Results 7,341-7,360 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: No, the Deputy cannot take it that there is any long-fingering process. The Government is facing up to this issue and has requested one report, which it has put into the public domain. It is also awaiting the second report, which will be published on Friday. I suggest there is no question of long-fingering it and it will be interesting to see whether there is consensus on that side of the...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Taoiseach has indicated that it is the Government's policy to introduce legislation to bring fairness to people who are in a relationship of the type contemplated, but the exact form that takes must await consideration of the two reports.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy seems not to understand ordinary English. I said——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——no legislation was promised. I indicated the Taoiseach had said it was Government policy to legislate in this area and there is no contradiction between those two statements.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the House well knows, promised legislation is not covered by the Leader of the Government saying it is intended that——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have indicated that the Taoiseach has stated it is the policy of the Government to bring forward legislation on the subject of the predicament of people who are in unions that are not recognised by the law at present.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have indicated clearly and unequivocally to the House that the Government is in possession of one report on the options available to it, which it intends to study. On foot of such a study a decision will be made as to whether any or all such options will be put forward before the House in the form of legislation. As for the other paper, namely, the Law Reform Commission's paper on the...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is the intention of the Government to legislate in this area. However, I wish to make it clear to Members that the scope of the legislation has not yet been decided.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Hence it would be absurd of me to state in the House when so-called promised legislation would come in——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When the Government has not——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When the Government has not had an opportunity to even consider the basic components of such legislation. While Members may shout and roar about the matter, the Government intends to proceed carefully in this respect.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Taoiseach has indicated there will not be a constitutional referendum in this area and that it is his intention to deal with the matter legislatively without a referendum. However, the format, substance and thrust of the legislation has not yet been decided. It would be absurd for me to state it would be available within any particular timeframe when the Government has not yet had an...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A proposal is a suggestion that there will be legislation of a particular kind.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When Fine Gael and Labour agree on this matter I will be back to discuss it.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Let us see them.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: While it is most likely that the carbon legislation will precede the forestry legislation, both Bills are scheduled for introduction next year.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is intended to introduce the health Bill early in the next session and to give it priority.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The heads of the Bill were approved by the Government in July 2006. While it is at drafting stage at present, I am not in a position to indicate exactly when it will be published. However, an on-line consultation process is under way in conjunction with the drafting of the Bill along the approved lines.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that the legislation in question will be published early in the new year. Moreover, it will deal with the issue of the protection of victims and will deal with issues such as grooming of potential victims.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Deenihan is correct. Legislation has been promised to give effect to the recommendations of the Dalton report and it is scheduled for publication in 2007.