Results 4,021-4,040 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: This amendment relates to the nuts and bolts of how the committees will be established and function. Senators who debated this issue on Second Stage will laud the Minister for accepting the point that the county development boards should not carry out this function. County development boards mainly comprise civil servants, including gardaí, as well as representatives of the IDA, Forfás,...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (8 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: We had a good debate on this amendment yesterday afternoon when some of the difficulties attached to prescribing that gardaí should live in RAPID areas were highlighted. I am sure Senator Cummins will agree that Senator Leyden made a good point regarding past practice in relation to the construction of houses for gardaí through the National Building Agency. I am aware of group housing...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Senator Tuffy is reasonable and is a Member of the highest probity.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: It would be incongruous if the Garda and the Army were trade unionised in the normal way, including having the right to strike. One could imagine the social consequences of industrial action by them. Members declare an interest when contributing to debates relevant to their nominating bodies. There is an onus, therefore, on Labour Party Members whose party is a significant benefactor of trade...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: That is different and one is quite entitled to make them. The Senator is also entitled to her point of view.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: If a Member is making a case on behalf of business, there should be an onus on him or her to make a declaration of interest. The same should apply in this instance. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I am not sure I would go along with Senator Cummins in dismissing this idea. I see certain merit in it. If one looks at the analogy which the Minister has made with Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, one will find that people got a training there which gave them an understanding of the Army and they got discipline which stood to them in other aspects of their lives. Many regarded it as good training...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: No, it was not speed, it was distance.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: When I travel to Dublin on the N11, the most likely place for me to see gardaí is on the Kilmacanogue bypass where the speed limit on the dual carriageway is 40 mph. This brings the whole system and the speed limits into disrepute. The use of a volunteer force would allow for greater visibility. It is counter-productive to see gardaí hiding behind corners at the roadside. The police are...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: While other Members focused on the reference to God in the preamble to the declaration, I have some difficulty as an advocate for human rights with its third part. A member of the force will be obliged to declare that he or she will not form, belong or subscribe to any political party. I am not quite as concerned about the reference to "secret society". As an extension of their civic...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Many members of the PSNI would probably make good gardaí but we should be mindful of our recent history. Members of the security forces in Northern Ireland, including the PSNI, engaged in activities that were outside the law and involved loyalist paramilitaries. The Minister must take account of this issue in establishing the new structures. I have alluded to this issue in the past. The...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I have some sympathy for the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes. Whether this is the mechanism to achieve his proposal, it is important that all social strata are represented within the Garda Síochána. This enhances the activity and acceptability of the force, which is important. There may be a better way of achieving this aim without referring specifically to RAPID, under which...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Community acceptance is important to functioning effectively. Perhaps the Garda community liaison officer system, which does much valuable work, could be a mechanism for targeting and encouraging young people in such areas to become involved. While I am unsure that this should become part of the Bill, it is desirable as a modus operandi. The second point I wish to make may be a little...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: The Minister has distinguished between, on the one hand, the modus operandi of the Garda and, on the other, the fact that human rights in their entirety are not a matter for the Garda to police. I often get the impression during discussions on human rights that people have in mind criminals in the custody of the Garda. I am much more persuaded by the human rights of the victims of those in...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: As the Minister said, we have become a very litigious society. In that regard, any loopholes identified will be exploited. Senator Brian Hayes and others have spoken of innocent victims who get caught up in situations which give rise to their seeking recompense for damages. However, existing legislation provides them with such rights. The more we inhibit the Garda Síochána the greater will...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Following on from the amendments tabled by Senator Tuffy and the Minister's undertaking to examine them prior to Report Stage, a related issue is when the Director of Public Prosecutions decides not to take a case, based on the file submitted. Under the current system, the director is not obliged to give an explanation as to why this happens. In some cases this has led to frustration within...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator Tuffy. As my earlier comments indicated, I am very much in favour of providing greater empowerment to the Garda and of the reasonable removal of some of the inhibitions which may constitute obstacles to its effectiveness. If such provisions were made, there would be a concurrent need to provide for strong accountability. I am persuaded to a greater extent by the amendment...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Brady for sharing his time. This is a good budget which has been acknowledged by commentators on the national airwaves who usually would not be that sympathetic to the Government. I am glad it reflected the republican ethos of our party. That has been illustrated by the redistributive aspects in that the tax bands have been widened and, as other Senators have acknowledged,...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach leis an Bhille Náisiúntachta agus Saoránachta Éireann a phlé, Bille tábhachtach. As Senator Cummins observed, the people have spoken. In many respects, today's discussion is a reflection of the debate that took place in the House, prior to the referendum, on the draft legislation. The purpose of the Bill is to prevent the abuse of the jus...

Seanad: Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 1999: Committee Stage. (30 Nov 2004)

Jim Walsh: I am mindful in section 16B of the proposed new section which deals with the corrupt enrichment order, because we debated this matter at the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Right. I advocated that the evidential barrier to criminal activity may well be too high and should probably be reviewed when one sees criminals who are known to the community and the Garda...