Jim Walsh (politician)
Encyclopedia
Jim Walsh is an Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician and member of Seanad Éireann
since 1997.
, County Wexford
. Walsh attended New Ross Christian Brothers School
. He is married to Marie Furlong, they have one son and two daughters. Outside of his Seanad duties, he works as a farmer
and company director. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport and is a former president of the Irish Road Hauliers' Association. He was elected in 1974 to New Ross Town Council
, serving as Chairman for eight terms. Walsh was a member of Wexford County Council
from 1979 to 2004, serving as Chairman from 1992–1993.
In 1997, he was first elected to Seanad Éireann
by the Agricultural Panel. From 1997 to 2002, he served as spokesperson on Environment and Local Government in Seanad Éireann and concurrently as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government. He is currently party spokesperson for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and a Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights.
s used their position in order to act more or less as shop stewards
for the wealthy legal profession
". He later withdrew the comment, acknowledging that he may have caused offence.
to counter the proposed same-sex
Civil Partnership Bill. The Irish Times
reported that around 30 unidentified Fianna Fáil backbencher
s had signed the motion. One anonymous Senator was quoted as claiming that the motion "would have considerable support from the more conservative sections of the parliamentary party". The Taoiseach
, Brian Cowen
, responded by insisting that the registration of same-sex couples would not interfere with the constitutional
status of marriage
. Cowen noted that the Bill had been drawn up in close consultation with the Attorney General
and had been included in the programme for government.
The motion was referred to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party's justice committee on 1 July 2008. Despite the challenge to the Bill, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson was quoted as saying that there was "broad support" within the party for the legislation, while the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern
reaffirmed the constitutional compatibility of the proposed law.
Walsh has repeatedly called for a freedom of conscience amendment to the legislation which would by-pass equality legislation, allowing people a religious exemption in providing goods and services to gay couples.
On 7 July 2010, he resigned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party whip
, along with Labhrás Ó Murchú
and John Hanafin, in protest at the Civil Partnership bill. He rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician and member of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
since 1997.
Early and personal life
Jim Walsh lives in New RossNew Ross
New Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
, County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
. Walsh attended New Ross Christian Brothers School
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
. He is married to Marie Furlong, they have one son and two daughters. Outside of his Seanad duties, he works as a farmer
Farmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
and company director. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport and is a former president of the Irish Road Hauliers' Association. He was elected in 1974 to New Ross Town Council
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
, serving as Chairman for eight terms. Walsh was a member of Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wexford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Chairman...
from 1979 to 2004, serving as Chairman from 1992–1993.
In 1997, he was first elected to Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
by the Agricultural Panel. From 1997 to 2002, he served as spokesperson on Environment and Local Government in Seanad Éireann and concurrently as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government. He is currently party spokesperson for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and a Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights.
Tribunals
In April 2008, Walsh claimed "that Chairmen of some of the tribunalTribunal
A tribunal in the general sense is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title....
s used their position in order to act more or less as shop stewards
Union steward
A union representative, union steward, or shop steward is an employee of an organization or company, who represents and defends the interests of her/his fellow employees but who is also a labor union official...
for the wealthy legal profession
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
". He later withdrew the comment, acknowledging that he may have caused offence.
Civil partnership legislation
On 24 April 2008, Walsh put forward a party motionMotion (parliamentary procedure)
In parliamentary procedure, a motion is a formal proposal by a member of a deliberative assembly that the assembly take certain action. In a parliament, this is also called a parliamentary motion and includes legislative motions, budgetary motions, supplementary budgetary motions, and petitionary...
to counter the proposed same-sex
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
Civil Partnership Bill. The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
reported that around 30 unidentified Fianna Fáil backbencher
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
s had signed the motion. One anonymous Senator was quoted as claiming that the motion "would have considerable support from the more conservative sections of the parliamentary party". The Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
, Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
, responded by insisting that the registration of same-sex couples would not interfere with the constitutional
Constitution of Ireland
The Constitution of Ireland is the fundamental law of the Irish state. The constitution falls broadly within the liberal democratic tradition. It establishes an independent state based on a system of representative democracy and guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected...
status of marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
. Cowen noted that the Bill had been drawn up in close consultation with the Attorney General
Attorney General of Ireland
The Attorney General is a constitutional officer who is the official adviser to the Government of Ireland in matters of law. He is in effect the chief law officer in Ireland. The Attorney General is not a member of the Government but does participate in cabinet meetings when invited and attends...
and had been included in the programme for government.
The motion was referred to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party's justice committee on 1 July 2008. Despite the challenge to the Bill, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson was quoted as saying that there was "broad support" within the party for the legislation, while the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern
Dermot Ahern
Dermot Christopher Ahern is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Louth constituency from 1987 to 2011...
reaffirmed the constitutional compatibility of the proposed law.
Walsh has repeatedly called for a freedom of conscience amendment to the legislation which would by-pass equality legislation, allowing people a religious exemption in providing goods and services to gay couples.
Views on women
In November 2009, Walsh claimed that women working outside the home is a major cause of depression in young people.On 7 July 2010, he resigned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
, along with Labhrás Ó Murchú
Labhras O Murchú
Labhrás Ó Murchú is the Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and a member of Seanad Éireann for Fianna Fáil.Born in County Tipperary, Ó Murchú was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1993 elections for the 20th Seanad, standing on the Cultural and Educational Panel...
and John Hanafin, in protest at the Civil Partnership bill. He rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010.