Results 9,041-9,060 of 10,319 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for attending. They are to be commended on being able to have a rational and civilised discussion on this very emotive issue. I note Mr. Tom Curran stated he is aware that if a law is brought in, it must be in such a way that it cannot affect the vulnerable. He said that he wants a law brought in that would apply to people such as his late wife, Marie. How can this...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Should there be a restriction on age? What have to be the exceptions? Mr. Curran mentioned earlier that a Bill had been drafted. I am sorry I have not had a chance to look at it. What grounds are in that Bill that would merit exemption from the prohibition on assisted suicide?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Say I decide I want to end my life.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Let us say I am squeamish and I do not want to commit suicide. Instead, I want to go to somewhere like Dignitas.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: With what type of illness would one draw the line?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Who decides what is life-limiting?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Would a doctor certify that Jim O'Callaghan has a life-limiting illness?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: That is the reason I am asking these questions. We are lawmakers. At the end of this process, we have to prepare a report and decide whether we recommend if there should be amendments to the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act. If we are going to do that, we have to set out a basis as to what should be the grounds for exemption from prosecution for assisted suicide. Obviously, Mr. Tom Curran has a...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: If it is to be a life-limiting illness, how do we deal with somebody suffering from serious depression?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Professor Lewis for coming here to talk to us. While she is a professor of law, there is no reason that she should have any knowledge of Irish law. Under our Constitution, the courts have established there is no right to suicide in this country using the principle of unenumerated personal rights. An argument has been advanced that there is an issue of equality between individuals...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: The case of Pretty v. the United Kingdom was referred to by the Irish Supreme Court in the case involving Marie Fleming.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: There is no right to die under Article 2. It may be the case under the rights of private life under Article 8, as the professor has said, that states may be allowed to introduce laws in order to prevent an individual being distressed at the end of his or her life. Is that a general correct assessment of the situation?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Sometimes in the past this country has been compelled to change its laws because of findings by the European Court of Human Rights. Am I correct in stating that the law that exists in Ireland at present does not conflict with European rights law and they are compatible?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: Yes. At the moment we are in compliance with law.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: What is the current situation in the UK, in England and Wales?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: What does Professor Lewis think of this method as a means of dealing with the issue in Ireland, in other words, the law would not change but guidelines would be issued by a prosecutor to give clarity to people as to what is permissible and what is not permissible? It sounds like an Irish solution to an Irish problem, even though it is an English solution to an English problem.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Right to Die with Dignity: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Professor Lewis.
- Rural Crime: Motion (21 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: I wish to conclude by thanking every Deputy who contributed to this debate. The fact that so many Deputies have spoken indicates what a serious problem this is throughout the country. However, it also indicates that there is great resolve within the House and recognition that if we can provide leadership, we can fight back against rural crime, which is causing so much fear in our...
- Rural Crime: Motion (21 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: I believe I have three minutes, a Chathaoirligh. Is that correct? I am sharing time with colleagues.
- Rural Crime: Motion (21 Nov 2017)
Jim O'Callaghan: I move:"That Dáil Éireann:notes:— the fear that exists in local communities posed by the threat of crime to people and their property; — the failure of the Government to respond to the need for extra, and more visible, Gardaí on the ground in local communities; — the increased ability of criminal gangs to access rural areas because of the improved...