Results 4,041-4,060 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau were strengthened by the enactment in March of this year of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005. The Act makes further provision in respect of the recovery and disposal of the proceeds of crime. It amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and the Prevention of Corruption...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is aware that I published last July the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is on Second Stage in the House. As I have indicated previously, I am considering the introduction of a number of amendments to the Bill, including provision for criminal offences relating to organised crime. I am examining the issue in the context of giving effect in Irish law to the European Union Joint...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Law Reform Commission recently published its final report on public inquiries, including tribunals of inquiry. The report contains almost 60 recommendations about tribunals of inquiry and a draft tribunals of inquiry Bill. The report is being examined in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as a matter of urgency. I intend to bring proposals to the Government in the near...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Rabbitte is the boy who left his satchel at home.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is an outrageous allegation. There is no substance in it. The Deputy has no principles.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is like the question "When did you stop beating your wife?". That is an outrageous allegation.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Those are wild allegations.

Infrastructure Programme. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Or the odd culvert.

Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: That question has just been asked.

Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Was the Deputy asleep? He should take some pep pills.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is very arrogant of me.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: He is not being charged by the State, it is a tribunal matter.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not want to be provocative or confrontational. I published the heads of this Bill two years ago. The Bill has been the subject of extensive public discussion, including preliminary discussion before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It was the subject of a Human Rights Commission report and was then brought to Seanad Éireann. It went through five Stages...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: At that stage, the Opposition parties asked to postpone the holding of Report Stage until they had an opportunity to discuss the Morris tribunal report. That was the sequence of events. We are now in a position to get this legislation on the Statute Book so that the implementation oversight body, chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, can ensure that reform of the Garda Síochána gets going and...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The amendment was also tabled on Committee Stage and I indicated I could not accept it. The Attorney General's advice through the Parliamentary Counsel is that a collective citation would not be appropriate because there would be a conflict between interpretation sections in various statutes and this Bill supersedes the other statutes.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: We are relocating the definition from one position to another and the Bills Office has indicated that, technically, I should recommit the Bill in respect of the amendment to move the definition in the text. I must obey the rules like other Deputies. The fact that we are moving the definition of the Committee of Public Accounts up the page requires a recommittal.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move amendmentNo. 4: In page 10, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following: "'Committee of Public Accounts' means the committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General;". This is a technical drafting amendment by Parliamentary...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The public is watching this debate and if the Opposition is going to play games——

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——and interrupt the proceedings with calls for a quorum, it will draw its own conclusions about what is happening.