made against him or her under section 819 of the Act of 2014 or is deemed to be subject to such a declaration by virtue of Chapter 5 of Part 14 of that Act, or (e) (i) is...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Jan 2024)

Barry Ward: At the outset I should declare an interest insofar as I appear frequently in coroners' inquests as a barrister in this city and elsewhere in the country. I do not have any pecuniary interest in this legislation. It is just to say this is something of which I have a great deal of practical experience and understanding. It is important to point out the value of the coronial service. What it...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2024)

Barry Ward: I want to say a few words because there has been an awful lot of back and forth on this. I would not want there to be any suggestion that the Fine Gael Senators were not involved in this at its core. I certainly spoke to the Minister.

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (24 Jan 2024)

Barry Ward: I will get to you in a moment, Sir Humphrey. The reality is that everybody worked together on this. To be honest, we were disappointed and would have liked a different result. We also understand the rationale behind the decision and why, although the Minister has ceded some ground, she stuck by her faith in the community safety partnerships. My colleagues would want me to say that...

Seanad: Human Rights in China: Motion (23 Jan 2024)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Tánaiste. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht a bheith anseo don díospóireacht thábhachtach seo. I want to respond to the last speech in which it was asserted that the approach in this motion is somehow not condemnatory of China. It is very clear from the words used, expressing concern and opposition and outlining a list of serious issues,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Irish Aid (14 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an ábhair seo a roghnú mar cheann de na nithe i dtosach suíonna. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. The issue I am raising today relates to Irish Aid activities. I wish to put on record my praise for the manner in which Irish Aid operates. Ireland has a model of humanitarian aid and relief that has been...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Irish Aid (14 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: I join with the Minister of State in his condemnation of the Hamas attacks. They were so senseless, so selfish that they have sacrificed Palestinian children for the cause of Hamas. Nobody shies away from the criticism of Hamas in that regard. I watched the UN General Assembly the night before last and the vote that was presided over by Dennis Francis. I agree that it is good that the...

Seanad: Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: I am sympathetic to the impetus behind these proposed amendments. Amendments Nos. 20 and 21 relate to section 16 of the Bill and the skill set that members of the board would have. What Senator Ruane said is absolutely right insofar as the board would benefit from people who have a background in community development or experience and knowledge of human rights and equality. I have a small...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Matters: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: I appreciate that. The committee is now adjourned until Tuesday, 12 December at 4 p.m. when we will meet in private session on housekeeping matters. I thank everyone.

Seanad: Local Government Matters and City and County Councillors: Motion [Private Members] (6 Dec 2023)

Barry Ward: I am happy to speak on this topic. As somebody who spent 11 years in local government, many of them with the Acting Chairperson in the Blackrock ward on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, I have a great deal of experience of the workings of local government, both good and bad. There is an important narrative to local government in Ireland, which is that over the past 25 years,...