Results 18,001-18,020 of 18,738 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Michael McDowell: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Michael McDowell: When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

Michael McDowell: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election. Many nice things have been said about him today and I will not add to them, save to say I agree with all of them. I second this motion enthusiastically. Senator Mark Daly is somebody who has devoted himself to the furtherance of the status and purpose of this House ever since he was elected to it. As Senator Doherty has just said, he has...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Michael McDowell: The Senator would probably have stormed ahead and got a very good vote on that basis. Nonetheless, it is the Members' decision. It is not a decision for the Whips or the Cabinet. It is the decision of Members in Dáil Éireann and it should be the Members' decision in this House. When I say this, I do not in any sense want to take away from what has happened today. I endorse...

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Michael McDowell: I really do value his friendship, impartiality, decency and gentlemanship throughout all his dealings with us. Senator Mark Daly's enthusiasm is extremely important. I have no doubt that he and the Cathaoirleach will work together as a team to ensure that this House is run in a friendly, co-operative and decent spirt. It is a great pleasure on my part, and on behalf of several colleagues,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rental Sector (24 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The topic I have tabled for consideration as a Commencement matter is a matter of huge importance and grave urgency. A recent report in The Irish Timesconfirmed my own impression of the private rented-dwelling market, which is that landlords are selling up. Some 40% of houses now on the market are as a result of landlords selling. The reason...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rental Sector (24 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I appreciate that this does not fall within the Minister of State's area of responsibility, and I take that into account. However, what she said reflects a litany of confessions of failure. The reality is that there has been a mass exodus of landlords from the market. They are not being attracted back by tax concessions of the kind that have been announced. Telling a landlord that he or...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rental Sector (24 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: Yes, or they may have married or whatever.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I want to say a couple of things about the Bill. It does make sense for RTÉ to be divested of responsibility for the National Symphony Orchestra because I think RTÉ has to concentrate on the day job, so to speak, of getting its own finances in order and seeing its role as a broadcaster. I am strongly in favour of public sector broadcasting. I regard one of the frightening things...

Seanad: Wind Energy: Statements (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister. I wish to say a few words about this important topic. We need to acknowledge a number of things. As he said, in 2004, I believe we had the first significant wind farm in Europe built off the coast of Arklow. That was Ireland moving ahead. However, Ireland is now behind the curve. As he also said, we are in a race, but we are behind in the race and we need to...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I support the Senator's amendment. I notice that the structure of section 46(1) requires a tiny bit of care. It states: Subject to section 60, the Commission shall consider applications made in respect of a particular vacancy in a judicial office in accordance with the judicial selection statement and shall not recommend an applicant to the Minister or, if appropriate, the Minister for...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: What I am slightly mystified by is whether the process envisaged is one where the commission looks at the candidate, decides whether he or she is "eligible", "possesses the requisite knowledge", "is suitable on grounds of health", has complied with section 44(1) and section 22 and then decides the person is good but that the commission is obliged to have an interview with that person before...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: It is not agreed.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I propose that the amendment be made.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I am proposing that Senator Ward's amendment be made.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I do.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: I object to that.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: There is an aspect of section 47 that we have to consider carefully. It states: (1) The Commission shall, following its consideration of applications in accordance with section 46, recommend to the Minister- (a) where there is one judicial office in the State to be filled in a court, 3 persons for appointment to that judicial office, and (b) where there is more than one judicial office...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2023)

Michael McDowell: How does it help the process if the Government is advised just for its information of the names of 12 people who applied but were not considered suitable? Why is the Cabinet told of the names of 12 unsuccessful people who applied and were unsuitable if it can do nothing about it as a matter of law?