Results 16,721-16,740 of 18,737 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: Yes, but the problem is that I must speak on both amendments in the group because I will not be allowed to say anything if-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: The second amendment in the group is No. 97cd which proposes to insert the word "other" after the word "any" in line 27. The Bill would read: "The Procedures Committee may request submissions or observations, within such period as is specified in the request, from any other person that it considers appropriate". If the amendment that the Minister has just accepted to subsection (1) is made,...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am obliged to the Minister.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: Again, I express my gratitude to the Minister. This proves that we are not just wasting our time in this House on this. We are making slow but steady progress with this legislation. I take it we will now be moving on to discuss the section.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 97cd:In page 33, line 27, after “any” to insert “other”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: On the section itself, it occurs to me that even though the two amendments have been made, about which I am happy, the procedures committee is, regrettably, still effectively going to go through its entire process without consulting the Government in any shape or form. The Government is entitled to be consulted at a preliminary stage for the reasons I explained earlier. I am not happy that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: I want to put on the record my preliminary observations on the plan by the Office of Public Works, OPW, to carry out major work in the Phoenix Park. The OPW does tremendous work and I have huge admiration for it. It has done a great job in conserving the Phoenix Park and making sure it has not degraded. I have no problem with the building of a bridge over to the Islandbridge war memorial,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: Part of the character of the Phoenix Park is that a lot of the land is unused or underused, creating its own attractions. There are places where deer can go, far away from funicular railways and such things.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: The zoo has not sprawled all over the park but has expanded into lands beside Áras an Uachtaráin. The magazine fort, which I walked around on one occasion when it was carelessly left open, is decaying completely in front of our eyes but it could be a military museum or something like that. Allowing it to degrade any further would be a big mistake.As somebody who loves the Phoenix...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: They could do without a funicular railway going through the park.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: Will Fifth Stage be taken on Tuesday?

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: I was going to say a few words on the Bill, but I do not mind.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am in no hurry.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I apologise that I was not here earlier. I hope I will not be repeating what other Members may have stated. The Judicial Council Bill has received support right across the House from Senators of every view and outlook. Amendments were facilitated on Committee Stage in order to see the legislation through. We were promised that further amendments would be tabled on Report Stage. The time...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: Why do we not look for solutions to well-established and well-understood problems?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: The Minister is included in all sport coverage.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: Fine Gael were out of office very quickly afterwards.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I said most of what I intend to say on section 51. I have a problem with it but I do not think the Minister was persuaded on the points I made.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 97d:In page 34, line 10, after "requisite" to insert "experience,"

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2019)

Michael McDowell: Section 52(2) states:The published statement may set out different selection procedures in relation to appointments to— (a) different judicial offices, and (b) a particular judicial office where applicants already hold judicial office, Will the Minister indicate the different selection procedures that will apply in respect of appointments to a particular office where applicants...