Results 17,201-17,220 of 18,737 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Housing Standards (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: No.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Light Rail Projects (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, which includes Dublin, has made proposals on the regional spatial and economic strategy for 2019 to 2031, which is a 12-year strategy to consider and make provision for the extension of the MetroLink south to the Rathfarnham, Churchtown and Knocklyon direction on one arm and the UCD and Stillorgan direction on the other. I echo what Senator Boyhan...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Light Rail Projects (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am deeply disappointed with the answer given by the Minister of State. The Government is speaking with a forked tongue on this issue. The Taoiseach says he is open to persuasion on other routes. The proposal to extend the metro to Sandyford was stated to be something that would not be required for the next 20 years but now it appears the Government is quietly going back to its original...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: Good man yourself.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: In agreeing with what Senator Lawless has said about the question of votes for citizens, I want to point out that we have an opportunity to do something similar in respect of Seanad reform.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: It is amazing that every avenue of reform is rejected. That is it. I would like to respond to Senator Bacik's remarks about gender equality by mentioning that last night we got the good news of a very worthy series of appointments to the Bench.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: The Supreme Court is very different from what it was 15 or 20 years ago. That is all I will say on that matter.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I would like to contribute to the discussion about farmers. Senator Craughwell has mentioned Iran as a possible market for beef and lamb. I am sure it is. This country needs to be honest and truthful when it comes to the People's Republic of China.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: We are going on our knees to appease a regime that is engaging in the most dramatic and repulsive deprivation of human rights of the past five, ten or 15 years. One million people are detained in re-education camps that are run in the most vicious and humiliating way. The camps are designed to obliterate the identity, language, religious beliefs and way of life of the detainees.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am very grateful to the media for giving publicity to what is going on in China. All of this is being done as part of a policy that is approved by President Xi, whom we feted when he came to this country, and others in Beijing. We are on our knees trying to sell beef to these people. There has not been a whimper of protest from Iveagh House about the Uighur population being the subject...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I was the Attorney General.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I was the Attorney General.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I would love to hear Senator Buttimer's speech relayed to the people in the concentration camps. I would love to hear what they would have to say to the Senator.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am not saying that he should not-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: So do I.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: When we reported progress last night we were in the process of discussing amendments Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive. I was speaking in particular about amendment No. 7 and I want to reiterate a few points I made, not at great length. Amendment No. 7 is effectively to substitute a new definition of the term "lay person" by adding a paragraph (d) to the existing definition. This paragraph (d) adds...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I have no problem with that.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: That is one of the great mysteries.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am happy to explain that to the Senator. If he looks at paragraph (d), there are two parts to it and the first part states that a person is a lay person if he or she: "has never held or occupied, an office or position in a place outside the State equivalent to an office or position referred to in paragraph (a)or (b)". There is no time limit whatsoever on that. The amendment continues:...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (27 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: Correct.