Results 1,261-1,280 of 1,421 for speaker:Barry Ward

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: I will not press it.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, line 31, after “matters” to insert “inter alia”. The two amendments are linked in terms of the amending of section 2(7). This section sets down what the trial court may assess at a preliminary trial hearing. I have a small concern that it is unduly fettering the discretion of a judge. Amendment No. 3 inserts the words...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: In respect to what Senator Bacik said, I am not a Government Senator; I may be a member of a Government party but I have no more power over the Government in this House than Senator Bacik or any other Senator. Much is the pity, in my view, but that is the reality of the situation. It would be a real shame if we adopted the position that Government Senators should not table amendments. We...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: I move amendment No. 4: In page 8, between lines 40 and 41, to insert the following: “(e) such other matter as the trial judge shall deem appropriate.”.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: I suggest that already happens. It is already the case that when an accused goes to trial, it is open to him or her to challenge the evidence before the judge, in voir dire- in the absence of the jury - and to invite the judge to assess whether the evidence is appropriate to go before the jury. That two-step process, or the two bites of the cherry that Senator McDowell described, is a...

Seanad: Future of Gambling Regulation: Statements (23 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I know my colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, has been a long-standing advocate of gambling regulation and will agree with what the Minister of State has been saying. I also agree. I particularly welcome the fact that throughout this discussion, both before now and today, we have used the word "gambling" rather than "gaming". The industry...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: I want to raise the issue of the national lottery. We know that the national lottery provides a number of different products, from the lotto to scratch cards. What is very important is that it also provides a social dividend for the people of Ireland. Approximately 28 cent out of every €1 that is spent on national lottery products in Ireland goes back into a good causes fund that...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach. I congratulate the Minister at the outset. There are some really good commonsense, progressive measures in this Bill, stuff that will actually make it easier to run criminal trials.It will make it easier for jurors, complainants and people who are accused. I welcome the provisions of the Bill, which are common sense measures...

Seanad: Water Quality: Motion (19 Apr 2021)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Seanad. I agree with much of what has been said previously. There has been a focus on inland waterways, particularly on inland water courses. I might turn the focus on our coastal regions coming as I do from Dún Laoghaire. One of the major problems we have now in Dublin Bay, notwithstanding the fact that it is a UNESCO biosphere...

Seanad: Living with Covid-19: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: I echo what many previious speakers said about the struggles and difficulties we have had. So many Senators have acknowledged the large number of people who have lost family members, friends and colleagues. There is no doubt about the enormity of the tragedy that is Covid. In the context of living with Covid, it is extremely important that the Government take cognisance not only of the...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: I agree with previous speakers that the measures in the Bill are a proportionate response to a difficulty. It is important to point out that no matter what happens, no legislation we pass will cover every eventuality. There will always be people who require protection and do not get it because it is almost impossible for legislation to conceive of every eventuality, circumstance and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: Today is Daffodil Day and I acknowledge the enormous work done by the Irish Cancer Society. Every one of us has been touched by cancer. Today, I remember members of my family who have died from cancer and the work that the Irish Cancer Society did to support people in that regard. I encourage people to donate or buy a daffodil if they can. I wish to talk about water safety. The seasons...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I will quickly raise two matters relating to the Bill.On the whole, it does good and important things in the context of the current challenges. Both matters relate to the protection of renters who find themselves in difficulty. I am acutely aware that St. Helen's Court in Dún Laoghaire in my area saw the eviction of a number of tenants from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Victims' Testimony in Cases of Rape and Sexual Assault: Discussion. (23 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: I am a member of the Bar of Ireland and a practising criminal barrister. Lest anybody feel that I am conflicted in any way, I am declaring that at the outset. I thank all the speakers. We got some important information there about the victim's perspective, which is probably not heard often enough in this kind of context. I will start with the RCNI. I like the idea of the presumption in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Victims' Testimony in Cases of Rape and Sexual Assault: Discussion. (23 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: A number of speakers, including those from Men's Aid and One in Four, mentioned training for barristers. Rape myths were also mentioned. There is definitely a deficit of information. We are doing training at the Bar - I know because I am involved in it - and it is done on a voluntary basis. We do not get support from any outside agency to do it. Would organisations like the RCNI, One in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Victims' Testimony in Cases of Rape and Sexual Assault: Discussion. (23 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: Regarding the resources, a number of people mentioned what is and is not available in courtrooms at the moment. The other issue relating to resources is separate representation for victims in court. This may be a question for the Department. Are there any plans to change the fact that representation is currently only available in the course of the cross-examination of a witness? Is it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Victims' Testimony in Cases of Rape and Sexual Assault: Discussion. (23 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: I have just one more question because this is also a matter for the Department. The Bar of Ireland mentioned this as well. I hear that trials are now being pushed back to 2023. That is another complicating factor for victims. I ask the Department to address the issue of resources as regards the number of judges available for trials.

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus cuirim failte roimh an Aire arís. Tá sí i gcónaí go breá iarchomhairleoir de chuid Chomhairle Contae Dhún Laoghaire-Ráth an Dúin a fheiceáil sa Seanad. I recognise the good and important work that is done by visitdublin.com, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Dún...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (12 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (12 Mar 2021)

Barry Ward: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais go dtí an Teach agus gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht an méid atá ráite aige fós faoin mBille freisin. On behalf of Fine Gael, I welcome the Bill. It is important amending legislation that corrects a number of aspects of the personal insolvency legislation but also adds to what is there in terms of practical...