Results 1-20 of 21 for garda reserve speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Jim Walsh: ...do they betray their responsibilities to the children, they also betray their faith, their vows of chastity and other believers. They are unfit to hold the sacred offices they have assumed. I have reservations about the effort to lumber the Vatican with all of the blame. It is not without a degree of blame, as is the case with the hierarchy. However, if we are to resolve this issue in...

Seanad: Human Trafficking: Motion (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: ...of the national action plan to combat trafficking in human beings, which is an important step in the right direction. I also welcome and am sure the House will approve of the establishment by the Garda Síochána of a human trafficking investigation and co-ordination unit within the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB. I acknowledge that Senator Mullen has some reservations with...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Jim Walsh: ...families. It is important that impact statements that do not have as great an impact as others do not dilute the sentencing. I welcome the amendments changing double jeopardy. I will address some reservations. Regarding acquittals, when new evidence comes to light subsequently, through advances in technology and science, the Garda Síochána has greater technical capacity to mount a...

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: ...the threat posed by gangs to society and to the integrity and effectiveness of the criminal judicial system. Unlike Senator Regan, I believe that much has been done in recent years. The number of gardaí has increased from 11,000 during my earliest debates in the Seanad to in excess of 14,000. The Garda reserve force has also been introduced, although that process may be moving more...

Seanad: Forthcoming Budget: Statements (26 Mar 2009)

Jim Walsh: .... The education budget has been increased over this period by a factor of three and health expenditure has increased fourfold. In addition, €20 billion was put into the National Pensions Reserve Fund. This was a significant and courageous political move because often politicians like to spend money on projects whose benefits are immediate so they will get the credit when election time...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Jim Walsh: ...criminal elements in Europe as well as further afield. I welcome the fact that in areas of doubt the Minister may seek additional identification, apart from the provision of a birth certificate and Garda certification of the signature and standing of an individual. Ireland has become more multicultural. Up to 20% of the population has been born in other European countries and elsewhere...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements (20 Feb 2008)

Jim Walsh: ...under Mr. Justice Barron which investigated the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Among its recommendations was the establishment of a commission of investigation to inquire into aspects of the Garda investigation and document handling by the Department and the Garda. That commission was subsequently established under Patrick McEntee, who has reported to the Government and there are certain...

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

Jim Walsh: ...must be absolutely certain of confidentiality and have confidence in the protective measures that will be taken on behalf of themselves and their families. We must take note of the view of the Garda Commissioner. While I accept the point that the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Government have a responsibility to legislate, in an area as sensitive as this it would be imprudent to proceed...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Jim Walsh: ...also highlight deficiencies that existed. Mr. Justice Morris probably summed up matters when he stated that he was staggered by the amount of indiscipline and insubordination he found within An Garda Síochána. Any democrat would be alarmed when an eminent judge makes findings of that nature. It would be remiss of us to continue to focus on the deficiencies and not balance matters by...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

Jim Walsh: ...cross-examining a 12 or 13 year old creates an uneven playing field. The Minister must monitor this provision closely. He is a strong proponent of the current adversarial system. However, I have reservations that an adversarial system may not be an appropriate mechanism for dealing with this issue. I would prefer an inquisitorial system where questions are put by the judge to establish the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Jim Walsh: Whether the Minister should engage with the associations on the timing of the implementation of the Garda reserve force is to some extent a peripheral question. Many Members have spoken about the precedent that would be set if the Garda became actively involved in politics, and about the effect it would have on our democracy. For any democracy to function effectively the security forces must...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Jim Walsh: It is going in the right direction. The other proposals for a reserve force and so on will help to meet the challenges gardaí face each day. We should welcome the proposal rather than try to denigrate it. I join Senator Quinn in calling for the House to have its voice heard in regard to the individual who may be executed in Afghanistan for changing his religion from Islam to Christianity. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

Jim Walsh: I would welcome a debate on that issue. The Garda reserve force and other aspects of the comprehensive Garda Síochána Bill 2004 were constructively debated in this House over a long period.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: ...effective work, and I do not state that they should not be involved. However, they should not be involved in joint policing committees, be that a popular or unpopular statement. I also have strong reservations about amendment No. 48, which deals with the Minister being the person to ultimately make a decision if a dispute arises. Overall this is amazingly good legislation. The joint...

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

Jim Walsh: ...the Government for the action it is taking to respond to the findings and recommendations in the reports; —supports the Minister's proposals to reform the organisation and management of the Garda Síochána as set out in the Garda Síochána Bill; —declares that in a modern, republican democracy, the Garda as a national police force must be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Jim Walsh: ...which stood to them in other aspects of their lives. Many regarded it as good training for young people, apart altogether from the benefits which would accrue nationally by having a trained reserve force within the Army. The same could be applied in the police force as a way of soliciting greater community support for the Garda Síochána and its activities, which is essential to good...

Seanad: Barron Report: Statements. (7 Jul 2004)

Jim Walsh: ...because there is now an opportunity for the Government to attempt to bring some closure, so far as it can, for those involved. The report deals with many issues, one of which is the adequacy of the Garda investigation. In what may be an understatement, the sub-committee said that certain specific criticisms relating to the Garda investigation were included in the Barron report, and that...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Jim Walsh: I am still confused. Senator Terry will have an opportunity later to say whether she was objecting to me complimenting the Garda on its tremendous service to the State over many years. While there have been examples in politics and many strata of society of people infringing proper codes and ethics, the same will arise in any force the size of the Garda. However, it must be recognised that...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Jim Walsh: ...confer any benefits on those pursuing such professions. There is an onus on us to ensure impartiality so that nurses, teachers, cadets and trainee gardaí are treated no differently. I have strong reservations about the legislation making exceptions: it should not do that. It would be far more equitable to look at the starting date. People with an expectation at this stage could be...

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

Jim Walsh: ...months and I believe they should also be involved in policing duties during that time. The Minister of State specifically mentioned training exchanges which have already taken place between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI. That is to be welcomed. The development of skills in areas such as detective work would be worthwhile in this context. I have a certain reservation. I appreciate that...