Results 1,881-1,900 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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.

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

Michael McDowell: There is not much point in us having Bills in this House.

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

Michael McDowell: There was expenditure of €7 million on a garden.

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

Michael McDowell: I agree. That is a good idea.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: At the outset I would like to indicate to the Cathaoirleach that the Independent Senators at their meeting today passed a motion of sympathy for the Cathaoirleach on the sad loss of his sister, Eileen, and a vote of sympathy for the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Coghlan, on the death of his mother, Peggy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse. I will mention a number of matters...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: The issue I was commenting on was the publicity to date-----