Results 4,781-4,800 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: For somebody who was in a party that 20 years ago was going to establish an independent authority, I do not think the Deputy can say that what I have done in five years is wrong. The other point is that we are part of a Dáil that is entitled to accountability from the Garda Commissioner, who is now the Accounting Officer for the Garda Síochána. There is and will be provision in the...

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: That is not the case.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am running away from nothing.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy sits down I will answer him. For the past four years I have been pushing the Garda radio project with vigour and determination. I have had to negotiate several public procurement hurdles and roundabouts——

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The record shows that I have been pushing that project forward as the Deputies can find out for themselves if they make a freedom of information inquiry.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It has not.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Some things take time.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It was not a question of ordering a radio.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Ordering was not the issue.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It was a procurement issue in respect of a contract for all the blue light services for Ireland which will be fully interoperable with the UK and Northern Ireland systems.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have delivered; the sad fact is that the Deputies did nothing on this matter when they were in office.

Policing Authority. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputies did absolutely nothing.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Work on the Scheme of the Judicial Council Bill is at an advanced stage of development in my Department.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: No, that is still the case and remains so. The Bill as proposed builds on the report of the committee on judicial conduct and ethics chaired by the former Chief Justice, Ronan Keane. That report recognised the need for a procedure for dealing with complaints of judicial misconduct which, while serious in itself, might not warrant the ultimate sanction of impeachment by the Oireachtas....

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Yes. I have had several meetings with the Chief Justice on the matter and have put several models before him and asked for his views on them. I await those views and will act on them as soon as I receive them.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I cannot agree with that. I have produced a working model of a scheme and have asked the Judiciary to examine it and return to me. I have waited a long time for the response. This has been debated several times in the House and I am sure that the views of the Deputies opposite are generally appreciated but I have not received the response I requested.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: No that is not the case but, contrary to the impression that might sometimes be created, I like to consult with the Judiciary and on a matter of such importance I would be loathe to act unilaterally. For that reason I have since January 2005 sought to elicit its views on the issues involved.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is entitled to make a judgment on that matter.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am giving the House the facts. Since January 2005 I have been seeking the views of the Judiciary at large. I do not know the extent to which consultation has taken place within the Judiciary but I am not in a position to tell the House that I have had the response I have sought.

Judicial Misconduct. (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The length of time in question speaks for itself.