Results 81-100 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Walsh: It may not be possible for the Minister of State to address my concerns as there may be no specific answers at this stage. However, it would be desirable to have parameters with regard to the take-up of this facility in the Bill. The success of the legislation depends on the extent to which people avail of sections 2 and 3. It might be useful if there were some target areas. It is fine if...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Walsh: It is important that this regulation is mirrored in both situations, whether it involves a member of the PSNI or of the Garda Síochána. It is important that any suggestions are implemented by agreement.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Walsh: This is the agreement between the Government and the British Government done in Belfast on 29 April 2002. Like Senator Terry I have a similar difficulty in trying to interpret this provision. I notice that under Article 5 a programme shall be introduced to facilitate members to transfer and be placed within the other police force and therefore perhaps policing is not envisaged as part of...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Walsh: My query relates to Article 1. I am sure there are good reasons why mobility has been decided at superintendent level rather than lower grades. Perhaps it is the toe in the water syndrome whereby one must wait to see how it works out. I would like to think that lower grades would have the opportunity to apply for permanent positions on a cross-Border basis. Perhaps the Minister will consider...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Walsh: Very few.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Apr 2003)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister of State who has been here for a full debate, other than the beginning when the Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, was present. It is fair to say that we have had a good and engaging debate on this short but important Bill. I hope it will be of benefit to both the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. It will increase confidence on both...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State. As Senator Terry mentioned, he is a frequent visitor to the House which is indicative of the number of Bills emanating from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This Bill is to be welcomed as it gives effect in Irish law to the requirements of the EU Council framework decision of 13 June 2002 which resulted from the call at the 1999 European...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (14 May 2003)

Jim Walsh: It is in rural areas.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (14 May 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minister has displayed a lot of common sense and pragmatism in the way he has introduced these measures, and there has been good compliance. I will touch on a couple of issues which may need tweaking or, in some instances, a reversal of policy. One of these, as the Minister has acknowledged, relates to speed limits in certain areas not being commensurate with requirements. This needs to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Jim Walsh: I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for a debate on competitiveness. There have been indications in recent years that if the issue is not addressed, it will impact on employment. I ask the Leader to consider broadening the debate to also include the public sector. Recent private sector reports on profits made by some of the telecommunications companies indicate that we are not...

Seanad: Order of Business. - Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (22 May 2003)

Jim Walsh: This is an interesting amendment, although I am unsure of its relevance in this regard. As a principle, we tend not to get value from the public service for the money we spend. It is important that we put in place more measurements to ensure this happens. While I am unsure of the relevance of the amendment, the principle and concept behind it are something that should be taken on board by...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Bill 2000: Second Stage. (27 May 2003)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire agus an Bhille. The Bill is welcome. Although published in 2000, it is only now being debated. Why was there such a delay? The legislation deals with a relatively significant problem but there are not many issues involved. Often short Bills are presented when that is the case but this Bill is comprehensive, presumably because of the various...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I endorse Senator Hanafin's request for a debate on stress, a matter of great concern, particularly for students at examination time. Given the number of suicides we have seen occurring around the country, including in my locality, the debate should be broadened in order to debunk the misguided stigma attached to mental health. A recent UCD survey showed that only 13% of students who suffered...

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: We all welcome the European Central Bank cutting the interest rates. That is good and from a European point of view it is important that our businesses are competitive vis-à-vis businesses in the United States. Its interest rates at this stage are still marginally lower than the European Central Bank rate.

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: On the other hand, banks can often be an easy target. It is important that the banking system has the necessary solid foundation to allow the rest of the economy to survive. I would not be entirely critical of some of the decisions banks make.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister. We have already discussed this legislation at committee level. The Minister has given a good background to the ambit of our human rights record within our legislation and the effects of the European Convention for the Protection Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It must be remembered that this is a binding international treaty from the Council of Europe. It is...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minister is a frequent visitor to the House which is indicative of the amount of legislation he is dealing with, his attention to his portfolio and the frequency with which this House raises issues of public importance. This Bill amends all of the licensing laws since 1833, a period of 170 years. I was speaking to Senator Moylan earlier today and he told me he had recently come across a...

Seanad: Election Expenses: Motion. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: I do not always agree with Senator Norris but in this instance he talked sense. I commend the Fine Gael Party Members for allowing Senator Norris to expound their real feelings. Now that Deputy Rabbitte has overtaken Deputy Enda Kenny in the opinion polls—

Seanad: Election Expenses: Motion. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: —they will have to put up a veneer of association with the Labour Party.

Seanad: Election Expenses: Motion. (18 Jun 2003)

Jim Walsh: All left wing parties for some inexplicable reason—