Results 301-320 of 18,724 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I appreciate that but I am asking a different question. If they are amended later, are we stuck with the amendment once we opt in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: We would opt in to any amendment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: There are a few things arising out of that. I will briefly respond to what Deputy Farrell said, although I do not want to get into a debate with him. Our opt-ins under Article 29, or the options and discretions that Ireland is empowered to make by resolutions of both Houses, are fundamental to sovereignty. For instance, we can surrender such things as tax unanimity, corporation tax...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I agree with Deputy Harkin that there is a distinction between sovereignty and the requirement for a referendum under Article 29 of the Constitution, but it does not mean it is any less a derogation of sovereignty when the State opts in and confers on other institutions the right to make decisions over a large area of what used to be national autonomy. Some 80% of asylum applications now...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: Has the Department ever broken them down by category? For example, this person had been in Birmingham for five years and then decided to come to Ireland because he must go home otherwise.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: People like students.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I appreciate that, but if 80% of the 15,000 to 20,000 who apply for asylum per annum in Ireland are coming from the UK, do we send 80% of them back to the UK and say to the UK, "You handle these people"? Is that the situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: Do we do that? Do we say that 80% of the 15,000 or 20,000 go back to the UK and we have nothing further to do with them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I am starting to realise that is theoretically the case but I am trying to understand the practice. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people come here annually looking for asylum. If what the Minister said is correct, and I fully accept that 80% of them come via the UK, do we send back 80% of 15,000 to 20,000 people to the UK to have their asylum applications dealt with or do they just melt into...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I can see that. Can I just finish one point?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations and Directive on International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Discussion (23 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I will not delay the proceedings. I just want to understand one thing. Between the indirect UK-EU people and UK people simply with no EU transit, the Minister said 80% of our asylum applications are constituted by people who have come to Ireland from the UK at the moment.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: Yesterday, I referred to a peaceful protest outside the House here as being probably extremist. I want to apologise to the people who participated in that protest. They were, in fact they were an entirely legitimate and well-intentioned group of people who came to protest. I received an email today from Michelle Keane, who organised it. I want to acknowledge that it was unfair of me to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: I tried.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that the division be taken again by other than electronic means.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Apr 2024)

Michael McDowell: It is not agreed.

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.