Results 23,721-23,740 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: With all due respect, Deputy Martin was given six minutes in respect of his question.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: There is no point in starting another around of questions if only ten minutes remain.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: The Taoiseach could just answer the question that we both already asked.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: There are proactive things that we can do in this State, rather than looking to the future to see what might be negotiated. We should now be investing in our ports and in access routes. We should look for the repositioning of the globalisation fund to assist vulnerable sectors that are already impacted by currency changes. There should be a twin-track approach. There are things that we...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: Will the DUP support that?
- Pre-European Council: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: This will be an important occasion for the Taoiseach as it will be his first European Council meeting as Taoiseach at a critical time for our country and, indeed, at a critical time in the EU's history. On a point made by Deputy Martin in earlier discussions, it is unfortunate that, as the critical part of the Brexit negotiations begins, the team that represents our country and the...
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: There is no such thing as a point of information under Standing Orders.
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: Can I have my clock restarted?
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: I have no wish to tell the Leas-Cheann Comhairle the rules of the House, but there is no such thing under our Standing Orders as a point of information. At the outset, I want to make one thing absolutely clear. I have known Ms Justice Máire Whelan for many, many years.
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: She is a person of integrity and passion, with a steely determination and an absolute commitment to leaving our nation a better place than she found it. I knew her back when I was drafting the Civil Unions Bill in 2006. Her immense experience in the area of family law was invaluable in helping us to draft the legislation that became the precursor for civil partnership legislation, which, in...
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: It is true to say that, in his first report, Mr Justice Fennelly appeared to raise a quizzical eyebrow at those of us in government who reacted so swiftly and decisively when we were told that Garda telephone conversations were being recorded right across the country. It would have been bizarre not to have looked askance at such a development. To categorise as alarmist those who were...
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: I heard Deputy Micheál Martin do exactly that yesterday afternoon. In listing off the judges for whom he has respect, one thing was immediately noticeable, namely, that they are all men.
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: It has to be said that there has been more than a whiff of misogyny about some of the comments we have heard in recent days. Even more, there has been a stench of political opportunism. Not for the first time, in recent days we have seen Deputy Micheál Martin’s willingness to send out his own senior counsel onto "Morning Ireland" to march Fianna Fáil up a hill. The...
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: This week, we heard it had been breached over a judicial appointment. Frankly, it has become embarrassing to hear Fianna Fáil’s successive claims of outrage, each of which is predictably followed after a couple of days by a quiet climb-down.
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: Whether over the Garda Commissioner or this matter, Deputy O'Callaghan is sent off to play the part of the Grand Old Duke of York. He marches the Fianna Fáil Party up to the top of the hill and then he marches it back down again while Deputy Micheál Martin decides on which side of the issue he actually stands.
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: I have spoken warmly about Ms Justice Whelan this evening because I think she will make an excellent judge. That does not mean that I think that the events that led to her appointment to the Court of Appeals were in order.
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: I have said and I believe that the lack of a transparent process was absolutely wrong. It is unfortunate that her appointment as a judge has been overshadowed by a political row. For 20 years and more, the Labour Party has been committed to improving openness and transparency in public life. Arguably, we have done more than any other party to seek to raise standards in public office, to...
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: To truly champion the highest of standards, we must do so on every occasion-----
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: -----even when we know and we like the people directly involved. Unfortunately, it seems that no objective test was applied in this particular case. That has raised question marks about whether other qualified candidates had their applications handled in an objective and transparent manner. It has at least appeared to link this appointment to the reopening of the Stepaside Garda station,...
- Appointment to the Judiciary Nomination Procedure: Statements (21 Jun 2017)
Brendan Howlin: Does the Deputy think she was wrong?