Results 3,541-3,560 of 18,727 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: As the Acting Chairman would clearly know there would have to be a series of votes on the amendments. We would lose half an hour if we do things that way.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: In fairness, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is due to come here to discuss important business and I do not want to delay her.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: The Minister for Justice and Equality was agreeable to adjourn the debate at 7 p.m. and to continue it on another day.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: The Minister for Justice and Equality said so.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I wish to give a brief reply to the Minister. I made a submission to the LRC in 1992. In 2001, the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. John O'Donoghue, brought the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Bill through the House. He took the view, on the advice of the then Attorney General, as I understand it-----

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (30 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: -----that it was inappropriate to attempt to impose a summary jurisdiction against the wishes of an person accused of theft or fraud. That is the up-to-date position. The other position has not changed. A conviction for dishonesty of any form disqualifies one from holding at least 100 positions, according to statute law. I note the Minister's comment that a minor offence of corruption...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Taoiseach for appearing before us today. My committee deals with complaints against Senators.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: We have a very quiet agenda.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: Interestingly, it is a criminal offence to reveal what happens at our committee. I cannot say very much on that.

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I am a member of the committee which shadows the Department of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton is Chairman. I am also inhibited from commenting on Deputy Carey's remarks about the Apple case because I am involved in that litigation. However, I will raise one general point quite separate from that particular...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I thank those Members who have congratulated me on my election as chairman of the implementation group for Seanad reform. I assure all Members of the House that this group, which has yet to convene and have a full meeting, will be open to all suggestions from everywhere in this House and will not have a closed mind. I think I can guarantee that. In response to what Senator Horkan has just...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will outline to Senators what is intended by the Bill. Under ordinary rule of practice in the civil courts, there is a judge-made rule in respect of costs that dates back in the medium term to 1968 and a case called Vella v. Morelli. Prior to that, it dates back to the early 19th century. The Irish courts, where a challenge is brought to...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for the fair and reasonable way in which he has approached the Second Stage debate. I thank the members of the Government for the decision they made today in respect of same. As Senator Boyhan has pointed out, the purpose of this Bill is not to take out a meat cleaver and say that in no circumstance could anybody get their costs out...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 May 2018)

Michael McDowell: Next Tuesday, with the agreement of the Whips.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Commissioner Phil Hogan (26 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: I welcome Commissioner Hogan to the House. His contribution today was important. It is timely for the inherent contradictions and irreconcilable aims being pursued by the Tory Party Government in Britain to be called out for what they are. We face an alliance of the likes of Mr. Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mr. Michael Gove, Mr. Boris Johnson and Mr. Liam Fox telling the British public that there is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: A representative from the SEAI said it was a cornerstone of its strategy that we should reduce the amount of electricity we consumed, for obvious reasons. Wearing another hat, I know that, when completed, the proposed data centre in Athenry will add between 6% and 8% to Ireland's electricity consumption. There were plans - I do not know if they are still in place - to have at least four...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: Hold on a second. That is making it easier to construct them by getting one single permission. That has nothing to do with whether we are going increase the demand for electricity in Ireland by 28% to 32%.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: Who is doing something about that? EirGrid has told the Department that. Who is lifting the telephone to someone to say that we cannot do this and we must stop it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Implementation of National Mitigation Plan: Discussion (24 Apr 2018)

Michael McDowell: I follow that, but that is not the issue I am raising. I understand transmission system constraints like security of supply and the need to spread it around the country. I am asking a more fundamental question. Is it, or is it not, the policy of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment that it is okay to increase the demand for Irish electricity by approximately...