Results 16,421-16,440 of 18,737 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: The section that is proposed to be amended would read:In advising the President in relation to the appointment of a person to a judicial office the Government shall consider for appointment those persons whose names have been recommended to the Minister or, in the case of section 44 the Government in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Even without the word "firstly", the legislation...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: I will briefly mention two things arising from what Senator Horkan said. I had a rush-hour trip through the city centre in a taxi the other day and while I looked through the window I noticed many large buildings for student accommodation across the city. I am not against student accommodation as it is needed and it is very important. However, it seems strange that student accommodation,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: Cork is moving to Ringaskiddy and Dublin Port should move to Bremore.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: As others have done, I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, for the manner in which she has personally handled the issue, especially in the media and at the wrong end of probing questions from doubting and sometimes hostile interviewers from a neighbouring jurisdiction. She has remained calm, cool, objective and persuasive at all times. I agree with what has been said about her...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: They have said "No", so that is it. Looking, as I did earlier, at the opinion given by the Attorney General, Mr. Cox, it became clear that this scenario was about to evolve. This means that, on the face of it, although we can hope for the triumph of hope over experience, the realistic view is that she will lose the substantive motion and we will then go into the uncharted territory of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: I express my complete agreement with what Senator Ned O’Sullivan has just said. This mean-minded capacity on the part of some critics in Ireland to criticise Ireland availing of the St. Patrick’s Day festival internationally is counterproductive, self-harming in an extraordinary way and would achieve absolutely nothing except a diminution in the profile of Ireland internationally.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: As Attorney General and as Minister, I went to very far corners of the earth on St. Patrick's Day. It was important that the functions we carried out in those states happened. It would be so easy on account of one emergency arising from Brexit to clear this item from the diaries of governments across the globe in such a manner that it would never appear again. It would be regarded as...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: Absolutely. Senator Reilly also knows.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: I would also like to raise the matter just mentioned by Senator Ardagh, that of the decision made today in respect of the MetroLink project. It appears that the National Transport Authority is now saying that the absorption of the Luas green line into the metro system will not be necessary for another 20 years, despite the fact that it was being proposed that it be commenced in the next...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: I assure the Leader that I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of the Luas project. Some people who are more sensitive than me think it affects the amenity of their homes, but that does not worry me in the slightest. I live in a city and I am quite happy to live in a city.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: The ineptitude of the planning of Dublin's future transport requirements is just colossal. I will finish on this point. It was planned to connect Heuston Station with Connolly Station underground by DART, but that has been shelved.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: We built a tunnel under the park to get Kerry teams around to Croke Park.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Mar 2019)

Michael McDowell: An Bord Pleanála recently refused to allow Dublin City Council to build a bridge because it would interfere with that project, which has been shelved. I will finish on this point. We need an elected mayor of Dublin. We need somebody in Dublin who makes decisions and is accountable to the people for them. We need Dublin City Council to be given some function in relation to the...

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome sight of this legislation. I also welcome the amendments that are being proposed on sentencing guidelines. Of course there is a difficult balance to be struck between the administration of justice, which is the prerogative of the Judiciary, and the independence of the Judiciary on the one hand, and the entitlement of the Legislature to have...

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: I do not want to deflect the debate too far since we are dealing with particular amendments. Senator Bacik referred to Thornton Hall. It should be built because Mountjoy Prison should be knocked down because it is wholly unsuitable. Those of us who have been to visit it-----

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: Just like myself. Those of us who have been to visit it will appreciate that it is and always will be wholly unsuitable for the rehabilitation of prisoners. At least Thornton Hall would have had the advantage of having space to play football, have running tracks and so on that could give offenders a decent life. Such facilities would also help to physically rehabilitate them. The site...

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: I agree.

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Committee Stage (2 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: I do not want to delay proceedings and I do not want to pry into matters which I perhaps should not pry into but can the Minister indicate if these amendments are broadly agreeable to the Judiciary or are they the subject of controversy?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: I agree entirely with Senator Horkan on the need to be intelligent and sensitive about the transfer of school management control.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Apr 2019)

Michael McDowell: Some of the stuff we heard on RTÉ this morning was a bit hair-raising for parents, and it was pessimistic for the process if it is going to continue like that. I also agree with the Senator on the issue of ATMs. If it is possible to insert dye destruction devices into briefcases for couriers carrying money, which contaminates the money, I cannot understand why it cannot be done in...