Results 1,081-1,100 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: I then get a notice to the effect that I have the option to pay a fixed charge or in default of payment the case may end up in court.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: Is that notice sent by the Garda?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: Does that notice inform me that I should pay the fixed charge to the service provider?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: What happens if I do not pay it?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: Perhaps I am wrong, but that does not seem like a huge gain in efficiency.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: What if one did not pay? Only the garda would know this.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: Is a specific penalty provided for in the event that somebody does not produce a licence? I ask because in my experience the offence of not having a licence or not being in a position to produce a valid licence is at times treated surprisingly leniently by the courts. On my reading, the section does not provide a particular penalty.

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: Is that in the 2002 Act?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: As I am conscious we are running short of time, I will ask a short question arising from what Senator Morrissey mentioned. Does legal provision exist for the clamping of vehicles in private car parks?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: Does that mean it is extra-legal or illegal?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: The Minister of State will be aware of at least one example of a supermarket, not too far from where he has his constituency office and where I live, that provides for clamping in its car park. Without legal provision for taking action, it seems to be at least borderline doubtful as to whether the owners of that car park should be doing so. It should be necessary to have legal authority...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: I am not sure I agree with Senator Paddy Burke on this matter. The section is a response — or at least a partial response — to the provision of so-called "company cars" to young people. This phenomenon has been a real scourge in some communities where unscrupulous dealers or individuals who just happen to possess cars have sometimes given or sold them to under age children who drive them...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: How does amendment No. 6 stand as regards Report Stage? Can it be re-entered?

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: My first experience of Paddy was not dissimilar to that of Senator Ross. Shortly after I was elected in 1992, I remember coming to the front gate of Leinster House before the beginning of the Dáil term. I had been to Leinster House before then for Christmas parties of the Labour Party and other such functions but had never entered the place of my own right. I confess that was a wee bit...

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: He showed me where to sign and stated that he would sort me out. It was this kind of informality that marked Paddy's service in Leinster House. I, too, saw the curriculum vitae with which we have been provided and it astonished me that Paddy has been a member of staff for so long. It is somewhat strange to be speaking about Paddy almost in the past tense because I know I will see him again,...

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: I also encounter him very occasionally in St. Vincent's GAA club. Paddy has been a true friend to us all. There is an obvious warmth to the genuine tributes we have heard this morning. We are all grateful for the assistance Paddy has given us over the years. Senator Brian Hayes is right in saying that this is also the case in respect of the other ushers. In all my time in the House, I never...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: I join the other Members in wishing the Cathaoirleach and his staff a happy Christmas and a good new year. It has been an interesting session in some ways. The Leader has been extremely successful in streamlining the processes of the House. We have managed to separate the Second Stage from the Committee and Remaining Stages of Bills, something that did not always happen previously and does...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: I was going to leave some reflections on the bigger issues until last but as Senator Maurice Hayes and others have introduced them, I will commence with them. I do not accept the general proposition that we should ask people to pay for care in the circumstances which currently operates. The current system is a typically Irish mess with several different tiers where people are asked to pay for...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: The Cathaoirleach is right. I withdraw my excessively familiar references to the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. An explanation is needed and we are entitled to hear it. Those we have heard do not ring true. It is not good enough for those involved to claim they simply forgot about it. I am concerned about curative legislation as it should be treated with great care....

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (17 Dec 2004)

Derek McDowell: I agree. Our official amendment has been drafted by Parliamentary Counsel and I am satisfied with the form it takes.