Results 4,341-4,360 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I have some sympathy with this amendment because drink has a different effect on different characters of people. Some get aggressive, while others lie back and fall asleep. An argument could be made that if the person was not considered to be a danger to himself or herself or others, although he or she might not be able to sit up straight – and people can get messy but may not be...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister's indication that he will accept the amendment.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: The essence of the Bill is probably the definition of drunkenness, something which has engaged the minds of the Minister and the Department for some time. We expressed ourselves reasonably happy yesterday with the definition in the Bill but the more information we elicit from the Minister in this debate, the more clarity there will be. If we are debating it here, it will obviously give rise...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Section 8 deals with disorderly conduct, and I made a point about that yesterday, comparing the fine for the licensee on the one hand and that for the culprit in the disorderly conduct on the other. The Minister might examine this question before Report Stage, with a view to introducing heavier fines for the individual. The first offence attracts a fine of €300, and a €500 fine for the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I mentioned this issue yesterday. I commend the Minister on what he is achieving with this necessary Bill, which addresses matters of public concern. I am concerned with the balance, given the responsibility of the licensee. The licensee has a responsibility but so has the individual. I am mindful of what Senator Bohan said and there have been situations of entrapment, particularly with the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: In my area in the south east the late opening hours have not given rise to a significant increase in disorderly conduct, even on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. However, we have noticed that the special exemption orders definitely do. Our local authority has addressed the issue and has contacted the Garda on many occasions because of severe injuries incurred by people as a consequence of...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I have some support for the comments of Senator Minihan in this regard. In my town a few unsavoury characters used to gather in the house of the parents of one of their number. The parents lived abroad and were not very reputable. A great deal of under age drinking took place in the house, which is why I would not like to see a scenario in which a parent could provide retrospective approval...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: It might be a waste of time to Senator Norris.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: It is very easy to rubbish something, but if one does so, one should be familiar with the facts of the case which has been put forward. I was reminded of the case to which I referred when Senator Minihan was making his point. The case involved a family and a serious and unpardonable crime was committed. Alcohol and, probably, drugs were involved.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: The alcohol problem, which was a serious issue in the locality, was brought to the attention of the Garda, but there was very little it could do about it. The people involved were not being sold alcohol, they were bringing it to the house. It turned out that the problem persisted for a very considerable time and the council became involved. It met the superintendent to see if anything could...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I shall be very brief because we gave this a good going over yesterday. In fairness to the Minister, he invited us to give our opinions in relation to this.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I was one of those advocating a move to 10 p.m. Obviously, I would be pleased if the Minister did that. In fairness, however, others argued that the limit should remain at 8 p.m., and he has come some way to meeting the views of the House. If he can go the rest of the way, great, but if he cannot, I ask that he does not trigger the implementation of the age limit provisions of the legislation...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: So we can continue.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I was going to ask the Minister a question privately on this point but as Senator Leyden has raised it, I will ask it now. Does the definition of "bar" in section 2 which "includes any counter or barrier across which drink is or can be served to the public" include a function room or does the word "and" before "includes" rescue it from that provision? This goes back to the definition of "bar".

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I do not think this is really about equality adjudication. There have been abuses of the legislation, of which everyone will be aware, but that is probably not the issue either. This legislation correctly places a great onus on licencees. In doing so, they will be subject to adjudication by the courts on whether they have complied. Equality officers probably come with a certain perspective,...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I will not say very much more because Senator O'Toole has outlined the position well. There has been huge investment in sporting arenas. I hope that further investment will be made in the not too distant future. It is appropriate that they should have all the commercial underpinning necessary to make them viable. If one goes to places such as Old Trafford and sees the way it has been...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (19 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: Legislation such as this which has been scrutinised at a level unseen in a long time shows the interest of Members in the issue of the abuse of alcohol and its adverse effects. The Minister must be commended for tackling the matter in such an energetic way. The provisions of the Bill will have a significant impact on the problems we have been highlighting and which the Minister undertook to...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister. We have already discussed this legislation at committee level. The Minister has given a good background to the ambit of our human rights record within our legislation and the effects of the European Convention for the Protection Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It must be remembered that this is a binding international treaty from the Council of Europe. It is...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minister is a frequent visitor to the House which is indicative of the amount of legislation he is dealing with, his attention to his portfolio and the frequency with which this House raises issues of public importance. This Bill amends all of the licensing laws since 1833, a period of 170 years. I was speaking to Senator Moylan earlier today and he told me he had recently come across a...

Seanad: Election Expenses: Motion. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I do not always agree with Senator Norris but in this instance he talked sense. I commend the Fine Gael Party Members for allowing Senator Norris to expound their real feelings. Now that Deputy Rabbitte has overtaken Deputy Enda Kenny in the opinion polls—