Results 15,081-15,100 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Michael McDowell: There are a few questions that I would like to put arising out of the presentations. I found them very helpful on all fronts. I think the idea that the post office should be a local State office is a good one. It should also be a portal for online services, even with the State. The idea that it could be used for medical consultations and other suggestions is really inventive thinking. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Michael McDowell: It referred to An Post hunting for commercial work, for instance, as a local agency.

Seanad: Garda Overtime Budget: Statements (29 Nov 2017)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister to the House. Like Senator Clifford-Lee, I believe questions are to be asked. I appreciate that the Minister is putting a good gloss on what happened and that it has been a tough week for him. There is no doubt that Assistant Commissioner Leahy's statement went out and the reaction from the public was one of dismay. There was a reaction among many gardaí, who...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2017)

Michael McDowell: I want to endorse what Senator Horkan said. We are not talking about the ultra rich when we are talking about people who are paying the marginal rate rather than the standard rate. I agree with Senator Devine that there should probably be minimum effective tax rates for everybody in this country. I would probably go further and say that there should be minimum effective tax rates for every...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2017)

Michael McDowell: It occurs to me that there is a very strong case to be made for examining the issue of minimum effective tax rates across the taxation system. I know small efforts were made to achieve this in the area of income tax in the past. It is wrong, however, that a person with a secretarial post pays a much greater proportion of her or his salary in tax than some of the wealthiest and most...

Seanad: Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Dec 2017)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the unwinding of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, reductions and adjustments as it makes sense at this stage. Of course, there is another angle at which we have to look, namely, those areas where there is two-tier remuneration, with a view to ensuring it is equalised or got rid of as soon as possible, unless there is a very strong case that the prior...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2018)

Michael McDowell: I move that this House supports Senator Black's Bill and express my support for it. Although I have listened carefully to the Tánaiste, I believe that there is a way of finding a middle ground between the flexibility he seeks on one hand and the principled, correct view expressed in the Bill at its heart. All of us know that it is for the Executive to conduct Irish foreign policy and...

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2018)

Michael McDowell: -----and this is what the Bill is all about. In view of the fact that the Tánaiste has indicated in writing to Senator Higgins, Senator Black and others that the Government will come back to this before the summer and in Government time, and the clear opportunity for us to amend the Bill to say that it is to be the law in Ireland but that its operation may be suspended as long as the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá i dtaobh ár gcomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. Tá sé sa nuachtáin go bhfuil sé ar intinn aige éirigh as oifig mar Sheanadóir. Go pearsanta, ba mhaith liom a rá gur duine gealgháireach, macánta agus cairdiúil é agus guím...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: -----and we decide in this House how we vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: We do not succumb to lobbying from outside as to what we say, do or think, or do with our votes or with our mandates in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: There are places in the world where particular interest groups, and particular national interest groups, have immense clout and where people are afraid to speak their minds on issues. In this House I would consider it not merely our right but our duty to consider legislation, and to give it a fair debate, without interference by the representative of any sovereign power. I say that without...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: Section 58 of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947 provides that where two or more vacancies occur and the Minister is notified of them, two entirely separate elections must take place to fill the vacancies.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: There is nothing wrong with it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: Just one per corner.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: If the Leader repeats that, we will get to 5 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: I wish to address two matters. First, I note that the Leader has proposed that the debate on the Data Protection Bill should finish at 1.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2018)

Michael McDowell: He has explained to me the personal circumstances of the Minister for Justice and Equality and his inability to bilocate on this occasion. The Leader has put this forward as a reason for the debate to be adjourned at 1.30 p.m. The consequence of this is that important issues will not be reached today which I had a significant personal interest in having read. However, I know the House is...