Results 1,501-1,520 of 4,915 for speaker:Jim O'Keeffe

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I wanted to come to that on Report Stage. Are we on Report Stage?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: What do you expect us to do at this stage?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Before the Chair puts the question, we are only on section 42.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: No.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I reject that suggestion. There is no question of that; every point made here was reasonable and constructive.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: As the person in possession, I wish to say that we are on section 42 of a Bill with 55 sections. We have not had the opportunity to consider those sections and there are another 30 or 40 amendments that we have not had the opportunity to consider, some of which are serious. Is the Minister going to push on and ensure that Committee Stage now ends, having had a constructive and positive...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I want good legislation. If the Minister wants to push this through without debate it is on his head.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I strongly object to the fact that we have not had a chance to finish the Bill, but for technical reasons I will not oppose this.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Does the Minister appreciate our objective is to pass decent legislation and not to use an empty formula such as calling a division on this issue? We have stood up to that mark throughout the debate. What is happening now is the inevitable consequence of the rushed manner in which the Bill is going through the House. The separation of Committee and Report Stages is a slight improvement and...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Will the Minister clarify the "exceptional and specific circumstances" that will apply to avoid a mandatory sentence?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Can I take it the "exceptional and specific circumstances" are not being specified? This loose reference will remain and it will be a matter for the Judiciary to decide whether a case constitutes "exceptional and specific circumstances".

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I also do not have a magic formula but it is important that we tease out the issue. I can understand the use of the word "exceptional" but what is intended by the use of the word "specific"?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: By whom?

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I support that.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Minister seems to have covered this issue by providing that at least one member should be a woman and one a man. I approve of the approach whereby the third post is open to the most appropriate candidate. On the section, the Minister proposes to establish a Garda Síochána executive management board, which seems to be a pale imitation of an independent police board or Garda authority....

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: We would not want people who are merely pals of the Taoiseach.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: Plastered or plastering.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: The Tánaiste has proved the point. That is my problem with him.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Jim O'Keeffe: There is a time limit on the debate so I do not propose to delay the House on this issue. Whether it is a pay limitation or a halfway house towards an independent police authority is not relevant at this stage. In the absence of a police authority, I support it.