Results 481-500 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh
- Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: This Bill, like the curate's egg, is good in parts. I welcome, in particular, the efforts to recognise the right of children to their identity, even though more needs to be done in the area. I welcome the improved guardianship for fathers but there is still a need for further action in this area. I also welcome the access for grandparents. There is an unseemly haste in how the Bill is...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on EU Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister for his report. The integrity of borders, particularly the Ukrainian border, is something Irish people strongly support, given our own sad history. Our own borders were breached and they still are breached. I was recently at a dinner in Dushanbe with a member of the Duma whom I know. He provided an interesting perspective on Ukraine. We talked about it and he agreed...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on EU Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: I have spoken to the Minister about this subject. I compliment him on his contribution to reaching agreement on the outstanding Haass issues. Why is clarity not being brought to the detail to avoid these issues coming back to haunt us? Would the Minister like to comment on the BIPA report which highlighted diesel laundering and tobacco smuggling in the Border area.
- Seanad: Report of British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly on Cross-Border Police Co-operation and Illicit Trade: Statements (10 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. As a member of Committee A, I can attest to the considerable amount of time that went into compiling this report. It was in the first instance conducted by way of hearing evidence from the various people involved in this area, including customs officials, police from the North and the South, the Minister for Justice and...
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: I suggest to some in the Labour Party and Fine Gael that they replay the record of their statements in the House. Last night, a very good Bill, the Family Home Mortgage Settlement Arrangement Bill 2014, was introduced in the other House by Deputy Michael McGrath, on which I commend him, which would have removed the bank veto.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: That Bill would have solved some of the problems which were identified in this House at the time the then Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, was ramming through the insolvency legislation. It was obvious at the time that its provisions would neuter any effectiveness the Bill should have had. In Wexford 13.09% of people with mortgages are in default. The level of arrears ranges from 10.2% to...
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: I am asking for a debate on the issue. I hope Deputy Willie Penrose will bring forward a Bill, or if not, the Opposition will do so, to reduce the terms for bankruptcy from three years to one year. In normal circumstances I would not support such a Bill but we are not in normal circumstances.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: Senator Conway is right that we are in extraordinary circumstances. As a consequence of all of this we now have people who are suffering enormously and who have no hope for the future, neither for them nor their families. There is an opportunity for us to set this right.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: It is easy to talk. What we need is action. We have introduced the action.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: We had introduced the Bill.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: The code of conduct on mortgage arrears was voted through in this House-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: -----and actually ensured it was easier for the banks to repossess.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: Rather than cry crocodile tears-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: -----the Government should be honest with people and take action on the issue. The Minister with responsibility in this area is in the other House ramming through legislation which will have serious ramifications for children.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: She is ramming it through in the same way as the insolvency Bill and the water services Bill were rammed through.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: We have seen the consequences for people of doing that.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: Believe me, there are political consequences which the Government will be exposed to in the next 12 months for its failure to act in these areas.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: On a point of order-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: It is important that we do not abuse the privilege we have in this House.
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)
Jim Walsh: My understanding is that we do not name people who are not here to defend themselves.