Results 7,741-7,760 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: I support that as it is such a transformative piece of legislation. It is important that we have a review sooner rather than later to see that it is working effectively.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am supportive of putting expressly into the legislation a requirement that any recommendation should be based on merit. That is extremely important. The objective of every person in this room is to ensure that those appointed to the Bench get there because of their ability and the type of judge that they will be rather than any political affiliation, friendship or other connection that...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to refer to two amendments about which I have not spoken previously. The first is amendment No. 21 in the name of Deputy Clare Daly on which the Minister has just spoken. This proposes including an express reference to the fact that a person's political affiliation should not be considered when the recommending body is considering their application. The purpose behind the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: No, it is not. In other countries, many people who made excellent judges previously had political affiliations. The same is true in this country, but we will not go into that. I have not yet referred to my amendment No. 124 which is in this grouping. I know the Minister did not have an opportunity to discuss it. In amendment No. 124, Deputy Jack Chambers and I seek to set out the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the Minister. I welcome the decision to opt in. I think it is the right thing to do. When is the legislation seeking to transpose the directive to be brought before the Dáil?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: Obviously the decision of the Supreme Court was taken on 30 May 2017. The court made its declaration then and gave the State six months to get its act together. The response came on 30 November. From what the Minister has said in his speech, it appears that the court was not receptive to the idea of waiting until the legislation was in place, and ruled that on 9 February 2018 the law will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: As such, an applicant will not be entitled to seek work on 10 February?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is there any possibility that this will entitle applicants to damages from the State, on the basis that they have a constitutional right to seek work but they are being prevented from doing so?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: What is the Minister doing to speed up the process of review? It was indicated that people cannot apply if they are in the appeal process or the review process. Is the Government doing anything to speed up the review process at present?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Directives: Minister for Justice and Equality (17 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is the initial stage. Everyone wants to have the initial decision made within a period of nine months. Can we do anything to speed up the review process that follows if somebody decides to seek judicial review before the courts? Has the Minister contemplated appointing more judges to deal with this, given the lists of asylum seekers outstanding?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (16 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: 498. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure by his Department on external public relations services in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54421/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (16 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: 506. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to ensure that gardaí in Ballymun are adequately resourced in order to carry out their work in a safe manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54537/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gender Equality (16 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: 549. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the format of the recent public consultation on gender pay that drew 38 responses and suggestions; the total cost of the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55132/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (16 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: 554. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of family law cases initiated in the Dublin District Court in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55238/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (16 Jan 2018)

Jim O'Callaghan: 555. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of family law cases initiated in the Dublin Circuit Court in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55239/17]

Domestic Violence Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this debate. It is very important legislation. As the Minister is aware, Seanad Éireann has already passed the Bill, which has come to this House. Fianna Fáil Senators contributed significantly to the debate and to amendments introduced in the Seanad. Similarly, in this House, Fianna Fáil Deputies will be supporting the Bill and will...

Bail (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (14 Dec 2017)

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

Bail (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (14 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Bail Act 1997, and to provide for related matters. The Bill seeks to amend the laws that operate with respect to bail and the granting of bail. At present, bail can be refused if it is the case there is a threat or it is believed an individual may commit a crime in the future. That change happened as a result of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations (14 Dec 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 144. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of closed Garda stations that have been sold since 2011, by county; the revenue raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54138/17]