Results 4,041-4,060 of 18,746 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: Will the Leader consider asking either the Taoiseach or Tánaiste, whichever feels so inclined, to come before us and explain how it is that the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, who has just been mentioned in a different context, is permitted to write articles in newspapers so charged with inaccuracy and misleading content, as he has done this morning in today's edition of The Irish Times?...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: The other point is that he has on many occasions suggested that the appointment of judges is a matter of political cronyism. I held the position of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2002 to 2007 and the late Rory Brady was the Attorney General at the time. I am absolutely satisfied that if one looks at the appointments we made to the superior courts of Ireland, the great...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: Do not worry. I will get around to it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: Whatever the origin of USC and whether it was an emergency matter, it has the effect, together with income tax, of forming the basis of the marginal rate of tax that many people face. Senator Kieran O'Donnell mentioned the self-employed, of whom I am one. I do not make a plea in respect of myself but I do so on behalf of many other people in the self-employed category. They face a number...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: I would be premature in my announcements.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: They were a help. God.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister and I acknowledge what he has said in his annual transition statement. I note that he has arranged for a written version of this document to be lodged in the Library of the Oireachtas today. I must confess that I consider this transition statement to be somewhat complacent and will set out the reason I think it is complacent. In his opening statement, the Minister...

Seanad: Public Bodies Review Agency Bill 2016: Second Stage (7 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: I support the introduction of this legislation. At first blush, one might ask why we need a quango to supervise quangos. Senator Ó Céidigh is mindful of this potential criticism. However, I point out, in favour of what he said to the House, that we have a habit in this country of establishing bodies and allowing them to proceed. Some 15 or 20 years ago there was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: I wish to emphasise at the outset that what I say about water being brought from the Shannon to Dublin is not based on any concerns about the effect it would have on the Shannon or about farmers seeking compensation for wayleaves across their land. In the last couple of days, I received correspondence from a Ms Emma Kennedy, suggesting that the State is making what she considers to be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: Will a deer be shot on Christmas Day in Killarney?

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2016)

Michael McDowell: Keep the red flag flying.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: This House sends Members to a number of Oireachtas joint committees. I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, as is Senator Leyden. That committee met on 25 October when we considered the then projections for greenhouse gas emissions and the extent to which the State was challenged or not challenged by meeting its national targets in...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the motion, which gives us the opportunity to consider citizens' rights regarding our institutions, especially citizens who do not live in the jurisdiction. Based on the terms of the Constitution, a referendum would be required. Although Senator Ó Clochartaigh expressed a doubt on that issue, to me it is very clear that the only people who can vote in a presidential election...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: It is not a tiny place. It is administered by a handful of people. While there are problems with the register, it can be done if there is a will to do it. I am glad the Minister is present as he was not here for any of the debates on the Seanad Bill and I want him to hear this.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: No, he was not. He sent in the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: Sorry, I remember the Minister was here.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: Yes.

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: The time has come for Fine Gael to make up its mind on Seanad reform and reform of presidential voting rights. This requires leadership from the top of the party, which must decide in this House whether it supports the programme for Government on the issue of Seanad reform. It also requires unambiguous and unambivalent courage and for someone to say the party either supports or does not...

Seanad: Presidential Voting Rights: Motion (30 Nov 2016)

Michael McDowell: The time has come for the Government to be honest with us in this Chamber. It must face up to these issues, stop speaking out of both corners of its mouth and stop talking about establishing groups and having consultations and further contemplations. The Fine Gael Party asked to be in government; it did not fall into government by accident. It assumed the responsibility of government and...