Results 13,401-13,420 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Keep coming.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Let us send the issue to the committee and let us see how badly divided Fine Gael and Labour are on the issue.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: By way of background to this, as the House is aware, I indicated in October 2006 that I was setting a rebalancing committee in process to study the criminal law. I established that committee in November. A series of very brutal murders took place in December and on all sides of this House, there was a call for urgent action on the part of the Government. In December, having consulted with...

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I note people's objections to Friday sittings. Tomorrow is to be a legislation day. There will not be an Order of Business, so we will not spend an hour wrangling over it tomorrow. We will get on with the business of this House. I thank Deputy Hogan for indicating support for this Bill. I have not heard an unambiguous statement yet from the Labour Party as to whether it supports the Bill.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I know where Deputy Ó Snodaigh stands. He is against the Bill and I commend him on saying that.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I would prefer a little more candour from the Opposition as to where it stands on the principle of this Bill.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am sure I will get it in a few weeks, because in three weeks time we will have the Report and Final Stages of the Bill in this House and then we will be in a position to see whether the Labour Party supports it.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Second, Committee and Report Stages will be spread over three weeks in this House.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: That will give Members ample time to discuss all their views on the matter.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: All of this posturing means very little to the people.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The ethics Bill will be published this session. As the Deputy will appreciate, Senator Morrissey introduced a home defence Bill in the Seanad——

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——and the Deputy's party introduced another one. The heads of the Bill have been approved. I hope there will be speedy progress, since they are well drafted and well crafted heads.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy must be having a senior moment or be so busy preparing his questions that he was not listening to what was said. I was asked that question a moment ago and I said that the Bill would come in this session.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: That depends on the co-operation of the Opposition. If we spend an hour every morning on this kind of nonsense, who can say?

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: When the Deputy sees it, he will not be disappointed, and I am sure there will be all-party agreement to its early passage. We spend an hour every day on this routine. The other question was put so long ago that I cannot remember it.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Yes, it concerned cricket.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: To refer to the early part of Deputy Rabbitte's innings when he raised the cricket issue, I congratulate the Irish cricket team very sincerely on its magnificent achievement in the West Indies. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has made special arrangements to provide consular support for the band of 1,500 Irish supporters there with the players to ensure their welfare.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Second, I am sure the Deputy will join me in sending our best wishes to the Irish soccer team, which this weekend will play in Croke Park for the first time. I presume the Deputy will join me in congratulating the Irish rugby team on its achievements in Rome last weekend. The under-20s deserve particular mention for their great achievement in winning the Grand Slam in Europe.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The legislation is passing through the House and has been ordered for Report Stage. With co-operation among the parties, it will get an early hearing.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Both Bills are scheduled for publication this year.