Results 15,161-15,180 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2018)

Michael McDowell: The second issue I was going to mention was touched on by Senator Horkan, namely, the rising tide of people who have no home. Coming into Leinster House, it was interesting to hear the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government dealing with this issue as best he could in an interview on RTÉ radio. However, the fundamental problem as I see it is that we are not engaged in...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2018)

Michael McDowell: It is extraordinary to see the speed with which these kinds of buildings can be built because there are tax incentives and there is a green light for them. One then asks oneself why it takes so long to build accommodation for other classes of the community. I fully accept the point that if a student is accommodated, some other property is not required elsewhere and, therefore, it has a...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2018)

Michael McDowell: I am one of Senator Leyden's electors. I will be voting in the next election.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Influence of Social Media on Elections and Referenda: Discussion (17 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: Can the witnesses reassure me that if, taking a topical example, somebody in Northern Ireland wanted to influence the pro-life, pro-choice issue here, there is no control or sanction in electoral or data protection law that can stop someone putting €1 million worth of selective advertising into that? The Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, did it in respect of Brexit but that is not a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: A representative from the SEAI said it was a cornerstone of its strategy that we should reduce the amount of electricity we consumed, for obvious reasons. Wearing another hat, I know that, when completed, the proposed data centre in Athenry will add between 6% and 8% to Ireland's electricity consumption. There were plans - I do not know if they are still in place - to have at least four...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: Hold on a second. That is making it easier to construct them by getting one single permission. That has nothing to do with whether we are going increase the demand for electricity in Ireland by 28% to 32%.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: Who is doing something about that? EirGrid has told the Department that. Who is lifting the telephone to someone to say that we cannot do this and we must stop it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: I follow that, but that is not the issue I am raising. I understand transmission system constraints like security of supply and the need to spread it around the country. I am asking a more fundamental question. Is it, or is it not, the policy of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment that it is okay to increase the demand for Irish electricity by approximately...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: I will ask Mr. Gannon about it again next year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: I am sorry if I pushed Mr. Confrey on that. I am really talking to them through him. It is all very well for them to bring a memorandum to Cabinet but I hope Mr. Confrey has a good memorandum on the issue as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: Is Bord na Móna in that public sector?

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Commissioner Phil Hogan (26 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: I welcome Commissioner Hogan to the House. His contribution today was important. It is timely for the inherent contradictions and irreconcilable aims being pursued by the Tory Party Government in Britain to be called out for what they are. We face an alliance of the likes of Mr. Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mr. Michael Gove, Mr. Boris Johnson and Mr. Liam Fox telling the British public that there is...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will outline to Senators what is intended by the Bill. Under ordinary rule of practice in the civil courts, there is a judge-made rule in respect of costs that dates back in the medium term to 1968 and a case called Vella v. Morelli. Prior to that, it dates back to the early 19th century. The Irish courts, where a challenge is brought to...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for the fair and reasonable way in which he has approached the Second Stage debate. I thank the members of the Government for the decision they made today in respect of same. As Senator Boyhan has pointed out, the purpose of this Bill is not to take out a meat cleaver and say that in no circumstance could anybody get their costs out...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: Next Tuesday, with the agreement of the Whips.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I thank those Members who have congratulated me on my election as chairman of the implementation group for Seanad reform. I assure all Members of the House that this group, which has yet to convene and have a full meeting, will be open to all suggestions from everywhere in this House and will not have a closed mind. I think I can guarantee that. In response to what Senator Horkan has just...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Taoiseach for appearing before us today. My committee deals with complaints against Senators.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: We have a very quiet agenda.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: Interestingly, it is a criminal offence to reveal what happens at our committee. I cannot say very much on that.