Results 6,581-6,600 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all of our guests for attending. I wish to make them aware of the process involved here. We are going to produce a report but, obviously, this is an area of some complexity, which is why we need outside expertise to assist us in preparing that report. There is a lot of agreement between the witnesses here on some fundamental areas. However, it is also worth pointing out that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: In Mr. Walsh's practical experience, if there is a dispute involving a couple who have five children, for example, and the children are capable of having their views ascertained, how is that done? Is it done through affidavits signed by the children, or by giving oral evidence, or by expert reports?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: There is no consistency across the board as to how the view of the child is ascertained.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Am I correct that the constitutional provision, which we all support, and the basis of its legislative enactment have made family law proceedings longer, more expensive and more complicated?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The failure is that we have not resourced the system sufficiently to take on board our extra responsibilities as a result of a constitutional change. On the costs, sometimes there is an option in respect of litigation but in family law one does not really have an option. Ms. Coughlan spoke about the delay that exists for people who simply cannot afford lawyers. How does she regard the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: What can be done to change that? Should the Legal Aid Board have greater resources?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Are State-funded mediators available to people in family law proceedings?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: With family law proceedings, any time anybody goes to court in a non-criminal context, I suppose the best solution is for the parties to sort it out themselves. Could we insert into our report a recommendation that would try to make parties in family law recognise they would be in a much better position if they could try to resolve disputes through mediation and get agreement on access to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree entirely. In fairness, the Mediation Act expressly excludes-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes. The witnesses mentioned with respect to transparency how there could be non-disclosure agreements. Is it the case that in family law proceedings, if it was disclosed on affidavit or in evidence that there was sexual abuse or an allegation of sexual abuse against a child, it is possible this could be subject to some form of a non-disclosure agreement whereby it might not go to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will pose for a picture with the Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Are there practice directions similar to those issued by the High Court-----

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory (19 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 171. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a new State forensic science laboratory; the reason for the delay in the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7787/19]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory (19 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 172. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position with regard to the premises of the national forensic library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7788/19]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory (19 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 173. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the spend to date on preparatory works for a new facility for the national forensic library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7789/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (19 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 274. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the projects which have been delayed as a result of cost overruns at the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7791/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (14 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 116. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in processing a Garda vetting security clearance application by a person (details supplied); the expected timeline for the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7578/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Issues (13 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 103. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the consideration given to the effect of the non-application post Brexit of Regulation 2201/2003 on recognition of divorces and child abduction cases involving the UK and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7233/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: We did not get Accenture to put it in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Interim Report on Review of Youth Referrals: An Garda Síochána (13 Feb 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Commissioner, assistant commissioner and chief superintendent for coming in. Am I correct in assuming that the problem, when one looks at the statistics in the slides, has been virtually solved at this stage? When one looks at 2016, 1.4% of referrals were not progressed appropriately and in 2017, it is down to 0.7%. Has the problem been solved and does Mr. Harris have...