Results 4,821-4,840 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: When the debate adjourned earlier, we were discussing a register of sentences. A number of options are open to us on the broader question of sentencing guidelines. In continental Europe under the civil law system, which is somewhat more structured than our system, minimum and maximum sentences are provided for. In general under the common law system, it is for the Judiciary to decide...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——it is a fact that judges deal with a huge volume of cases. We generally do not allow juries to determine penalties. If one is faced with a murderer on one day and on succeeding days with a rapist, a burglar, an assaulter, a white collar thief, a child abuser and somebody in court on a child pornography charge, it allows one to see the broad mass of humanity and to see crimes in a more...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The point can also be made that judges get tired and worn out with the volume of crime with which they must deal and that they lose the freshness of anger and dissatisfaction that people facing the issue for the first time would have. The truth lies between the two positions. That is the reason I do not believe we should have a system of selection of penalties by juries or that we should...

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am asking people to concentrate on what is in the Bill. We had an interesting discussion, and I am not criticising it, on a new proposition that we should treat unconstitutionally obtained evidence in a new way. I am happy to discuss that type of issue but the Bill before us does not contain that proposal. I ask the Deputies opposite to concentrate on what concerns them in the Bill,...

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am not suggesting that.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Yes but not all of the Hogan report is in the Bill.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Would the Ceann Comhairle put the question?

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The ethics Bill will be initiated in the Seanad. The Government has approved its text and it will be put before the Seanad at the earliest available opportunity, although I do not know the exact timing.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: There has been no broken promise. I understand from the Chief Whip that the House will reconvene on 24 April. The Government has considered the issue relating to the census, raised by Deputy Kenny. There is no question of invalidity in holding an election in those circumstances. If Deputy Kenny had raised the matter relating to the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors with me...

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Government has no proposals to introduce legislation relating to the term "accountant" as the term is rather generic. For example, there are turf accountants, as well as chartered and certified accountants, just as there are lawyers who are not barristers or solicitors.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I believe I have answered that question three or four times in the past month. Serious consideration needs to be given to the issue of legislation to give effect to the protection of children by preventing unsafe people from working with them. One of the problems relates to the issue of soft information and hard information. One of the points that arises in that contexts is what we propose...

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: There is very close co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána regarding dangers to children from sexual offenders.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I will need to communicate with the Deputy on those matters. I do not know when the uncommenced sections of those Acts will commence. The Deputy will need to ask the Minister in question.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I did not say another day. However, if the Deputy raises it in a week's time, I will be in a position to deal with it.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not know the answer to the Deputy's question and it would be disrespectful for me to wing it.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not know the section to which the Deputy is referring.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy does not know, how do I know——

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——and how can I answer?

Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2007: First Stage (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: No. We welcome the Deputy's interest.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: To avoid confusion, we are technically on Report Stage and are recommitting a number of matters.