Results 1-20 of 11,583 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank and commend Senators on their contributions today and on the previous occasion. I said previously that one of the functions of the Oireachtas when it comes to any defamation Bill is to balance the constitutional right to one's good name with the constitutional right to freedom of expression. I said previously as well that sometimes the general emphasis is on protecting freedom of...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Senator Norris started his contribution by stating that then Minister, now Senator McDowell, had a reputation for being a rottweiler, but Senator Norris was concerned that he seemed to have turned into a chihuahua. The basis for this charge being made by Senator Norris was that he thought then Minister, now Senator McDowell, had completely caved to the interests of newspapers and media...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It was the Louis Blom-Cooper case.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It was Mr. Justice Ó Caoimh.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Members for their contributions, to which I have listened very carefully . I will begin with Senator Ruane, who made a number of interesting points. Her first point was on non-disparagement clauses and she inquired as to the interlink between non-disparagement clauses and the defamation laws that operate at present. My view is there is no link between the two. If somebody has...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes. I will go back and reflect on it. I like the idea of having a provision that is just reflective of section 26(1). Section 26(2) makes it a complicated and difficult statutory defence to operate. I hear what the Senator said in respect of section 26(3). My assessment in that regard is that it will not mean that if someone does not reply, it is an inference that they are happy...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: We will come back to that. Part of the reason the media in Ireland are responsible and careful is the defamation laws, which have had a positive impact on Irish journalism and media. You know if you read something in a respected Irish newspaper that it is, to a large extent, true and if they get it wrong, that will be established fairly promptly. I note Senator McDowell's point about the...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It shows the usefulness of the Upper House that we are having a very detailed discussion about this. I also note what Senator McDowell said about Report Stage. I did not know that. I am not guaranteeing anything but I will consider whether amendments can be tabled to take into account what Senators said. I want to clarify for Senator Craughwell that I did not say it was in the public...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I never said that.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Really?

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I said ordinary media.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Housing Policy (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act) was enacted with the primary objective of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments, and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs). While the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has had responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise that the Prison Rules, 2007, as amended, govern visits from family members, friends, and professional visitors. There is no provision for conjugal visits in Irish prisons.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the interest of transparency, An Garda Síochána publishes data on the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank. This can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and -people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-brea kdown-2025/ The Deputy should select the Garda Workforce figures for August 2025 (the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a goodwill payment to recognise the contribution of hosts who have opened their homes to temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine. The scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection on my behalf. Some 41,000 persons who have fled the war in Ukraine are currently being accommodated in almost 23,000 hosted accommodations with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have no role in these matters. To be of assistance, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that survivors receive the support and care they deserve remain central priorities for this government. The roadmap to achieving these aims, The ‘Zero Tolerance’ Third National Strategy on DSGBV (2022–2026), is now in its final phase of implementation. The Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) is an independent body responsible for the regulation of the legal professions under the provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. Subject to the 2015 Act, the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under Section 6 of the 2015 Act, the LSRA is required to periodically carry out a review of the Act and,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution. Broadcasting of Irish court proceedings is currently limited to pilot programs and specific cases, primarily in the Supreme Court, which began broadcasting judgments...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (22 Oct 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: My Department has been unable to provide a response to this question within the prescribed timeframe. A response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.