Results 921-940 of 18,724 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I note that today marks the funeral of Pierre Zakrzewski, who was an Irish citizen and journalist murdered by Russian forces in Ukraine a few weeks ago. Today is the day of his funeral. He was educated at St. Conleth's College, approximately a mile from the House. He discharged his function has a journalist with great bravery until he was murdered by Russian soldiers as part of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: He probably said to let him out of jail.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Rehabilitative Opportunities within the Prison System: Discussion (29 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I apologise. I was in the Seanad. I am sorry I missed the contributions thus far, but I had an opportunity to have a look at the submissions. I welcome all the speakers. I commend all the work being done and the efforts being made to concentrate on opportunities for rehabilitation, because they are important. I have two main points. I see that the Government is now proposing, in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Rehabilitative Opportunities within the Prison System: Discussion (29 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: When I was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I attended a meeting of governors that was held in the training unit at Midlands Prison. I suggested we should aim towards drug testing to really assist in rehabilitation. I am glad that generation of governors is not representative of today's generation, but there was a somewhat glazed look in their eyes when I proposed the routine...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Rehabilitative Opportunities within the Prison System: Discussion (29 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: It is very difficult to argue that a prisoner is being rehabilitated if he or she is being fed on a drug habit throughout his or her term of imprisonment.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the legislation and it is timely that it should be brought into operation. As a barrister, as a Minister and as Attorney General, it struck me that the previous legislation was well past its sell-by date and had many defects in it. It is good to have one simple method whereby members of An Garda Síochána who are entitled to compensation have a clear path to compensation...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: Before the Minister of State replies I ask him to deal with one question. Is it the case that for the first time there will be an appeal from the High Court decision? There was not, until now. In other words, the State or An Garda Síochána could appeal.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021: Second Stage (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: That is new.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their contributions and submissions. On the dangers of gambling, gambling addiction and the damage it does, does anyone have a problem with the general thrust of the Bill, which seems to regard gambling as something that can be controlled but, in general, should not be discouraged? In that context, I will raise a number of points. First, in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I am not afraid to do so. I have privilege and perhaps that is the situation but they are collaborating in a criminal activity by providing licences for these machines.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Business of Joint Committee (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I propose that Deputy Niamh Smyth take the Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I thank our guests for coming to assist us in considering this legislation. I apologise that the start of the meeting was delayed by members' Oireachtas commitments. Everybody is free to answer my first question. Who here is actually seeking the introduction of licensing of fixed-odds betting terminals in Ireland? I take it from the lack of response that none of the witnesses is seeking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: The witnesses are in the industry. Where is the pressure for fixed-odds betting terminals, FOBTs, coming from? Why is the matter included in this legislation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I am looking at the briefing paper we got from the Library and Research Service. There seems to be mention of the possibility of the introduction of fixed-odds betting terminals and discussion as to the degree of reporting and scrutiny that is required in that regard. I am happy to hear the important groups mentioned are not seeking the legalisation of FOBTs. I can imagine they are a nice...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: I see. On television advertising, I confess that when channel-hopping using my Sky package, the amount of advertising of lottos, bingos and all sorts of things, especially on satellite channels, seems to be growing exponentially. Is it necessary to have such extensive advertising? It cannot be prevented from appearing on the side of football pitches during Premier League matches and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill: Discussion (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: Does anybody want to comment on the fact local authorities have the right to determine whether gaming facilities such as amusement arcades and what are loosely described as casinos operate in their area? Is there any objection to giving local authorities a veto on such matters under the new legislation such as they have under the 1956 Act? I take that silence to indicate there is no...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: It is on the Order of Business that we should have no debate on Ukraine and pass a resolution in line with that in Dáil Éireann. I have no argument with the terms of the notice of motion that is there. However, I want to say this. They are very mild in their terms. I am thinking of the number of people who have already been killed and such things, and this is very diplomatic...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Linda Ervine to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge (3 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: Cuirim fíorfháilte romhat, Linda. Déarfaidh mé cúpla focal as Béarla. My grandfather, Eoin MacNeill, was, with Douglas Hyde, the co-founder of the Gaelic League. In 1913, Douglas Hyde was sidelined a little bit from the Gaelic League movement because it was politicised. My grandfather always regretted that was done to Douglas Hyde. I agree with Senator Kyne....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McDowell: Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom aontú leis na focail atá ráite ag an Leas-Chathaoirleach i dtaobh bás John A. Murphy agus comhbhrón a dhéanamh lena chlann. Tírghráthóir, staraí uasal agus Seanadóir thar barr a bhí ann. Tá brón mór orm go bhfuil sé tar éis bás a fháil. Bhí sé mar...