Results 161-180 of 1,548 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (18 Nov 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Those of us who are not in Nicaragua depend on receiving independent reports about what happened. It is important we consider those reports. The American division of Human Rights Watch reported that the election results were a sham. The Organization of American States said the elections were neither fair, free, nor transparent. Other countries around the world that respect democratic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (18 Nov 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is important the EU has a strong voice in this. People who are supportive of the Ortega regime will seek to present it as if this is merely Americans and supporters of the United States who are criticising the revolutionary movement of Daniel Ortega. That can spread regionally in South America. People who have congratulated him include the President of Venezuela and people who seek to...

Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Nov 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I commend the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, on bringing forward this important legislation. As my colleague, Deputy Murnane O'Connor stated, it is the case that laws existed to criminalise human smuggling and they were contained within the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. However, that legislation covered a lot of issues, including human trafficking as well as human...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: There is a tendency during political debates about budgets for politicians and political commentators to concentrate on individual measures that have been introduced. That is understandable and I will do that presently. However, it is important we also take into account the general economic condition of the country at the time of the budget. That is what experts in economic departments...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Antisocial Behaviour (30 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister of State for that thorough response and, like him, I am fully aware this is a problem that cannot simply be resolved through increased Garda visibility or strengthening our laws. We need to focus on the group of men and boys in our society who seem to think it is acceptable to use violence against people they do not know, be that for the purpose of trying to rob from...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Antisocial Behaviour (30 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has been great over the past month see Dublin city reopening. We see people back in their offices. We see shops and businesses reopening. At night-time, we see many people back out socialising again. Unfortunately, however, that reopening has also been accompanied by a significant increase in violent criminal activity in the inner city of Dublin. The title given to this matter is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (30 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister for his reply. I share his concern. Some politicians have the benefit of being viewed as political saints. It is not a designation that applies to me or most Members of this House, but it is a designation that was applied to Mr. Daniel Ortega, the President of Nicaragua. As the Minister is aware, Mr. Ortega came to power in 1979, was elected as President in 1984 and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (30 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: It might also be worth considering whether the Department can encourage international human rights bodies to seek authorisation to return to Nicaragua. I am thinking in particular of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. It is a worrying development if there is this level of oppression in Nicaragua. I hope...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (30 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the current situation in Nicaragua ahead of the election in that country; if he has concerns about the crackdown on opposition politicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47169/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (30 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: A presidential election is due to take place in Nicaragua on 7 November next. It is obviously a matter for the people of Nicaragua to decide who they want to elect as their president, but if it is the case that that election is taking place without transparency or fairness, it becomes a matter for the international community. I ask the Minister whether the Government has any concerns about...

Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (29 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am to take Deputy Smith's place.

Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (29 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the Housing for All plan. It is a plan and a document that recognises the scale of the housing crisis that exists in this country at present. One of the reasons I welcome the document is that it recognises that this is not just a housing issue but also a societal issue. We need to recognise that in this House, and I believe that the Government is coming to recognise it with the...

Garda Siochana (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Sep 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the reasons Irish independence succeeded was that we were able to establish an independent police force very quickly after we got independence and that police force secured the support and consent of the Irish public it policed. That was a major achievement of the State. Other countries that gained their independence did not always manage to transfer power to a police force that...

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister of State and my colleagues, Deputies Devlin and Kenny, for their contributions. It has been most beneficial that we have had this debate. As all speakers have recognised, changing this law is not really going to resolve the problem. Legislation itself is a very blunt instrument. Therefore, when we introduce legislation into this House, sometimes it can generate a...

Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will share my time with Deputy Devlin, who I believe is to speak for five minutes. I welcome the opportunity to commence the Second Stage debate on the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2021. Fianna Fáil and I introduced this legislation last March because of the increasing concern of the parliamentary party...

Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward this legislation. We all know the reason we are here is because of the recent Supreme Court decision in the Zalewski case. It was probably one of the most important decisions given by the Supreme Court this century and has resulted in this legislation coming before the House. I am conscious that my colleagues in the House know the facts of...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I commend the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on bringing forward the Bill. Many individuals thought that by An Garda Síochána exercising its discretion, we could overcome the problems that have been outlined in this legislation. It is preferable, however, to have certainty in the issue. When a publican or a restaurant is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Expenditure Policy (17 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 108. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public expenditure for 2021 is within profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32332/21]

Health (Amendment) Act 2021: Motion (27 May 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thought the Deputy is getting five minutes after me.

Health (Amendment) Act 2021: Motion (27 May 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I beg the Ceann Comhairle's pardon. I was told I had 20 minutes. I beg Deputy Farrell's pardon. I will conclude as I got my timing wrong. I commend what I have suggested to the Minister and ask him to take it into consideration.