Results 6,221-6,240 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: These amendments seek to set out the statutory regime in respect of the staff and the chief executive of the board. I am sure neither the Minister, nor I or anyone else wants this to turn into a large quango. I do not believe that will be the case. The Parole Board currently operates efficiently on limited resources and I do not see any reason it should have to become much bigger as a...

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: These amendments amend the Part of the Bill that governs the Parole Board. Amendment No. 17 seeks to provide a more precise definition of the functions of the board than was outlined in section 7 of the Bill as originally drafted. I am happy to go along with that. The amendment is effective and beneficial. As the Minister stated, amendment No. 18 sets out specifically what the...

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome this debate on the Parole Bill and I share the sentiment expressed by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on our joining together to enact it. I put down many amendments which got through on Committee Stage and I have not put down further amendments for this Stage. I support the amendments the Minister has referred to, namely, amendments Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, which in effect expand and...

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is our Bill.

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report Stage (2 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Show the Minister, Deputy Ross, how to do it.

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report Stage (2 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I reckon everyone here shares the same objective. What happens when a court comes to consider the new section 2A of the 2013 Act? The legislation, as drafted at present, seems fairly clear to me. The proposed section 2A(1) states: "This section applies to proceedings brought by a mortgagee seeking an order for possession of land to which the mortgage relates and which land is land to which...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report Stage (2 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I want to give some indication of my thinking on this issue. I will not say that we hold the balance of power but we have a significant influence regarding this amendment. I am in the same position now as I was before the committee. Regarding what the Minister of State just said, I do not think it is a good point to claim that we should oppose this amendment simply because people are going...

Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report Stage (2 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I tabled amendments similar to those tabled by Deputy Ó Laoghaire on Committee Stage. I did not press them on that Stage. I recollect they did not proceed to a vote. I did not press the amendments because the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, very sensibly informed me that if we did, it would delay the progress of the legislation and mean it would not be enacted. I openly expressed my...

Courts (Establishment and Constitution) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister of State is correct that no amendments were tabled on Report Stage. We have been supportive of this legislation since it was introduced in the House. It is important. As the Minister of State has said, the Court of Appeal is an extremely busy court. Since it was established, it has been very efficient in dealing with appeals from the High Court and in taking the pressure of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (2 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 336. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí allocated to provide security to concert goers at a concert (details supplied); the cost of such security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27959/19]

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019: First Stage (27 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 by increasing the maximum sentence that can be imposed for the possession of a knife to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate any person. I seek leave to introduce legislation entitled the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019. The purpose of the...

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2019: First Stage (27 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Election of Temporary Chairman (27 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I nominate Deputy Colm Brophy to be our Chairman for today.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions which will be taken to address the use of social media and technology in the cocaine trade, and the increase in cocaine use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26869/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Earlier this month, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction published a report that was quite worrying for this country. It recorded that the use of cocaine and crack cocaine is increasing faster in Ireland than in most European countries, and that cocaine has become purer and more plentiful due to what is referred to as the "Uberisation" of the trade. What is the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is worth reading the report produced by this European centre closely. They examined 30 European countries and recorded that more people in Ireland had used cocaine in the past 12 months than in any other country apart from the United Kingdom and Spain. That is a worrying development. The report also indicates that the trade in cocaine has changed and has become, in a way, similar to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree with the Minister. The Government and society needs to provide more information to the public about the link between cocaine use and criminal activity. We see how people respond to information when it is given to them. Many people now realise the risks associated with the use of plastic and, because of that, they are changing their practices. They recognise that there is a threat...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister will agree it is essential that we get accurate information in respect of reported crime and the recording of crime. Without it, we cannot formulate proper policy responses. The Minister mentioned the crime statistics for the first quarter of 2019. In many respects, they reveal the point I wish to make. For example, the increase of 10% in sexual offences is a matter about...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The State is improving in terms of how it deals with people who report sexual offences. Many people who report them are very satisfied with the response they get from An Garda Síochána. However, the point I was making was slightly different. For instance, on knife crime, we know that some 2,000 knives were seized in 2018, compared with 1,600 in 2017, but we do not know the extent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 36. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the ongoing work of the Central Statistics Office on crime statistics; the actions taken by him to ensure trends in crime are identified and that appropriate policy responses are formulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26868/19]