Results 2,141-2,160 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: That is the point. I just want to indicate that, in regard to the proposed new section, the Government should not be obliged to publish the names or make public the names of persons who have not been appointed to judicial office following their recommendation by the commission.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: The Minister now seems to be saying he is in favour of the principle that there should not be an obligation to make the names public. That is the very least that should be done in that respect. The real question is whether the decision ought to be kept secret. Apart from notifying unsuccessful candidates that they have not been shortlisted or have been unsuccessful - they can draw the...
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: Votáil.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 96c:In page 32, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:“Vacancies in the Superior Courts49.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where the Government decides to advise the President to appoint any serving judge who is a member of any of the Superior Courts to any vacancy arising in those Courts, the Minister shall notify the Commission of...
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: It was not.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: Exactly. The Minister is indicating he will be accepting it so unless Sinn Féin has some objection, it will probably go through. I thank the Minister for accepting amendment No. 96c. That amendment is important. It came as a surprise to me that the Minister accepted it. It clearly-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: This is relevant to amendment No. 97 as well. Amendment No. 96c is the new section 49, and it means the deletion we would effect through amendment No. 97 copperfastens very clearly the principle that the Government retains the right without any explanation of any kind whatever-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I am speaking on the combination of amendments Nos. 96c and 97.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I am expressing its importance but I did not realise it had already been discussed. I do not want to be disorderly.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I did not mean to be disorderly.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I will agree to the question but surely there are other amendments.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 97a:In page 33, line 9, after "means" to insert "experience,". I do not agree to discussing the amendments together.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: The purpose of the amendment is to insert in section 50-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: They relate to different portions of sections.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: I apologise and the Leas-Chathaoirleach is correct. The amendments make the same point.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)
Michael McDowell: The purpose of the amendment is to introduce the concept of experience to the requirement for requisite skills and attributes. The amendments would do this throughout section 50.
- Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)
Michael McDowell: I, too, welcome the Taoiseach and thank him for his thoughtful address. I join Senator Ardagh in complimenting him, his Government and the main Opposition party on the cross-party approach to Brexit, which has been a cornerstone of our recent success in maintaining the solidarity of our allies in the European Union, who have shown us great support. The Taoiseach mentioned that today is the...
- Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)
Michael McDowell: He was asserting a truth which in those days and the decades afterwards became increasingly occluded by the power of the majority in Ireland as the two parts of this island became more and more polarised along religious lines. Things have changed in the meantime and we now live in a very different Republic. Recent referendums have shown that this is an open Republic. It is one that is open...
- Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)
Michael McDowell: In addition, we must decide where the balance between local and national powers should be struck. I will give one example that I know is politically sensitive, that is, the local property tax. Somebody in Dublin who lives in a very small house with a limited income and has much higher mortgage obligations than somebody living outside of Dublin in a much larger house but with a greater...
- Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)
Michael McDowell: -----they are being asked to share a burden which is unfair upon them. People of modest means are being asked to pay a disproportionate contribution to the cost of local government in Ireland generally. That is something that will have to be addressed. I know the Taoiseach maintains contact with the British Prime Minister despite all of the negative commentary in English media about this...