Results 161-180 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: On an point of order of some importance to me, Senator Brian Hayes was guilty of a serious breach of protocol when he referred to the Deputy Michael McDowell as Citizen McDowell. Such references, together with the concomitant bestial references from other Members, run the risk of seriously damaging my good name. I ask the Cathaoirleach to see to it that Senator Brian Hayes and others desist...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: There is a more serious matter to which I wish to refer. Is the Government still committed to introducing the whistleblowers Bill? The Leader will recall that some three years ago the Taoiseach, in the Lower House, committed the Government – I assume his commitment follows through to this Administration – to supporting a Private Member's Bill in the name of my current party leader which...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: "Poodle" was the word that really upset me.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: May I raise a point of order?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: This is not intended to be frivolous, although the first sentence may make it seem so. The Cheltenham festival is to be held next week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: It is a genuine point of order. If you hear me out, you will see that it is a point of order.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: It is a genuine point of order.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: Why has Committee Stage of the Bill in question been scheduled for a week when we all know the Minister for Finance will be unavailable?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: The Minister for Finance will not be here next week. It is a serious discourtesy to the House to schedule Committee Stage of the Bill for a week when we know the Minister will not be here.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: The Senator should not postpone the guillotine.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: We do our best.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: This is genuinely a very bad day for democracy. I heard Senator Quinn's very eloquent contribution and I wholeheartedly agree with his argument. Senator Dardis made a very interesting point which bears some deliberation. We have inherited the British way of doing things. Our Civil Service and system of government was given to us by the British and we have stuck pretty rigidly to it for 70 or...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: Maybe so. I did not intend to be frivolous this morning but my point is that it is important we have a serious Committee Stage if we are taking Second Stage in the manner in which we are. We will not have a serious Committee Stage if the senior Minister and the Minister of State are not here to deal with it. What is the point in our coming in and wasting our breath if somebody from another...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am certainly but I would like to make the point that the Minister or Minister of State should be here next week so that we can have a serious Committee Stage debate. One of the provisions in the Bill relates to the length of time for making a decision. The legislation allows the time to be lengthened from three months to four months. This is notional. In practice it takes a good deal longer...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: On a point of order, can the House be guaranteed that there will be a Minister with responsibility for the Bill present?

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: The House has spent seven hours discussing this Bill—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: You have not heard what I have to say.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: I have a point of order. The Leader has made a proposal regarding Commmittee Stage and I am looking to make a comment in that regard.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: I am merely looking for a committment from the Leader, given the unprecedented nature of the debate, that there will be a real Committee Stage with a Minister able and willing to take amendments. It is not an unreasonable proposition.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Derek McDowell: I take up the point made by Senator Maurice Hayes because it is crucially important. The Minister referred to the possibility of using departmental guidelines. That completely misunderstands the nature of some of the comments and recommendations of the commissioner. The commissioner says the very constitutional definition of Government is at stake, that doubt is being cast by the way it is...