Results 641-660 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I am not satisfied with that response and will press this amendment. The evidence of the existence of a criminal gang is premised on the existence of individuals who are involved in crime. The opinion provided by a member of An Garda Síochána could very well prejudice an accusation of an offence against an individual and the position should be crystal clear in the Act. There must be...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I do not wish to contradict my colleagues on this side of the House, but this is where I part company with them. This goes to the heart of the Bill. The nature of the offences at issue is such that intimidation comes to the fore. My experience of constituents being intimidated is that it is insidious and pernicious and gives rise to a difficult situation. I appreciate that Mr. Justice...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I fundamentally disagree with the Minister. I do not understand why we are running the risk of proceeding with this provision or why he is refusing to accede to my amendment. There are many elements which come into play in order to form the opinion that a criminal organisation exists. A person of the rank of chief superintendent can call on all of the resources required, such as the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: That is how I read the new section 71B(4)(a)(ii), which section 7 inserts into the 2006 Act. The Bills digest provided by the Oireachtas Library - which I find extremely helpful in dealing with matters of this nature - states: While the section does not address the question of an individual's guilt or innocence it does allow the Member to infer from the previous convictions of individuals...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: We have probably exhausted the debate on these amendments, which are similar, but I want to make some brief points. I do not understand the rationale. If the Minister is dealing with proving the specific offence, it is the direct knowledge of the member of the Garda Síochána of that offence that is required, but at issue here is the opinion of the existence of a criminal gang, which is a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: -----but I notice a distinct parallel with this legislation in regard to the definition of a criminal gang. The Minister said that he takes his advice from the Attorney General. On different occasions in the debate in the Lower House and here he indicated that he would be happy to have the chief superintendent as the designated person to give the opinion of the existence of a criminal gang...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is word for word in line with the definition in the New Zealand legislation.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I have the New Zealand one in front of me.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is Google legislation.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 9, line 50, to delete "any member" and substitute "a Chief Superintendent". The first amendment relates to the evidential provisions as to the proof of existence of criminal organisations. As it stands, any member, or former member - following an amendment in the course of the debate in the Dáil - of the Garda Síochána can provide such evidence or opinion...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Minister did not speak on the amendment yet.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: Senator Leyden is prejudging the Minister.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: As expected.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Minister should not be so sensitive. He is being extremely touchy.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister for outlining the purpose of the Bill. He has not explained, however, why it was necessary to guillotine the discussion on this Bill in the Lower House and the reason it is necessary that we deal with all Stages of this Bill today. I assume that is taking place at his prompting. I raise that issue because we all share the same concerns about gangland and organised...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: Today is 14 July, Bastille Day, and it is not surprising that legislation is being guillotined.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I am rather surprised-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I am surprised that the Leader has not learned his lesson. He tried this stunt last week with the Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill. He tried to have all Stages on the same day, but was forced to take them over two days.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I do not understand why he is trying this again today. This is important legislation. We all agree with it in principle, given the problems associated with law enforcement, but the procedure being applied is unacceptable and brings the whole House into disrepute. In The Irish Times today, Fintan O'Toole has a very good article entitled "Politicians prove they have no self-respect". He...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Eugene Regan: I wish to say a few words about the procedure in this House. As Senator Alex White said, the debates this week have shown that were proper time to be allowed for debates on important criminal law legislation, in particular, the legislation could be improved. That is a simple fact. We do not mind working late and extra days to get the legislation right. History has shown that rushed...