Results 1,841-1,860 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: The purpose of amendment No. 99b is to show the Minister that the phrase, "the objective that the membership of the judiciary should comprise equal numbers of men and women", is somewhat skewed. It is perfectly compatible with the current phraseology that there could be a predominance of women in the District and Circuit Courts, and a predominance of men in the High Court, Court of Appeal...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am disappointed by the Minister's response. Clearly, the gender equality mandate is not properly addressed if we have a situation where, in the High Court, for instance, 70% of judges are male and 30% are female, but the split is 55:45 in the District Court. The ratio might even go to 45:55. The logic of seeking to recognise the equality of men and women, as lawyers, jurisprudents,...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: This is a game of bluff.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: The Minister seemed to be against the amendment until I said I was pushing it to a vote. Now he says he will allow it.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: Is it generous to try to put me off with a bluff? In any case, I am happy if the amendment is accepted. It shows clearly that this debate is worthwhile.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: We are improving the legislation by degrees and via persuasion. That is something which certain people writing for theIrish Independentmight note. I observe,en passant, that Senator Conway, who is not in the Chamber just now, announced earlier that a particular story in today'sIrish Independent is fake news.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: The author of that article is a very respected journalist. To accuse him in a casual way of writing fake news is not acceptable.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I want to correct the record of the House to make clear that it is not the view of most Senators that Mr. O'Connell in his article today was engaging in fake news. He was clearly careful in conducting the research which shows that a majority of Fine Gael Senators oppose the Bill.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 99c:In page 35, to delete lines 1 to 4. This amendment seeks to delete subparagraph (e) of subsection (5): "the need for the selection procedures to comprise comprehensive procedures, including provision for interviews and other selection tests, approaches and methods in line with the requirements of the vacancy or vacancies proposed to be filled,". I do not know what...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: It is a reference to aptitude tests and things like that.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I do not wish to divide the House just now on this issue. There is very little time remaining.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I will not waffle because I am talking about waffle contained in the legislation. As Senator Norris suggested, this is inflated language which means absolutely nothing. The selection procedures must comprise comprehensive procedures.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: What are non-comprehensive procedures? Nobody knows what is meant by the need for selection procedures to be comprehensive. We have already disagreed on including provision for interviews, but the Minister showed some flexibility on it.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I refer also to the need for the selection procedures to include other selection tests, approaches and methods.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: Now the Acting Chairman is interrupting me and silencing me.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I will report progress.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I report progress.

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (20 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate the Minister of State on having the Bill passed by the House. It is approximately 15 years since I attempted to bring this legislation into reality. During the period I was Minister with responsibility for justice, I did not receive the requisite co-operation from the Judiciary, as a result of which nothing happened.I had to explain to the Dáil on a number of occasions...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: It is now around 14 years since a Member of this House, Senator Tom Morrissey, convened a conference, A New Heart for Dublin, in Dublin Castle. My recollection is that Senator Norris chaired that conference. The proposal was that Dublin Port should be removed from its current location to Bremore in north County Dublin. A high-rise redevelopment of the centre of the city would then take...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: It is also illegal.