Results 4,041-4,060 of 6,389 for speaker:James Lawless

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: This is the first time since the onset of the pandemic that we have had a physical quorum, which is something I welcome. It is great to see faces around the table again and not to be here on my own as was the case during the dark times of the past few months. I want to check the sound and acoustics. We previously had a hybrid meeting and there was some delay with sound. I take it that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: Very good. I remind members and witnesses, as usual, to turn off their mobile phones or to switch them to flight mode. It is not that the sound necessarily carries but it can interfere with the recording and broadcast at times. The purpose of this meeting is to have an engagement with a number of stakeholders, all of whom had made written submissions to assist the committee in its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Ms Byrne. I am sure that members will have plenty of questions as we move forward. I call Ms Kenny from Victim Support at Court.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Ms Kenny. I call Dr. Hartney from the National Disability Authority.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I am sorry to cut off Dr. Hartney's flow, but I am conscious that we must move on with the meeting because of our tight timeline. Dr. Hartney may wish to finish that last sentence, and then we will move on to the next speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Dr. Hartney for her contribution and I apologise for having to interrupt her. It is because we have a tight timeframe and we must keep each speaking slot to a designated length. However, there will be more opportunities to contribute during the meeting. I call Ms Angela Denning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Ms Denning. As our final witness before we go to the members for questions, I call Ms Nicola Matthews.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank the witnesses for their very informative opening statements. I have a number of questions and I will focus on the contributions of Ms Denning and Ms Matthews. I will take off my Chair's hat for this interaction and be a little parochial. Ms Denning spoke about courthouses in other countries. I was quite interested, and it was probably also of interest to the Department of Housing,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: That is understood and I thank Ms Denning. I agree with her sentiments and those of the local authority on the town centre location. It is a fine building. It has a common facade with the Old Bailey. It is an impressive building and it dominates the landscape on the main street. There are certain retail and hospitality benefits to having that activity on the street. I agree with keeping...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: There was an issue in the meat factories earlier in the past year and a half where outbreaks in the workplace were not being reported because they were reported on the basis of residence rather than of the workplace. Ms Denning said the HSE had not advised the Courts Service of any issues and I wonder if that could be the reason. We might come back to that later in the meeting or offline....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: Does Senator Ruane wish to direct the questions to anybody in particular?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Ms Denning very much for her answer. Hammond Lane is probably of interest to all committee members. We will not get to hear from the Bar Council and Dr. Hartney in this round but Senator Ruane can come back in on the second round. Deputy Daly is next and he has seven minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I agree. While I was critical in some respects earlier, the links among prisons have been a major success of Covid. They make more sense than transporting prisoners around the country to court. That has worked well and the Courts Service should be commended on it. It is a good idea to keep it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: Since I invited Dr. Hartney to respond to an earlier comment, I will give an extra minute but I do not believe I will be able to take in the second group. We will hear from the Bar Council representatives first and then see how we do. I will give a little extra time in the slot because of the fact that I intervened. I invite the Bar Council representatives to contribute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: I thank Ms Kenny. We will move to Deputy Niamh Smyth, who has seven minutes for her questions and answers. She will be followed by Deputy Martin Kenny.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: Is the question for the representatives of the Bar Council?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: Whoever wishes to answer may do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Courts and Courthouses: Discussion (28 Sep 2021)

James Lawless: Some of those appeal hearings were held from direct provision centres, etc., during the most recent lockdown, which I am sure caused difficulties. Does Ms Denning wish to respond to the Deputy's question? If other members of the panel wish to jump in, they are welcome to do so.