Results 81-100 of 182 for going forward speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Judicial Appointments (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McDowell: The Programme for a Partnership Government, we are told, contains the statement:We will reform the judicial appointments process to ensure it is transparent, fair and credible. We will reduce the number of suitable candidates proposed by the Judicial Appointments Commission for each vacancy to the lowest number advised as constitutionally and legally permissible by the Attorney General, but...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (29 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: While passions are growing strong on this debate we should remember a few things. First, it is the case that some tenants are being gouged by excessive rent increases. The people who are riding the crest of a wave of a shortage are exploiting other people to provide them with housing. I look forward to hearing what the Government will do about the matter. I listened with interest to what...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments and Threatened Industrial Action by An Garda Síochána: Statements (12 Oct 2016)

Michael McDowell: ...what they are talking about is made more focused and is available to the Executive. It strikes me that Senator Boyhan has been advancing the proposal to have the judicial council legislation brought forward and considered at an early date. The Minister will know it is a longstanding chestnut in her Department. I was recently interested to see judicial impatience at the progress. There...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am happy to inform the House that the Government intends to reform the law on juries generally. The Courts Service is also studying the issue of where we should go in respect of reform of jury law. Juries should not necessarily be selected the way they are, namely, that 200 people are brought in on the morning of a trial and herded like cattle and then selected at random. That is no...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...is when new evidence becomes available, but also where intimidation is used to prevent evidence being put before a court or to procure a miscarriage of justice by intimidating the jury. I would go one stage further as part of the reforms the Hogan committee have examined. I believe strongly in jury trial, proof beyond reasonable doubt and the presumption of innocence. These concepts...

Seanad: Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...of the accused as to the reason the man or woman in question should not be sentenced to jail for shoplifting. Psychiatric or psychological evidence could be given or poverty issues could be put forward. If all that was to be registered, it would be a hefty task. I agree with the Fine Gael proposal in the sense that it would be welcome to know this information in every case and to be able...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed). (5 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The issue of corporate governance of the Garda Síochána is important. For that reason, the Government authorised me to ask Independent Senator Maurice Hayes to establish a group to advise on this area. He has given me his report, which I have published. We have also received a report from the Garda inspectorate. Happily, there was considerable overlap between the two in their approach....

Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...the proposal. However, I am asking that other parties agree to the proposition that we devote one day only to Report Stage of the Bill on the resumption of the Dáil, following which the Bill will go to the Seanad. If that is not agreeable, for whatever reason, my proposal is that we conclude the debate on the Bill today and forward it to the Seanad for debate. Following amendment by...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...and that he is entitled to give evidence and not to give evidence. If he does not give evidence, the jury can draw whatever inference it considers appropriate from it. In case people think I am going out on a limb with this Bill, that provision is not part of this legislation. People might believe it should be, but it is not. Another point should be borne in mind. Until the 1890s in...

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: For somebody who was in a party that 20 years ago was going to establish an independent authority, I do not think the Deputy can say that what I have done in five years is wrong. The other point is that we are part of a Dáil that is entitled to accountability from the Garda Commissioner, who is now the Accounting Officer for the Garda Síochána. There is and will be provision in the...

Written Answers — Victims of Crime: Victims of Crime (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...Whelan, Gemini Consulting; and Ms Marian Finucane, broadcaster. The CSVC has a three year remit to disburse funding for victim support measures and to develop a framework for victim services going forward. Its remit also includes the examination of all aspects of the provision of services for victims of crime within the criminal justice system. The CSVC is at present carrying out a...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." From time to time this House is confronted with issues that go to the heart of our role as national legislators. On such occasions, a courageous response on our part can give leadership and galvanise society into clear and determined action. The Criminal Justice Bill 2007, which I am pleased to introduce today, provides the House with an...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...persons to enter their names into a competitive process. If the process is open and transparent, the fact that one might be rejected or whatever makes it difficult to induce people to come forward. This is a highly significant problem. If one wants to get someone good to do a job, one cannot ask that person to accept the job and state that although one wants him or her to do it, he or...

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: ...purposes of having sexual intercourse or to attempt to commit buggery. A person soliciting a child or mentally impaired person to commit a sexual act that does not fall into the most serious category but that is still objectively serious was not criminalised under section 6. Therefore, I have added sexual assault to the list of offences in that section. This is reflected in section 2 of...

Written Answers — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ...the introduction of new more stringent sentences for firearms offences which I provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. I was never of the view that large numbers of hardened criminals were going to hand over their weapons. Such criminals can only be dealt with by applying the full rigour of the law; they are and will continue to be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice....

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: .... It is right that we have this opportunity to discuss a matter which is clearly of the gravest concern to Deputies on all sides of this House and the people of this country. The message must go out from here today that we are unwavering in our support for the Garda Síochána in its efforts to eradicate this evil from our midst. It is a cruel irony that some of what has been happening...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ...Síochána had to be urgently addressed, even before the publication of the critical reports. The Morris reports have been, as they must be, the subject matter of strong action on the part of the Government. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 is the most profound legislation relating to the Garda Síochána in the history of the State and facilitates change. The inspiration for many of its...

Written Answers — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ...mandatory min. sentence of 5 years; altering a Firearm, max. sentence of 10 years, mandatory min. sentence of 5 years. I want to emphasise that I was never of the view that serious criminals were going to come into police stations and hand over their firearms. However, I was satisfied there were people with guns and offensive weapons in their possession who might find it difficult to...

Garda Reform: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: ...foundation of the State have served the Irish people with honour and distinction. We continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrendous and reprehensible events of almost a decade ago. As we take radical steps to ensure such events never recur, we should not condemn and vilify the Garda Síochána as a whole but support the organisation in its radical transformation,...

Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: ...interference that it be located at the Mater hospital. The task group's report and recommendations were then brought to, and endorsed by, the board of the HSE. They were subsequently brought to Government which mandated the HSE to move forward with the development of the new hospital and the urgent care service required to support it. A joint HSE-Department of Health and Children...