Results 141-160 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: One is resources and the other is quality of management. Will the Leader arrange an early debate on transport? The Department of Transport has been doing a good job since its establishment 12 months ago under the leadership of the Minister, Deputy Brennan. I particularly commend his efforts to inject competition into a wide area of the public service. This House should, in a united fashion,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: We should welcome the report of the inspector of prisons and places of detention. The Leader should arrange a debate on the report early in the next session. The attempt by the Leader of the Opposition to make a political, partisan point is unworthy of him. If he consults his colleague, Senator Terry, he will be aware that the Minister has invited the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: Committee members will see that there is no attempt other than to adopt a totally transparent approach. If the Senator kept in touch with his spokespersons, he would be better informed. In regard to the Freedom of Information Act, those of us involved in local government are aware of the additional cost imposed on them. It is just one sector of the public service to which the Act applies....

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: On a point of information, I ask the Senator to withdraw that remark. I was one of a contingent that was ready to go to Templemore on Friday last, but I received a call late on Thursday evening pointing out that, because of issues in the Dáil, it was not possible for Deputies to go.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: This is a Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 103, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question "That the Bill be received for final consideration", the Minister may explain the purpose of the amendments made by the Dáil. This is looked upon as the report of the...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minster should be commended for significantly improving the content of the Bill with these amendments.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: The Minister cannot be blamed if Standing Orders of the House do not allow us to deal with the matter more effectively by considering each amendment in turn, as on Report Stage. It is for the House to regulate itself, a matter raised on the Order of Business. I hope the Cathaoirleach and members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will take this on board. Dealing with the amendments...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Jul 2003)

Jim Walsh: They have strengthened the Bill. Improved processing of applications was required because people have an entitlement to expect that they will be dealt with in a speedy manner. The Minister has made a valid point in that if 90% of applications are subsequently found to have no validity, there is a significant cost factor in maintaining a slow process of determination. I would welcome anything...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Second Stage. (8 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Seanad inniu chun an Bille um Cheartas Coiriúil (Scaoileadh Sealadach Príosúnach) 2001 a phlé. It is an interesting Bill, which goes to the core of how society regulates itself. A maxim has been enunciated in the House on similar subjects of debate, namely, that crime does not pay. We should judge any...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I too compliment Senator Mansergh and the others who contributed to the peace process. Some things occurred during that period which should not be swept under the carpet. That would compound the tragedies particularly for those who have been bereaved. I ask the Leader to arrange an appropriate debate in this House as soon as the Government releases the Cory report. I understand the report of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I read these amendments and have some sympathy with them. However, the import of amendment No. 17 is different from that of amendments Nos. 9 and 10. Therefore, I suggest we deal with the amendments separately, although it is up to their proposer to agree.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I am in agreement, in large measure, with Senator Terry's amendment. We covered this point fairly well on Second Stage. Much of our law concentrates technically on the offender and offences, while the victim is often sidelined. We need to inject a change into that type of thinking. There are many fine examples of where jurisdictions have moved the victim to centre stage, thus having a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I empathise with much of what the Minister of State said in this regard. A particular difficulty with the amendment is that every crime does not necessarily have an identifiable victim. I also admire the Minister of State for defending his Department. He may or may not agree with me that there are many victims who might not necessarily share that view and who feel their particular plight is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I have some sympathy with this amendment. However, the Minister of State has pointed out that many victims do not wish to be notified.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: There is a body of opinion and the Minister of State has said that there are a number of victims who do not wish to know. The provision in the Bill is that they may request information. I would like to see a mechanism whereby victims would be advised, as I am sure they are by their legal representatives, that they may seek to be informed. Then, as a matter of form, they would be kept advised...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. (15 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: On Tuesday next. I thank the Minister of State. I am conscious of the reference in section 1 to the victim. However, if there is anything he can do in the interim period prior to Report Stage to reinforce the position of the victim, I believe that would be welcomed. The Minister of State has been very amenable in this regard. Report Stage ordered for Tuesday, 21 October 2003. Sitting...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (22 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: This amendment relates to offences other than the offence for which the person is in prison, which goes a step too far. I acknowledged on Committee Stage that Senator Terry's amendment had a good deal of merit. Subsection (2)(d) provides that the Minister shall, before giving a direction under this section, have regard to the potential threat to the safety and security of members of the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (22 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I am not sympathetic to this amendment. If a victim is not to be consulted, it would add insult to injury for a criminal to have such a right. When people are incarcerated, hopefully by due process, they should be there to serve their sentence. They should not be in a position to campaign or advocate for temporary release. There is a system already in place. Adding this amendment to the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (22 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I indicated on Committee Stage that I had certain sympathies with this amendment. However, there was logic in the Minister's reply that many victims do not wish to be contacted because it merely revisits the trauma of whatever crime was committed against him or her. He also said the victim's liaison officer will often make the victim aware of temporary release measures. I would like us to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (22 Oct 2003)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister of State and his staff for their attendance. Many issues were teased out and the Minister of State was most amenable and constructive. He was prepared to investigate points of merit. The tenor of the debate was positive in terms of focusing on victims of crime. We can look forward positively to codification as that will benefit the administration of justice.