Results 1-20 of 11,726 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the first instance we are talking about the new section 13 I am including in the Bill. The purpose of section 13 is to provide another defence. This time it will be referred to as a live-broadcast defence. The purpose of this defence is that a broadcaster broadcasting a live situation will have some level of protection in response to a guest on the programme who utters something that is...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will be brief. This is a provision that I am introducing, which I hope the Oireachtas will support it, for the purpose of facilitating the freedom of expression side of the balancing act. Section 27A will be a worthwhile amendment once it is put into the Defamation Act. It will facilitate live broadcasts. We have to be careful as politicians stating whether we think live broadcasts are...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will try to be brief. At the outset, I will consider all the things that have been referred to here during the consideration of whether I need to bring forward Report Stage amendments. This is no effort by me or the Government to curry favour with the media.As I said previously, the purpose of defamation law and amendments to the Defamation Act is to try the balance the sometimes...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Senators Nelson Murray, Keogan and Cosgrove for their amendments. Senator Nelson Murray has withdrawn her amendment. It is very much in line with the general thrust of the amendments put forward by Senator Keogan, and Senator Cosgrove to a lesser extent. Defamation actions vary in their seriousness, impact and nature. In many respects, they are similar to personal injury...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The amendments the Senator is putting forward are amendments she is proposing in respect of section 19, which will insert a new section 34A into the Defamation Act 2009. As we generally refer to it, this provision I am putting into the new defamation Act will have the effect of giving effect to the SLAPP provision contained within European Directive No. 1069 of 2024. This is the defamation...

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Amendment No. 11, put forward by Senator Keogan, and amendment No. 12, which has not been moved but was referred to by Senators Higgins and Ruane, seek to amend the definition of abuse of proceedings against public participation contained in section 19. These amendments would substitute the requirement in the current definition of abusive court proceedings against progressive participation...

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Referral to Select Committee (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, pursuant to Standing Orders 103 and 118.

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Second Stage (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank all Members who made contributions. I listened to them very carefully. Deputy Carthy started off talking about long delays in cases that involve sexual violence. I think Deputies Ward and Ó Murchú mentioned that as well. It can be the case that there are lengthy delays when it comes to complaints made to An Garda Síochána about sexual offences. If we think...

Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025: Second Stage (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. I look forward to the debate and discussion here with Members in respect of this legislation. I acknowledge and thank Deputy Carthy, who is the Chairperson of the justice committee, for the fact that the committee has agreed to waive pre-legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy but it was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency is committed to providing safe and accessible accommodation and support services for victims and survivors of DSGBV. As a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to the support and care they need is a priority for me. Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation across the country, in line with the Government’s Zero Tolerance Strategy on DSGBV. To date in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy but it was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 289, inclusive, 291 to 293, inclusive, and 296 together. Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors - regardless of their circumstances - have access to the care and support they deserve remain absolute priorities for me and for this government. The ‘Zero...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors are supported at all stages of their journey within the justice system remain absolute priorities for me as Minister and for my Department. The Third National 'Zero Tolerance' DSGBV Strategy recognises that neither domestic nor sexual violence discriminate based on race,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together. Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors - regardless of their circumstances - have access to the care and support they deserve remain absolute priorities for me and for this government. The 'Zero Tolerance' Third National DSGBV Strategy provides us with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Following engagement with legal representatives of the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, the Government, in August 2024, approved a two-phased approach to redress arrangements. Phase one of the redress, for the families of the 48 victims of the fire, was recently completed. In line with the Government's 2024 decision, work to develop phase two proposals, concerning survivors...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together. I would like to assure the deputy, that the Irish Prison Service recognises the importance of supporting neurodiverse people. Everyone committed to the care of the Irish Prison Service has both a nursing and medical assessment completed within two and 24 hours respectively. These assessments highlight and initiate further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Since its establishment last year, Cuan has been working to accelerate the delivery of safe accommodation across the country. Following a request from me, Cuan worked with services and partners to assess and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (6 Nov 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 to 303, inclusive, together. It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is...