Results 4,321-4,340 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: This is a Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 103, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question "That the Bill be received for final consideration", the Minister may explain the purpose of the amendments made by the Dáil. This is looked upon as the report of the...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minster should be commended for significantly improving the content of the Bill with these amendments.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minister cannot be blamed if Standing Orders of the House do not allow us to deal with the matter more effectively by considering each amendment in turn, as on Report Stage. It is for the House to regulate itself, a matter raised on the Order of Business. I hope the Cathaoirleach and members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will take this on board. Dealing with the amendments...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: They have strengthened the Bill. Improved processing of applications was required because people have an entitlement to expect that they will be dealt with in a speedy manner. The Minister has made a valid point in that if 90% of applications are subsequently found to have no validity, there is a significant cost factor in maintaining a slow process of determination. I would welcome anything...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Cathaoirleach cannot blame me for exceeding the time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: One is resources and the other is quality of management. Will the Leader arrange an early debate on transport? The Department of Transport has been doing a good job since its establishment 12 months ago under the leadership of the Minister, Deputy Brennan. I particularly commend his efforts to inject competition into a wide area of the public service. This House should, in a united fashion,...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the passing of the Bill. I thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Michael McDowell, and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for their comprehensive responses to the points raised and amendments tabled. Many of the amendments were tabled because the Bill is predicated on the fact that the Constitution takes precedence. It was an extremely interesting...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (24 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach inniú. As the Minister of State pointed out, the recent developments in counties Louth and Derry serve as chilling reminders that there are people who remain bent on reversing all that has been achieved in recent years. The fact that, thankfully, there has not been any atrocity on the scale of that which occurred in Omagh almost five years...

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (24 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I regret it is necessary to continue to enforce the provisions of the Act. I also regret the need for anti-terrorist legislation. However, we all sincerely hope the day will come when such legislation will no longer be required. I wonder whether that day might be hastened by the establishment of a truth and reconciliation forum or commission through which many of the activities of the past 20...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I support the comments of Senator Ryan and those of Senator Norris – with whom I am in agreement for the second time this week – in regard to the Railway Procurement Agency. The Minister should be commended because he took the initiative to involve the Spanish and draw a comparison with their experiences, thus giving rise to the potential savings. I agree that the future of the Railway...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: While I understand the motivation behind the amendments, it should be recognised that section 2 places a statutory obligation on the courts to make decisions compatible with the State's obligations under the convention. This provision appears to be quite adequate. Given that people will have to return to the courts to seek recourse and compensation, to remove the courts from the exemption...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Is Senator Norris asking the House to consider amendment No. 31 with amendments Nos. 4 and 7? If so, we agree to that.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: We covered a lot of this ground yesterday on Second Stage when the Minister made the point, to which many Members subscribed, that our Constitution is a document which has stood the test of time. There are probably no additional rights within the European Convention on Human Rights which are not explicit or implicit in our Constitution. Section 5, dealing with the declaration of...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Will the Minister of State consider this issue before Report Stage? It could happen that a decision would be raised in the Oireachtas and then subject to appeal. We try to avoid debating issues before the courts. There could, therefore, be a second reason for addressing it.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Given that the declaration of incompatibility will be laid before both Houses, what is being sought is that the Government would state what action, if any, is to be taken. The amendments envisage that it may not be necessary to take any action, which could well be the case. In that scenario, surely the Oireachtas can prompt the Executive in the same way as the Executive can give a lead to the...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: —to raise the matter if we consider it is a fundamental issue of importance.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Not, if one accepts that the Constitution takes precedence.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I did not put it quite that way.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Senator is taking liberties. If he is going to paraphrase me, I would like him to do it accurately. The argument being made by Senator Norris and others is that when we get a declaration of incompatibility, the human rights convention should take precedence over all other law, whether it cuts across constitutional law or otherwise. That is not the premise upon which this legislation is...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I understand that certain amendments from this point on are out of order and I suggest we take another half an hour to try to complete Committee Stage of the Bill.