Results 7,301-7,320 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: She said she hopes the economy will crumble before the road can be built.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: This is the party that has proposed the Noise Bill.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not customary to have a division. If the Members opposite want to have a division, we can waste another 20 minutes on sending the Supplementary Estimates to the committee.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: If they want to do that, they are welcome to do so.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no promised legislation on that matter. On sentencing, the Deputy will be aware that the recently established balance in the criminal law committee is looking at that issue. As regards the rights of home occupiers to defend themselves, the Deputy will, of course, be aware that there is no U-turn. My party colleague, Senator Morrissey, moved a Bill in the Seanad——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: No, I did not rubbish it and I want to assure the House that issue will be dealt with in a responsible and sensible manner in the criminal law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, which it is to be published in the first quarter of next year.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Strictly speaking, legislation is not promised. That report is being considered by Government. It has been published and put into the public domain. On Friday the Government hopes to receive the report on cohabitation from the Law Reform Commission. When these two reports have been studied any legislation initiative on foot thereof will be decided on at that point by Government.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: No, the Deputy cannot take it that there is any long-fingering process. The Government is facing up to this issue and has requested one report, which it has put into the public domain. It is also awaiting the second report, which will be published on Friday. I suggest there is no question of long-fingering it and it will be interesting to see whether there is consensus on that side of the...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Taoiseach has indicated that it is the Government's policy to introduce legislation to bring fairness to people who are in a relationship of the type contemplated, but the exact form that takes must await consideration of the two reports.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy seems not to understand ordinary English. I said——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——no legislation was promised. I indicated the Taoiseach had said it was Government policy to legislate in this area and there is no contradiction between those two statements.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the House well knows, promised legislation is not covered by the Leader of the Government saying it is intended that——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have indicated that the Taoiseach has stated it is the policy of the Government to bring forward legislation on the subject of the predicament of people who are in unions that are not recognised by the law at present.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have indicated clearly and unequivocally to the House that the Government is in possession of one report on the options available to it, which it intends to study. On foot of such a study a decision will be made as to whether any or all such options will be put forward before the House in the form of legislation. As for the other paper, namely, the Law Reform Commission's paper on the...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is the intention of the Government to legislate in this area. However, I wish to make it clear to Members that the scope of the legislation has not yet been decided.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Hence it would be absurd of me to state in the House when so-called promised legislation would come in——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When the Government has not——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When the Government has not had an opportunity to even consider the basic components of such legislation. While Members may shout and roar about the matter, the Government intends to proceed carefully in this respect.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Taoiseach has indicated there will not be a constitutional referendum in this area and that it is his intention to deal with the matter legislatively without a referendum. However, the format, substance and thrust of the legislation has not yet been decided. It would be absurd for me to state it would be available within any particular timeframe when the Government has not yet had an...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A proposal is a suggestion that there will be legislation of a particular kind.