Results 4,601-4,620 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister referred to murder, which is regarded a major crime in every civilised state. If new legislation were introduced to deal with sex tourism or trafficking, I would be concerned about the possibility of breaching the retrospective principle. While I would regard such activities as heinous, in many countries the necessary legislation may not have been enacted until relatively...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: It is a technical amendment.

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Is this the nexus or meeting point between our adversarial system of law and the inquisitorial system of criminal law on the Continent? Arising from this amendment, are we trying to confront the situation whereby somebody is brought before a magistrate to inquire into that person's possible involvement in a crime? In that context, are we presuming that a decision has been made to charge when,...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The safeguards referred to by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform include the appointment of a High Court judge. There is a precedent for this and I have confidence in such a process. However, while not part of the Mullingar accord, I support Deputy Costello's proposal that a report to Parliament will give more confidence in the safeguard system. The section provides for a...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad (Resumed). (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: I am relieved to learn that the existing provisions cover a report to Parliament. That matter has not been brought to our attention recently. Does the Minister know when the last such report was laid before the Houses? Must the Taoiseach, under his power to exclude matters, point out that he is excluding certain aspects of the report and the reason therefor?

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: It would be in everybody's interest if a Europe-wide system were adopted as soon as possible because, as the Minister stated, communications systems are generally international. Such a system has not yet been put in place and, therefore, I appreciate the need to deal with the current set of circumstances. I accept the need for these amendments and the only issues about which I want to raise...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: There are some basic principles that must be considered in examining these amendments. First, in an ideal society, the normal rule of law should apply, namely, the process of trial by jury. This should be our objective. Unfortunately, however, we do not live in an ideal society but must contend with subversive elements and those who do not accept the rule of law within the State. In this...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: If we are to have a second Special Criminal Court, it makes sense to have practical arrangements applying in regard to the transfer of cases between the two courts. It is important that the necessary safeguards are included and I am glad they are. Whatever decisions ultimately emerge in regard to the listing of cases in the courts will be open to the possibility of the accused being heard and...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: What is the thinking behind the proposal that the decision of the Special Criminal Court to transfer a trial is final and unappealable? When dealing with the administration of justice, one feels that any decision of a court in normal circumstances should be capable of being appealed and decided by another court. Why has such a decision been made final and unappealable?

Written Answers — Children Act: Children Act (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 316: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the exact sections and provisions of the Children Act 2001 that have not commenced; if he will give a proposed date for their commencement. [5921/05]

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 317: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money which has been expended in refurbishing the Mountjoy Prison complex in the past ten years. [5922/05]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 324: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department proposes to establish a special needs class for Down's syndrome children at a location (details supplied). [5633/05]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (22 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 338: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the classroom circumstances of Gaeltacht primary schools, she will concede the same appointment thresholds for additional teachers as apply in Gaelscoileanna; and if the appointment of an additional teacher will be sanctioned at a Gaeltacht school (details supplied) in County Cork for September 2005. [5865/05]

Written Answers — Land Acquisition Costs: Land Acquisition Costs (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance if concerns have been expressed to him on the inflationary effect on the cost of land acquisition which the purchase by the State of lands at Thorntown, County Dublin, has had or is likely to have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5396/05]

Written Answers — Land Acquisition Costs: Land Acquisition Costs (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Finance the procedures which must be complied with before it sanctions or approves the discharge by a Government Department of several million euros for the purchase of lands; if he will confirm whether or not independent valuations are required; the extent to which surveys are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5398/05]

Written Answers — Land Acquisition Costs: Land Acquisition Costs (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 58: To ask the Minister for Finance the involvement and steps which were taken by his Department in the purchase of lands at Thorntown County Dublin on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5399/05]

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 125: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the surveys, valuations and other assessments which were made of the lands at Thorntown, County Dublin, between 18 January 2005 and 26 January 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5400/05]

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person who, due to having British grandparents, has been issued with an ancestry visa, which entitles them to reside and work in the UK is, as a consequence also entitled to live and work here without further formalities, permission or a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5371/05]

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if concerns have been expressed to him on the inflationary effect on the cost of land acquisition which the purchase by the State of lands at Thorntown, County Dublin has had or is likely to have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5395/05]

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (17 Feb 2005)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister will be much closer to it when I am finished. I do not for a moment suggest an ordinary, decent, licensed gun holder would in any way countenance the incident to which the Minister refers. I record bluntly that I absolutely condemn it. I suggest strongly that the Minister fails to realise in section 30 that ordinary, decent, licensed gun holders are not the problem. The rise in...