Results 7,861-7,880 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary) (30 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will take less than two minutes. I thank the Minister for coming in. It is important the overtime is available for gardaí throughout the country between now and the end of the year. Why has the overtime increased so significantly? In 2014 it was €37 million but in 2017 it will be €130 million. What is the reason for the enormous increase?

Disclosures Tribunal: Motion [Private Members] (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: The motion before the House seeks, in general terms, an amendment of the terms of reference of the disclosures tribunal in order that it can take into account what are referred to as "the recent revelations regarding the Department of Justice and Equality". In discussing the motion, it is important to take ourselves back to 16 February when the House, and the Seanad on the following day,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the professor for his illuminating and unambiguous statement. It is helpful to us for a witness to be so clear on his views on the issue. One problem we have in Ireland sometimes is that we are imprecise in our use of language. Sometimes this issue is referred to as the right to die. Last week, a professor from London acknowledged to the committee there is no legal right to die,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I think we can agree there is no such thing as a right to die. One justification for what can be called assisted suicide is that sometimes people might be suffering unbearably or might be terminally ill. Presumably, care has changed considerably from 100, 50 or even 30 years ago. Are the days of people dying in unbearable suffering over or does that still happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is Professor O'Neill concerned that if a regime permitting assisted suicide in Ireland existed that it would put considerable pressure on older people who may feel they have become a burden on their family?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I took from Professor O'Neill's presentation that part of the origins of the argument that we should facilitate assisted suicide or permit it in our legal system is society's perception of what is perfection and that if it deviates from that, that people think that life is worth less than what it usually is. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Dr. Campbell for attending the meeting. I welcome the fact that she is a philosopher. Too often when we debate issues such as this they are defined in the context of rights and laws. Many lawyers address us, so it is interesting to hear from somebody who is examining it from a philosophical background. Dr. Campbell indicated at the outset that the origins of the debate by people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is slightly different from the autonomous argument. If one considers other arguments outside of people wishing to kill themselves, we disallow or prevent people from using serious drugs that will harm them. We intervene in that way. Dr. Campbell is stating that the State should only consider changing the laws if there are circumstances where there is an unbearable suffering. Is that right?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Why can they not do that irrespective of whether they have an illness? If we are seeking to value the autonomy of the individual, why restrict it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In a situation, for example, where a 22 year old suffers unbearably from manic depression, the State should not permit that person to receive assistance to kill himself or herself.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Dr. Campbell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Ms Hall for attending. The term "disabled person" covers a large number of people, including those who are born with a disability and have a good quality of life throughout and, on the other side, a 40 year old who is involved in, for example, a car crash and becomes quadriplegic overnight. Would Ms Hall differentiate in any way? Would the latter example of someone enduring a car...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is interesting. The proponents of the argument consider it from the point of view of the rights of the individual - I am an individual, I am autonomous, I have rights and I should be allowed to do what I wish to do. Ms Hall's contribution is valuable. As legislators, we have to take into account society and broader groups within it. I suspect that many people who are disabled do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ms Hall mentioned how Disability Action had not been challenged on its position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I find that curious. Is Ms Hall's point that, when she makes her argument in respect of disabled people, it is ignored by those who are advocates of a change in the law in this way?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Ms Hall.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Station Closures (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 118. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs associated with Garda stations that remain closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51105/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reserves serving in An Garda Síochána as of 24 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51303/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Civilian Staff Data (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 174. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian members of An Garda Síochána as of 24 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51304/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 194. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of gardaí available in the Dún Laoghaire district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50826/17]