Results 2,021-2,040 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: One of the founding fathers of the American Republic also said that if he had to choose between a society with a free government and an unfree press or one with an unfree government and a free press, he would choose the latter. I have always been of the opinion that while the latter statement sounds courageous and attitudinal, it is fundamentally flawed. The truth is that it is not possible...

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I was voted down by a certain party.

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: That exact phrase is used in An Phoblacht today on the subject of Daily Ireland.

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Somebody pays for it.

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: They already do.

Seanad: Privacy and Defamation: Statements. (9 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Members for their very considered contributions to today's discussions. Senator Hayes told me to take events on their tide and I intend in the next few weeks to bring to Government the finalised version of the proposed defamation Bill which will contain provision for a press council along with many of the elements mentioned today as necessary reforms of our law of defamation. Time...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to open this debate on the Garda Síochána Bill 2004. As I stated previously, it contains the most important legislative proposals on policing ever to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill is comprehensive in that it will replace, with only a couple of exceptions, all of the Garda Síochána...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: While the establishment of policing committees has been broadly welcomed there was much debate about the provisions in the Bill as initiated on Committee Stage in the Seanad. This transcended political lines and party ideologies. The key points raised were primacy at local level of elected representatives and town councillors who had a mandate, the involvement of Members of the Seanad and the...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I made a change on Committee Stage in the Seanad to allow a declarant to omit the reference to the deity from the declaration if he or she wishes to do so. Provision is made in the Bill for the appointment of properly trained volunteer members to the Garda Síochána in the future. This provision attracted much comment during the debates in the Seanad. As I stated last week, this is entirely...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy must be joking.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The crime rate per head of the population is down since 1995.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is down since 1995.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not boast; I just give gardaí credit for their achievements.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am not claiming any credit.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The number of gardaí fell when the Deputy's party was in office.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: They will have to do the prescribed training to get their powers.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Does the Deputy want reservists to do two years training?

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has been thought out.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I introduced an amendment in the Seanad on Tuesday to provide for oversight.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is in the Criminal Justice (Terrorism) Bill in the Seanad.