Results 441-460 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Commissions of Investigation Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: It can easily be done through Internet broadcasting.

Commissions of Investigation Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: We could call it "Open House".

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: This has been an interesting and stimulating debate. I thank the Senators for all their contributions. Although there have been some criticisms of the Bill and of me, the House has given a warm welcome to the principle of the Bill. We have spent over seven hours discussing its provisions and I look forward to a continuing constructive input from Senators during its next Stages. Unfortunately,...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I can. That is the point. This afternoon I could lift the phone and give a direction and nobody would ever know about it. If Senators want to know what is happening, what I have in mind would give the Commissioner great independence but in the last analysis provide the Minister, with the concurrence of the Government, the power to give a formal directive, provided the Government is willing to...

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I warmly welcome the opportunity to commence the Second Stage debate on this Bill in the Seanad and to listen to Senators' views on its provisions. First, this is a wide-ranging and innovative Bill which seeks to address a number of serious issues concerning civil liability. Chief among these is the tackling of what has become known as the "compensation culture" by introducing new penalties...

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I will now describe the Bill's main provisions. Part 2 deals with the issue of civil liability and provides for procedural and other changes in actions to recover damages for personal injuries. With stated exceptions, the part applies to personal injury actions brought after its commencement. Section 6 amends the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991 by reducing the limitation period...

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: Commenced.

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I should be sanctioned.

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am told there is another similar error somewhere.

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: They have been abolished. If one builds a new house one will not get a rateable valuation any more. If one builds a mansion, nobody will come out and value it.

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: It substitutes market value for rateable valuation.

Seanad: Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004: Second Stage. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The point raised in regard to rateable valuation reflects the new law. The old system of valuation has been swept away. Premises that are subject to rates are being done by reference to their open market value. I will take a look at this measure, however, because it may be important. One advantage of the rateable valuation system is that the rate was set and it was not open to argument. We...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues. (11 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am here on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen. Ireland has a firm position on the protection and promotion of human rights. Together with our EU partners, we are convinced that the promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms for all is essential in order to build a safer and more equitable world. Today, perhaps more than any other time in history, it is accepted...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: This Bill marks an important milestone in the development and regulation of the private security industry in this State. The industry encompasses a broad range of security activities and services, including door supervisors — colloquially known as "bouncers" — private investigators, security guards and consultants, as well as suppliers and installers of security equipment. When enacted,...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: Gardaí will not be entitled to do that.

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the response the Bill has received from Members of the Seanad. I thank Senators for their broadly supportive approach to the Second Stage debate. As I said, it is a matter of considerable urgency. As Senator Terry said, it is one thing to legislate but something different to produce results on the ground. It is an absolute certainty that if we do not produce legislation, we will not...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am not sure if she was in order to discuss the matter but if she was not, I will be equally disorderly by responding to her comments. I think I know from the hints she gave me where such happy hours are to be found.

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: If the Senator draws a case to my attention, I will ensure it is dealt with. I am anxious to ensure all instances of inappropriate promotion of alcohol to young people are drawn to the attention of my Department, the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or the District Court, as appropriate. It is important that we develop a different attitude to drinking.

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I say that in the context of the recent St. Patrick's Day arguments and controversy. As I was out of the country during that period, I was not in a position to draw conclusions of my own on the matter. There is one breed of commentator in public who says I am the personification of the nanny state while, on the other hand, there is a group telling me I am not doing enough to deal with...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: Yes. As long as it comes from both sides, I must be getting it right. Some of the penalties in the Bill are District Court summary conviction penalties but others for offences such as employing unlicensed staff or acting as a security provider without a licence attract indictable penalties of five years' imprisonment and substantial fines on indictment. If an offence is punishable by a term...