Results 3,801-3,820 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Michael McDowell: I would like to be identified with the compliments that have been paid to the National Museum of Ireland and to the Office of Public Works for the huge amount of work - and the very successful work - carried out on our behalf. I acknowledge the decency of the National Museum in co-operating with the process. I want to be identified in particular with the Cathaoirleach's remarks of gratitude...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Michael McDowell: In the circumstances, I would ask the Leader to reconfirm that the Order of Business for the forthcoming weeks will make provision for that. Second, in the context of the amount of business that we have to do in Seanad Éireann, there was an agreement in principle that there would be further room provided for Private Members' legislation if there was not a telling requirement on the part...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Michael McDowell: -----on struggling families who do not have the resources to pay it and are not in a position to increase their income or to produce further income to pay what will be a crippling tax burden on them in the coming years.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Michael McDowell: I refer to the ongoing refugee, asylum seeker and migrant crisis in the Mediterranean where there is enormous activity and in which Naval Service ships have been deployed from time to time. This morning I listened to a BBC radio programme which covered the plight of those arriving in Italy and the circumstances in which they were being kept. The Minister of State at the Department of...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2017)

Michael McDowell: Yes. I am moving an amendment to the effect that it be taken before No. 1.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Motion (19 Jul 2017)

Michael McDowell: I move:“That Seanad Éireann resolves that provision should be made for Committee Stage of the Seanad Bill 2016 to be debated in Government time during the Autumn term 2017.”

Seanad: National Shared Services Office Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Jul 2017)

Michael McDowell: I strongly support this Bill and I strongly support the initiative of the Minister of State and the Government in bringing it forward. Like Senator Horkan, I take the view that, normally, when we are told another statutory body is to be created, our antennae go up for a moment. However, on this occasion, I can see the reason that it should have a statutory basis. If it is to be...

Seanad: Report on Dying, Death and Bereavement: Statements (4 Jul 2017)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell on this report. I attended its launch on what was an auspicious day. I welcome the Minister, I congratulate her on her appointment and I wish her well in the discharge of her functions. I have become increasingly aware of a delay in the holding of inquests. People may die after a fall at home but it is now quite frequent, in the Dublin area at...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seanad Reform (27 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: When the people of Ireland voted in a referendum not to amend the Constitution to abolish Seanad Éireann, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, indicated at the time that he regarded this as a wallop. After a period of time he said that he would take the path of reform. Acting on foot of the programme for Government acceptance and inclusion of the Manning report, I and other Senators...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Seanad Reform (27 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: I fully accept that the Minister of State, Deputy English, is speaking in good faith but, unfortunately, I do not accept that the Government is acting in good faith on this matter. The then Taoiseach sought nominations to the group in December 2016. To say that matters are ongoing in June, more than six months later, is, frankly, ridiculous. If there was any appetite for moving ahead with...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: On the subject just raised by the leader of the Fianna Fáil group, that is, the question of the judicial appointments commission legislation which is pending, there are a couple of points I would lie to make. First, as Senator Ardagh said, it is a Bill which has several significant flaws. One of them is that the Act which it seeks to amend and repeal, the Courts and Court Officers Act...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: I wish to be associated with the sentiments expressed about the outgoing Taoiseach. It occurs to me that, although he has served 40 years in the Oireachtas, the Fine Gael Party Members in this Chamber must be in a state of sadness at the fact his term was cut short before he had the opportunity to deliver on the issue of Seanad reform-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: -----something he promised most solemnly to do on the last occasion he was in the House. In that context, it is important that the Leader make arrangements for the outgoing Taoiseach's successor to come to the House and equally pledge to lead the Fine Gael Party Members in their ongoing campaign to reform the House to make it more democratic.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: I also wish to address-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: Exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: We are.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: Although we can be light-hearted about it, reform of the Seanad forms part of the programme for Government and is a commitment that must be delivered on. The Government made a solemn commitment to the people to implement the Manning report. We are waiting for it to deliver on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: If it is the case that the change of personnel at the top of the Fine Gael Party in the other House will lead to the abandonment of that proposal, we should find out as soon as possible in order that we will be able to see how real the commitment was to implement what our former colleague in this House, Dr. Maurice Manning, had planned out for its reform. Of course, it is the case that Fine...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: The people will note what has happened and there will be a day of reckoning if the Leader does not-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2017)

Michael McDowell: It is amusing that Senator David Norris thinks the people do not even know that this House exists. As he well knows, they voted in a referendum to keep it.