Results 441-460 of 18,724 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: There was a ban on selling them individually. It cannot be right that they are uncontrolled and offered for sale in larger containers, which can only encourage more smoking. It can only have this effect.

Seanad: Restoration of Oireachtas Library and Reading Room: Motion (28 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I move: “That Seanad Éireann: notes: - that a majority of members of the Oireachtas have expressed their support for the full restoration of the Oireachtas Library and Reading Room on the ground floor of Leinster House, and its furnishings and full complement of staff; and calls on: - the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to abandon its proposals to convert that space...

Seanad: Restoration of Oireachtas Library and Reading Room: Motion (28 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: This motion speaks for itself but I want to put the background to it on the record. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has not decided anything on the closure of the Members' reading room. The Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform has received a submission but has not approved it. The submission would mean the existing reading room, which is the shared facility of Senators...

Seanad: Restoration of Oireachtas Library and Reading Room: Motion (28 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: Apart from the scandalous cost involved in it, of over €5 million, I have to say that the whole project has been clouded in mystery and almost the subject of deception. The affected members of staff of the Oireachtas, the Library staff, were told that the Members were in favour of this project. As Members in this House will know, I wrote out to all the Members of both Houses of the...

Seanad: Restoration of Oireachtas Library and Reading Room: Motion (28 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: The arguments against are non-existent, so I will not delay the House any further. I thank all the Members who have spoken in support of the motion for their kind words for the proposers of this motion. People say that the direction of travel is one way. One Member of the other House who spoke to me this evening said it was a fait accompliand there was no stopping it. Then I inquired and...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: The first thing I want to mention today is the reading room downstairs in this building. I circulated the Members of both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Eireann, asking them to express a view as to whether the reading room should be restored to its previous state. I am glad that a very clear majority of Members of both Houses have responded favourably to my suggestion. The reason I...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: No, I am coming to that. It is not the Leader’s role to do that; of course, it is not. However, a Chathaoirligh, it is her role to provide time in which we can discuss all of these matters, and that is what I am asking for.I am asking that we have a real discussion so that we can articulate very clearly what we want to do on this matter, rather than have people decide the agenda in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: People say that one campaigns in poetry and governs in prose. If this is any indication of what that party aspires to do with Ireland's international relations, God help us if it has have any say in the future.

Seanad: Vacant and Derelict Buildings: Motion [Private Members] (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: It is waiting for the fire.

Seanad: Vacant and Derelict Buildings: Motion [Private Members] (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As a preliminary point, this problem has been here for a long time. I have been writing about it in various newspapers for ten years. I am glad to hear what was said by Senator Cummins about Waterford and I am glad that Senator Fitzpatrick is so upbeat about the improvements she sees there. However, the simple fact is we are not doing enough....

Seanad: Vacant and Derelict Buildings: Motion [Private Members] (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: That is a fair point but what about the €20 million it was going to spend on the kayaking centre?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future Treaty Change in the European Union: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I will not take too much time here. The first thing we have to be pragmatic about is the political landscape internationally. The US and French elections are coming up. Who will be in power in Paris? It may well be that Le Pen will be the next President of France. There will obviously not be a reversal of Brexit, but the inclusion of David Cameron in cabinet suggests a consciousness at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future Treaty Change in the European Union: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: Slovakia.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Future Treaty Change in the European Union: Discussion (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I agree with Professor Barrett that it is necessary, but it is not sufficient. I forgot to mention the flip in Poland. Will that not be saying to people that they do not have panic about Orbán because time will sort him out?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I was given a copy of the Trinity College Dublin student newspaper, the Trinity News, today. I note in it, to my sadness, that Senator Norris, a member of the Independent Group, has decided that he will be standing down as a Senator in January 2024. I ask that, given that the Christmas season will soon be upon us, adequate provision will be made in this House to signal our deep sense of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I am getting ready for the new university constituency.

Seanad: Housing For All: Statements (7 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: Talking.

Seanad: Housing For All: Statements (7 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister to the House. I also welcome the upbeat tone of his remarks.Considerable progress has been made, as Senator Fitzpatrick has said. It would be foolish of us to deny this, but it would be equally foolish of us to underestimate what we now face. I want to make several points, first on the Constitution. There is a suggestion that we need to amend the Constitution somehow...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Nov 2023)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Minister of State and thank the Senators for proposing this legislation for our consideration. I am probably in a speaking minority in this debate because I am opposed to the principle of the Bill. I will explain why, if I may. The Leader of the House intends to postpone consideration of the Bill via an amendment. So be it, but the issues are important and need to be teased...