Results 221-240 of 501 for speaker:Maurice Hayes

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: Does that mean that it is presumed a decision to convict has been taken and would be proceeded with? It does not include provision for a general consideration that a case will be proceeded with some day in the distant future. I presume there must be proximity.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I too would like to see the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum replaced. There are difficulties with having such a facility on the same site as a prison. I hope all those who say it should be replaced but not alongside a prison would welcome it in their own area.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: There is much evidence of the NIMBY syndrome on this issue. I have a certain amount of sympathy with the Minister who says one may as well have one facility instead of two. I wish to associate myself with the comments of Senator Ryan regarding Linfield Football Club, which has taken much stick over the years. It is a small gesture but a civilising one and it is helpful to recognise it as...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I am fully persuaded by the point made by the Minister, but I would like to make a helpful suggestion. People have certain worries about legislation of this sort. Would it be possible for the relevant Minister to report to the Oireachtas on the operation of this legislation once a year, so that people know what is going on? He would not have to report in detail but in broad terms about the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I too was persuaded of the Minister's point. I would find it difficult to decide who would determine, and how, what was democratic. There are people in this country who think we do not have a democratic Government. The essential point is that the Act refers to unduly compelling by terrorism. I agree with the Minister that one cannot regard acts of sheer terrorism and murder as defensible....

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I suppose for a moment I could let my own wounds bleed for a bit. It is somewhat patronising for people to tell the voters in Northern Ireland that they should stand up and be counted because they have done enough of that over the years. Most people who voted for Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland have not voted for criminality or a return to paramilitarism. They voted for that party because they...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I support Senator White in lauding the work of Trevor Ringland, which is very commendable. As an average run-of-the-mill "Taig", I would be even more offended by being called a "Tadhg". As regards the earlier calls for a debate on the libel and privacy laws, as a director of Independent Newspapers I want to declare an interest. I support the request for such a debate. I have been working with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jan 2005)

Maurice Hayes: I would not get apocalyptic about the court decision on the insurance issue. It appears that it was not saying that the board must pay legal costs. It was simply referring to whether a person wanted to have a solicitor and if he or she was prepared to pay for that service himself or herself. That does not appear to subvert the original intention of the legislation. I support the request for a...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: There was a time when I hoped I would not see another cop in my life, because I had spent five years examining police forces in various places. I welcome the Bill, however. I congratulate the Minister on tackling this enormous task with great energy and vision. The passage of the Bill has been marked by his willingness to engage in sensible debate and his openness to the suggestions made by...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I am grateful to Senator Minihan for sharing time with me. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. He might be relieved to know I will not refer to Dickens. What does come to mind however is the Dutch folk tale of the unfortunate young boy who had to put his finger in the dyke. I hope the Minister of State's finger does not freeze off before this matter is sorted...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for the courtesy you have extended over the past year and also thank the staff of the Houses. I extend good wishes to all. When matters are clearer and the dust has settled on events in Colombia, and people have had the opportunity to read whatever judgement might have been handed down, it would be appropriate if the Leader could arrange for the Minister for...

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (17 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I speak on behalf of a group that has never before been recognised in this House, and which will dissolve as soon as I finish speaking, that is, present and former Members from Northern Ireland. I recall Gordon Wilson telling me about his experience of coming to Leinster House when he said he had no problems because there was a man called Paddy Behan who filled up all the forms for him and...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: It is quite moving to follow the last two speeches, which were very strong. I commend Senators Minihan and Ryan on their contributions. I join other Senators in thanking the Taoiseach and paying tribute to him for the work he has done. It has been pointed out that he is one of a long line of taoisigh, Ministers for Foreign Affairs and others who have kept this process going for so long. As...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I am not so sure about this amendment. It is not so much that I am treading on my dreams but I am treading on somebody else's interpretations of my dreams. The difficulty associated with investigating practices, as proposed, is that it almost establishes the office of the ombudsman commission as an inspectorate. There are two different functions to be considered, namely, that of investigating...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: Will the Minister of State say whether it would be possible to expect both the Commissioner and the ombudsman commission to indicate in their respective annual reports the existence of inter-force agreements or protocols? In that informal way the purpose of the amendment would be met because there should not be secret agreements. These matters should be in the public domain.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I welcome these amendments because they strengthen the Bill significantly. I was confused in the earlier discussions by the confusion between the potential ombudsman and the inspectorate. It is very important that there be an inspectorate but there is a difficulty in having an inspectorate for a single force. Her Majesty's inspectorates in the United Kingdom cover several forces so there is...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I urge the Minister of State to consider the points made by Senator Cummins. Giving people long periods of appointment causes two difficulties. When the inspectorate is being established one must see how it goes and there is much trial and error. One does not wish to tie people's hands. However, a long period in inspectorial office results in what is termed "agency capture". The appointee...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: While these are standard provisions, I encourage the Minister of State, as I am sure it is his intention, to attract people of high quality into the inspectorate and to ensure that they have the necessary resources to do the job. Otherwise, it will not be effective.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: That point did occur to me, but I understand the concern expressed by the Senator. A distinction needs to be made between the provision of regulations to enable something to be done and the involvement of a Minister in that activity. There is no suggestion of that, but it would be improper for a Minister of any party to have a say in that process. It may be possible by the introduction of...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Dec 2004)

Maurice Hayes: The Minister should deal with the point made by Senator Tuffy. I take the point of enabling the officers to do these jobs without tying up gardaí. However, there is the narrow point that if a citizen has a complaint about how they are being handled, to whom does he or she complain?