Results 6,521-6,540 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Overcrowding (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister of State is correct that St. Vincent's hospital requires additional focus. When one considers the figures for the hospital, however, one can see that it requires much more focus and attention than the Government has given it to date. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the number of people on trolleys in St. Vincent's hospital in 2018 was 3,773, which was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Overcrowding (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I acknowledge the suite of measures that the Government has introduced but it is clear that it is not sufficient or appropriate for St. Vincent's hospital. The Minister of State referred to 22 acute beds being opened in the past 18 months in St. Vincent's, which is welcome but it does not take into account the extraordinary increase in demand for services at the hospital and the necessity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 114. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the election observation competition; the way in which it was operated; the basis for selection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12576/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank everyone for coming in this morning. It has been very useful for us. We are preparing a report and are hearing from a wide variety of people. We will consider all submissions made and come up with recommendations at the end. I will start with Mr. Drakeford and Men's Voices. Speaking of men's voices, mine is vanishing so I apologise for that. Mr. Drakeford is correct that family...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: We introduced the Mediation Act 2017 which requires lawyers to advise clients about the option of mediation before they institute proceedings. Certain family law proceedings are excluded from that. However, the Act still does not oblige people to go to mediation. They just have to be advised about it. What happens if one is a husband or wife who does not want to go to mediation but wants...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I would like to ask Dr. Shannon about the recommendation that the family law courts should be changed so we have more specialist judges. Many people who have come before us have said that. Does he think we need constitutional change for that to happen, as was suggested by the former Minister for Justice and Equality and former Deputy, Alan Shatter, or does he think we just need instead to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Regarding the Commercial Court, changes in that context occurred without any constitutional or legislative change. There was just a change in the rules of court. Does Dr. Shannon think it appropriate, as in the case of the Commercial Court, that the family law courts should play some type of filtering role in deciding what court a case should be heard in? I say that because at present...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Just to confirm with Dr. Shannon, in respect of identifying the voice of the child, does he think we need further legislation specifically setting out the type of medium through which the voice of the child can be heard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I also thank Ms Barry and Ms Lord for their attendance. I was not surprised but it is worth noting that the highest level of queries which FLAC receives is in family law. I was also disturbed to hear that people in Blanchardstown and Finglas have a waiting time of up to ten months. What happens if a woman contacts FLAC and is looking for advice on an urgent family law issue? Can FLAC...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The greatest theme in FLAC's submission is that legal representation needs to be much better resourced by the State.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Presumably a person coming to FLAC for advice on family law issues will know virtually nothing about the processes and procedures involved, and the options available to the courts, and consequently will be at a complete loose end when they come to FLAC.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is there anywhere where such a person can find information such as that at the end of the process, the likely court order will be that one parent will be given custody and another perhaps given access or the options by which the matter can be resolved? Is that available?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is a good point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The ideal solution would be if people could resolve their disputes amicably but that does not happen in most situations, which is why people feel compelled to go to court. I wish to ask Dr. Burns about the in camera rule. I was interested to hear him say it has a chilling effect on research. In practical terms, does he think that it is preventing academic research and publication on what is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Do we need legislation clarifying the extent of the in camera rule?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Dr. Burns's submission also referred to the lack of consistency between courts. Does thein camerarule contribute to the lack of consistency between courts?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: In trying to achieve consistency, beside the in camerarule would it benefit if court presidents issued guidelines? How can we achieve greater consistency? Certain judges assess the voice of the child or attain the voice of the child differently from other judges.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (12 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the level of security provided at current and future direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11964/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Mar 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 3. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the need to update the regulations that govern the jurisdiction of courts in civil and commercial matters following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12315/19]