Results 7,381-7,400 of 10,435 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I see the purpose of the amendments now. Subsection (7) is to be deleted as it is unnecessary, because it is provided for in subsection (6). We are going to amend subsection (6) by including a reference to section 79(2)(b), so I see the logic of it in light of what the Minister has said. I will support the amendments.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the passing of this Bill through the Dáil today. As the Minister said, this has been 20 years in gestation. It is a sign of the efficiency of this Chamber that we managed to pass it in only one hour and 55 minutes. This legislation will benefit both the public and the Judiciary, and it is a sign that we, as an Oireachtas, are prepared to recognise the need to invest more...

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to clarify this point. My understanding of section 87(7) is that it provides that the name of the judge concerned and the reprimand would be included in a report under the section unless the committee "considers that in order to safeguard the administration of justice that information should not be included in the report". We are removing that provision. Will the Minister clarify...

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I agree that the sentiment expressed by Deputy Ó Laoghaire should be provided for in the Bill. I think such provision is already within the Bill and that he can rest assured that the process will take into account the concerns of the victims of crime.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will not press amendment No. 1 in light of what the Minister said, particularly as it concerns the judicial conduct and ethics committee. The Minister is accepting amendments Nos. 2 and 3. I will press amendment No. 4, however, when we reach section 18.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 2:In page 12, line 24, to delete “12 months” and substitute “6 months”.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 3:In page 21, line 11, to delete “6 months” and substitute “3 months”.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 4:In page 21, line 21, to delete “12 months” and substitute “6 months”.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move amendment No. 1:In page 12, line 24, to delete "12 months" and substitute "6 months". This is to reduce the period of 12 months to six months. It is just for the council to adopt and publish guidelines concerning judicial conduct and ethics or revisions of those guidelines once received by it.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Then I should also deal with section 17, in respect of which I have a similar amendment. It is to change the period of six months to three months. Section 17 deals specifically with the judicial studies committee. My third amendment relates to section 18, which points to the reason for my tabling these amendments. The amendment to section 18 is to deal with the personal injuries...

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is a good point.

Judicial Council Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Judicial Council Bill has been about 20 years coming. The origins of this Bill can be traced back to a report prepared by a working group on a courts commission established in 1999. It was asked to report to the then Chief Justice, Liam Hamilton, on the question of judicial conduct and ethics. One of its recommendations was the establishment of a judicial council to promote efficiency...

Parole Bill 2016: Fifth Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister should not get carried away.

Parole Bill 2016: Fifth Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister is beginning to sound like the Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran.

Parole Bill 2016: Fifth Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to emulate other Members. I welcome the passage of the Parole Bill. It is important legislation and it will be of benefit to the criminal justice system. It will be of particular assistance to the victims of crime who now will know when persons who perpetrated crimes will be eligible for and be able to apply for parole. The victims of crime will now also be able to make submissions...

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: These are all necessary consequential amendments and I support them.

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the advantages in not being the Minister is one does not have to respond on every amendment. I will take up what Deputy Sherlock said. Section 27 which is being inserted into the Bill by way of amendment No. 37 takes care of the Deputy's concern. It provides that the board, in deciding whether to grant parole, shall take into account the nature and gravity of the offence to which...

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Again, this replicates the provision that was in the original Act. We are talking about a revocation of a parole order. When a person is given parole it is legally quite complicated. The person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment and he or she is being released from prison. That has to be effected. The proposed legislation will effect this through the issuing of a parole order....

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the Bill as drafted and passed through Committee Stage, section 22 had a provision dealing with parole orders, section 24 dealt with variation of parole orders, and section 25 dealt with the revocation of parole orders. In many respects there is not much difference between that and the new sections the Minister is proposing, which deal with parole orders, refusal of application and...

Parole Bill 2016: Report Stage (3 Jul 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I appreciate Deputy Connolly's interest in the legislation. When the Bill was originally drafted I put down the statutory provision that a prisoner could not apply for parole if he or she was serving a life sentence until he or she served 12 years. The effect of that, if it is enacted, will take a great deal of pressure off the Parole Board. At present, the Parole Board has to consider...