Results 18,361-18,380 of 18,738 for speaker:Michael McDowell
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Feb 2024)
Michael McDowell: I will make one point. It occurs to me that there is a slightly sinister aspect to this - that the Government wants military judges and the military director of public prosecutions not to be members of RACO or whatever and, at the same time, it is proposed to amend the Defence Acts to make it an offence to make critical remarks about Government policy. Perhaps the Government thinks that if...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Feb 2024)
Michael McDowell: I will withdraw the term "sinister" and replace it with "unusual".
- Seanad: Special Measures in the Public Interest (Derrybrien Wind Farm) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Feb 2024)
Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This is a special and unusual Bill. It arises in the circumstances that ESB, through a subsidiary company called Gort Windfarms Limited., took a lease of property in the mountains between counties Clare and Galway. It built a wind farm on the land it leased, with a considerable number of wind turbines and enough capacity to power 30,000...
- Seanad: Special Measures in the Public Interest (Derrybrien Wind Farm) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Feb 2024)
Michael McDowell: Do not exaggerate.
- Seanad: Special Measures in the Public Interest (Derrybrien Wind Farm) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Feb 2024)
Michael McDowell: I will surprise and shock Senator Boylan by saying virtually everything she said I agree with, except for one bit, which is that she wants this place torn down and €200 million worth of investment to be smashed up. There is potential for huge environmental damage from the remedial works she wants undertaken to make an environmental point. That is a big mistake. I invite the Senator...
- Seanad: Special Measures in the Public Interest (Derrybrien Wind Farm) Bill 2023: Second Stage (20 Feb 2024)
Michael McDowell: Removing them from that environment will be a massive operation. I was glad Senator Kyne said local opinion is with us on this. It was suggested at the time that some environmentalists locally were wholly opposed to this. Possibly there were a few but we spoke to local people from the community when we visited Derrybrien and were satisfied the people of Derrybrien were with us and wanted...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Mar 2024)
Michael McDowell: He is building a gallows this weekend.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2024)
Michael McDowell: I want to mention a matter today of considerable importance. The European Commission has imposed a lump sum fine of €2.5 million and a daily fine of €10,000 on Ireland for failure to transpose the Audiovisual Media Services directive. This House established a committee, after grave difficulty and resistance from some quarters in the permanent government of Ireland, the...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Mar 2024)
Michael McDowell: On the day that is in it, I will commence by expressing my own personal thanks to the Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar, for all of the work he has done for Ireland during his period as Minister, Tánaiste and Taoiseach. They have been stressful and hard years and I fully understand the toll that such service can take on people who have dedicated themselves to public elected office. I want...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Mar 2024)
Michael McDowell: Did the Taoiseach show Senator Horkan the paper?
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: I received an amended notice or indication of what would transpire tomorrow, including a motion regarding the State opting into the European regulations underlying the migration and asylum pact. I asked that the Joint Committee on Justice engage in a serious consideration of the proposal. This has the effect of bringing into Irish constitutional law, in effect, obligations and a...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: That is the proposal but it will not get any consideration at all and this is what I want to alert everybody in this House to. This is a most serious matter. Today I was also given access to the speaking note for the Cathaoirleach of that committee and it makes clear that none of the Minister's officials can answer any questions and only the Minister will do it.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: Yes but the committee is entitled to-----
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: I have a limited amount of time.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: Sorry-----
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: I know full well what the arrangements are. I am saying that I have the speaking note for the Cathaoirleach of that committee, which involves an absolute whitewash. After the Minister has made her submissions and members have made contributions, that is the end of the matter and that is the only consideration that is proposed to be given to this proposal. I protest most strongly. This is...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: The reason I am mentioning this is because-----
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: Just let me finish. The Cathaoirleach interrupted me.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: With respect, I have run into a barrage from the Chair.
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)
Michael McDowell: I protest-----