Results 21-40 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on her appointment. Although I had no hand, act or part in it, nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see her where she is at the moment. I welcome the Minister as a colleague and a friend, and as a person in whom I have the greatest confidence that his period as Minister will be effective and carried out with tremendous skill, and also that he...

Seanad: EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme: Motion (19 Feb 2025)

Michael McDowell: I drove them away.

Seanad: Cathaoirleach a Thoghadh - Election of Cathaoirleach (12 Feb 2025)

Michael McDowell: Ar son na gComhaltaí Neamhspleácha sa Teach seo, is mian liom comhghairdeas a bhronnadh ort, a Chathaoirligh, tar éis duit a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach arís. The Cathaoirleach mentioned in his few words a number of things that go to the heart of our function in this House. One of them is being part of the democratic function of the State. It is the case that the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: I echo the sentiments of gratitude to Mr. Martin Groves, his staff, the ushers and all the other people in Leinster House who have looked after us so well over the past four and a bit years. We are truly in their debt. I will be saying other things about the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission later, but I note that, in the explanatory memorandum to the Bill we face today, the commission...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: I listened carefully to what Senator Boyhan said. In order that the Minister will be ready for the Committee Stage amendments, I draw to his attention the following provision in section 28 of the 2023 Act, as inserted by section 5: "A person shall not sell by retail, or cause to be sold by retail, a nicotine inhaling product to a child." The same provision applies to cigarettes and other...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: It is nonsense.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: New Zealand changed course after an election.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: It is wrong.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: So what? It is nonsense already.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: The Minister will be back here before 2028 if he is returned to office and will be saying sorry for getting it wrong.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: We are guillotining it today, but it is probably rubbish.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: I ask the House to read carefully what is provided in this section, which states: (1) A person shall not sell by retail, or cause to be sold by retail, a tobacco product to a person under the age of 21 years. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence. (3) In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (2), it shall be a defence for such person to...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: Somebody will be in here and say that it was nonsense, that Senator McDowell was right, and that we are changing it because it is rubbish. Who knows? They may say-----

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: On any ordinary construction of this new offence which is being created, it is a nonsense to say that it means anything other than if a 19-year-old produces a driving licence showing him or her to be a 19-year-old, he or she can legally purchase tobacco from a tobacco retailer. That is the law.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: Will the Minister read out the whole of that section?

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: Does it refer to age card which relates to the person?

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: Relating to the what?

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: It does not mean fake driving licences and fake passports. Age cards at the time were introduced for intoxicating liquor to assist people under the age of 21 who wanted to drink to convince bouncers and barmen that it was lawful for them to be served. However, there was no suggestion that this card was a kind of get-out-of-jail-free card in the case of serving alcohol to somebody who could...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024 [Certified Money Bill]: Second and Subsequent Stages (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: I support this legislation. It is important that the Houses of the Oireachtas have a funding stream from the Central Fund but it should also be subject to ministerial accountability and control. I am of the view that a happy balance can be struck between the two. The Office of the Information Commissioner recently found that the Office of Public Works unlawfully breached section 15(4) of...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2024: Second Stage (7 Nov 2024)

Michael McDowell: The role of this House in financial matters is limited but one of the things we are supposed to do is approve the Appropriation Bill every year. It is 47 years since I walked into Leinster House for the first time. That is a frightening thought for me personally.