Results 781-800 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: Will the Minister for Social Protection attend the House for a debate on pensions? It is essential we have a strong, analytical and informed debate on the issue. Recent reports have shown that young people who have the opportunity to pay into pension schemes because their employers are making contributions are not doing so. As a consequence, they will find themselves disadvantaged in later...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the provisions contained in the Bill. As an island nation, our shipping and fishing industries have been negligible compared to those in other maritime countries of similar size. It strikes me that there is scope for the development of both. Our fishing rights went when we joined the European Union; we traded them for benefits in the agricultural field. Subsequently, we came to...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: -----if he will outline the criteria and the costs involved and compare them with rates in other countries. We should encourage growth in the merchant fleet and I hope we can attract as many as possible to register under the Irish flag. As I stated earlier, our merchant fleet is very small compared with other countries, such as those of Holland, Germany and Denmark. They have considerably...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator Colm Burke in his criticism of the Government for the changes that will be to the detriment of women who will have children after 23 April when they will be deprived of maternity benefit, but I do not share his surprise. Given everything the Government has done, particularly if one goes back to it legalising last summer unnecessarily the aborting of babies, where it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am flummoxed by the Government's audacity to bring forward Bills that it purports to be in the interests of children when it already has a particular track record. Its legacy will be horrendous for children. I support the call made by my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, for a debate on and an appropriate commemoration of the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf. It would be a pity if...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: Gabh mo leithscéal nach raibh mé anseo don chruinniú iomlán.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I apologise. I had to attend another committee meeting and the Seanad, as I explained to you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I note from the submissions that many acknowledge that the best interests of the child should-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I will say that at the end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: If you hear me out, Chairman-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am asking it of someone who would disagree with the statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am happy to put the question to whoever wishes to take it. If you listen to the question, Chairman, I do not think you will have difficulty with the way I put it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the fact that many of the submissions acknowledged that the best interests of the child should be the cornerstone of the Bill. Would any witness disagree that the best interests of the child should be absolutely paramount? If so, will they say why not? I expect that everyone agrees and that there will not be an answer to the question. However, if someone disagrees with that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of Children and Family Relationships Bill 2014: Discussion (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I accept that.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, I have about one minute to finish. Would it be possible to have an extension of time because I think the Minister of State might want to come in as well?

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I agree with what the Minister of State has said with regard to the challenge. It is banishing two important aspects of human rights, one is the right of non-discrimination against people who are in employment. I also welcome the approach that she has embarked on, that of a consultation process, because there are constitutional issues involved. It should be thought out and done in such a...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Leader for an early debate with the Minister for Finance on the sell-off of the IBRC loan book and also, perhaps, others that may be pending. The Minister has been sure-footed but on this issue he has completely missed the point and, in my opinion, has abandoned those hard-pressed mortgagors who need support. We were all elected to support citizens who are in difficulty,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I second the proposal by my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, to amend the Order of Business. The Commissions of Investigation Act was not intended to provide for purposes of political obfuscation. The issues in this case can be dealt with purely by ascertaining the facts from those who know precisely what went on. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate at an early stage on the United...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: So much for Labour's transparency.