Results 9,241-9,260 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not extraordinary. It is perfectly reasonable. It will achieve a uniform policy across the country and allow the Commissioner to have an input into the decision making by Superintendents. I do not think that every aspect should be secret. I appreciate that if the Commissioner said something very general like, "be careful about younger applicants", that would not have any security...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I mentioned paying special attention. I did not say anything about denying a certificate.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I did not.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has been agreed with the shooting organisations that the general guidelines will be discussed with them and published. I do not accept the proposition that a confidential guideline cannot be issued on occasion, although that may surprise people. Deputy Howlin referred to my attitude to the Freedom of Information Act 1997, but I remind him that before the introduction of amending...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: My other point is that the deliberative process before the amendment was being seriously diminished by the requirement that all related documents be available to the public. The Freedom of Information Act 1997 was changed in that respect, since which time the situation has improved. One now hears genuine opinions and both sides of the story.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: That was the decision of an officer of the Department and had nothing to do with me.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: My point is that I do not accept every guideline must be published. However, I believe general ones will be published and that the shooting organisations know that.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I said nothing of the sort. I said it might be possible, for instance, for the Commissioner to have brought to the attention of local superintendents the need to pay special attention to persons who lived in close proximity.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: So that special attention might be paid to avoid heightened risk. That is all.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I hope that the Deputy does so. The term "special attention" does not mean that a person may have no gun. It simply means one must be careful.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no general right to bear arms in this country. We do not live in the United States.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is a general right to public security.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not wrong. The Deputy is winging it.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I did not say that. I said that special attention would have to be paid.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is because of the heightened risk in certain circumstances.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: We heard the Deputy's advocacy of lethal violence last night.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Apropos of last night's debate, a wit said to me that, as far as he could see, the difference between the two Private Members' Bills was that the Progressive Democrats were willing to have people shot in the head, whereas Fine Gael Members were concentrating on shooting themselves in the foot.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 97: In page 41, line 14, after "is" to insert "a rifle or pistol". Amendments Nos. 97 to 103 to section 32 insert a new section 4 in the Firearms Act 1925. The new section specifies the conditions for the granting of a firearms certificate. There are seven amendments proposed to this section. Amendments Nos. 97 and 102 are in my name. The former is a drafting amendment...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Indeed, and for that reason, there must be a careful assessment of Deputies Howlin and Jim O'Keeffe.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: If someone is mentally dodgy and the superintendent must decide whether to make further inquiries as envisaged by my amendment, the superintendent may ask for the person's medical history. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's amendment asks that I positively require the superintendent in every case to start engaging in psychiatric evaluations of the people being dealt with. That would have two effects....