Results 11,861-11,880 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I think it was Goebbels.

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Enough said.

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thank Members for their contributions. Senator Tuffy asked why the Morris report was delayed. Under the Act that permitted the three modules I was under obligation to seek the instruction of the High Court to ensure the report did not interfere with Sergeant White's trial. When I received the report I applied for this direction and was told to await the completion of the trial. The...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I counsel Members of this House to go down the first route of considering management of the force, with which I have no problem, being done by a board meeting weekly and getting on with its task of collective responsibility. I have a real problem with a body modelled on the HSE running the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána operates as the security service of the State and it could not...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the only point I want to make. If we go down the HSE road, we are finished. If we go down the other road, we are motoring. We must have political consensus on this and we do not need to batter each other to death over various labels. We must achieve the substance on which we are agreed.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is proposed to take No. 22a, motion re sittings and Business of the Dáil; No. 23, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Official Languages Act 2003 (Section 9) Regulations 2006 — back from committee; No. 24, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Bovine Diseases (Levies) Regulations 2006 — back from committee; No. 25, motion re proposed approval by Dáil...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy tables a Private Notice Question for this afternoon, I will answer it.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Most of these items, with the exception of arrangements for January, have been discussed at length in committees and every Member of this House is entitled to attend and participate in those meetings. The committee meetings have been reported to this House after extensive discussion and it does not make sense to have a duplicate discussion here when Members of this House refrained from...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: We must press ahead with the business of the House and I hope there will be unanimity today in sending a message to the Garda Síochána that we support the extension of the provisions on drug trafficking and that we support the extension of time of detention for questioning.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: We should unite in saying these things to the Garda Síochána as it looks to this House for guidance and support in a difficult time.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I agree with the Deputies opposite that much time is wasted in this House. We have now spent well over an hour——

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——discussing what we will discuss today——

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——and talking about talk and about work. The Deputies opposite are great men at talking about talk but they do not walk the walk.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The week of parliamentary time that will be spent on the legislation on nursing homes when we resume will be time well spent.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes, it will be an unusual week. It will be a week during which we will not waste an hour every morning talking about the rest of the day.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I know how disappointed——-

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no promised legislation in the area. I am reviewing currently the bail procedures and it is my intention to ask the President of the High Court to have a special bail list for firearms and drugs offences, so that a uniform approach to bail issues for those offenders can be maintained as much as possible.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Taoiseach will be in contact with the relatives of the victims of the Stardust tragedy in the near future. I had a conversation with him about it a couple of days ago. The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 is currently before the House and it deals with the issue of gaming and lotteries. Fixed odds gaming machines are illegal and they are liable to be seized from anyone...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The criminal justice miscellaneous provisions Bill will be published next year. I made my position clear on the other matter this morning on the radio. The Deputy heard me himself.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take all questions together. It is right that we have this opportunity to discuss a matter which is clearly of the gravest concern to Deputies on all sides of this House and the people of this country. The message must go out from here today that we are unwavering in our support for the Garda Síochána in its efforts to eradicate this evil from our midst. It is a cruel irony...