Results 12,541-12,560 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: On the amendment, Senator Byrne's first point seeks to have the Minister provide consolidated details of his powers under the Bill and under any subsequent order. I do not believe that legislative change is required in this case but I understand the Minister would be happy to consider making available a further explanatory memorandum when the Bill is enacted, giving an overview of the...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will reply to that question at the end of this group of questions.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: These are technical amendments which provide for the comprehensive definition of "Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform" in the Bill. They also provide for the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 to be defined as the "Act of 1939" throughout the Bill. I will not go through all four amendments because they are self-explanatory, but I will be glad to respond to Members' queries.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I acknowledge Members' difficulties in the Bill being taken on a single day. My colleague, the Minister for public expenditure and reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has already done so, as have Senators Ivana Bacik and Tom Sheahan on behalf of the Government side. Moreover, at the risk of breaking confidentiality, Senator Ivana Bacik raised the issue at the meeting of the Labour Party...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: Exactly. I also thank the Fianna Fáil Senators for their support for the legislation. As I stated, the Government acknowledges the points they have raised. In one sense, the Bill is technical in that much of its content pertains to the technical aspect of transferring functions. However, as Senator Ivana Bacik observed, the functions are set out specifically in the Bill. Section 10 is...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: Again, these are technical amendments to tidy up the text. They concern the substitution of items for reasons of specificity and the inclusion of correct references to individual provisions. In the interests of time, I do not propose to go through all of the amendments, but I will respond to questions from Senators.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: This amendment provides that section 7 of the Official Languages Act 2003 will not apply to this Bill. Section 7 of the Act mentioned states that, as soon as may be after the enactment of any Act of the Oireachtas, the text thereof shall be printed and published in each of the official languages simultaneously. I must be honest with Senators in this regard. Owing to the large number of...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I will take back the suggestions made by the Senators about speeding up the process to see if it is possible to reduce the time it will take to less than one month. I refer specifically to Senator Cáit Keane's suggestion that there might be a way of issuing a draft version of the Bill on the Internet. These are valuable suggestions. I agree that, ideally, the Bill should be presented in...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I do not accept the Senator's argument that this is the equivalent of having stooges passing legislation.

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (15 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's aid programme, administered from within the Department of Foreign Affairs by Irish Aid, is sharply focused on the reduction and eventual eradication of global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) represents a very important element in this effort, reflecting the broad support among Irish people for the development programme. In...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (15 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The Government's aid programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, provides assistance to over eighty countries in the developing world, with a strong focus on the least developed countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. There are nine Programme Countries for the aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance....

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: This is a technical amendment. The titles and functions of several Ministers and their Departments have been changed recently by statutory instrument. These amendments are designed to adjust the provisions of the Bill to reflect the new official titles of the two Ministers concerned, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Justice and Equality. I hope Senators will...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: I understand the Senator's concern. Under this section, it is only on summary conviction that the class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months would be imposed, whereas there is a more serious penalty for conviction on indictment. Almost certainly, if somebody was directly and knowingly involved in these crimes, it would be an indictable offence. The intention of...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: -----pointed out yesterday that it was most likely to be an indictable offence if somebody was convicted under this legislation. As with much other legislation, there is provision for a lesser, non-indictable offence. That is the thinking behind the two levels of conviction. Certainly, it is not the intention to be in any way lenient with a person who is found to be knowingly culpable under...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The reason for the first alternative is to give discretion. For example, if someone worked in a laboratory and had some connection with some material that was subsequently transported or used under the Act, the judge would be able to impose a lesser sentence or fine even if the person was in some way connected. This provision gives the judge discretion. Section 8 contains a presumption...

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: Perhaps that explains it better. When it is related to section 8, one gets a better understanding of the intention.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: In another jurisdiction.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: There are principles that apply with regard to double jeopardy. I am not sure of the legislation to which Senator Walsh refers but it may apply to specific circumstances. My understanding is that double jeopardy applies generally in international law. Does Senator Walsh have information on the specific legislation to which he refers?

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: My officials advise me that the Attorney General's advice was sought and the advice was that this clause should be included in the legislation. We can provide Senator Walsh with some engagement on the specific reasons.

Seanad: Biological Weapons Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Jan O'Sullivan: The double jeopardy rule generally applies and the gangland crime legislation was an exception. There are specific reasons gangland crime is an exception. I understand the concern of Senator Walsh. The advice of the Attorney General is generally not published but there may be a way of conveying to Senator Walsh the reasons behind the advice. I do not have the advice in the Chamber.