Results 13,421-13,440 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is no surer sign of this than Senator Ross's proposal of this motion because I note that he moves from the right slightly to the left, as required by the electoral process.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The same applies, I am sure, to Senator Cox. I agree with her that it is frustrating there is not a more sophisticated child care system. I acknowledge that she has been calling for one, both within her party and within this Chamber, for a number of years, but let us not devalue what has been achieved since 1997. Let us not set at nought the equal opportunities child care programme which has...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: We hear constantly that they left the economy in perfect nick, were not the incompetents and the slump coalition that I like to paint them out to be but on the contrary were an economic marvel in their time.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: If that is the case——

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——let me say that this model economy, which was handed over to the profligate parties which have now brought about an economic boom, simply never managed to seem capable of paying decent child care benefits. It simply forgot to put any money into the provision of child care places. It simply forgot to provide special needs teachers. It simply forgot——

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——to pour more resources into all of these areas.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will finish on this note. I commend to the House Senator Cox's proposed amendment to this Bill. When one looks at the records of those who have the political responsibility in this area, Senator Terry used the phrase "catch up". Catch up in terms of what other countries in Europe do is one matter, but starting from zero was very much what this Government found because zero was the policy...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is out of order.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Senator Cox anticipated me by moving it herself.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am not allowed under the rules of the House to move an amendment because I am not a Member.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Labour Party did nothing in government.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Why did the Labour Party do nothing when it was in government and had a brilliant economy?

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the House for the opportunity to speak here this evening and thank Senator Cox for the full and generous way in which she proposed the Government amendment. It strikes me that I should say a few words on this occasion in response to the debate we heard so far. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, my personal responsibility as a Cabinet member is on that aspect of child...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Senators sound the same but look slightly different.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The situation is improving in Dublin.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is difficult to require 11 year olds to show a gas or ESB bill when they purchase a mobile phone.

Written Answers — Property Management Services: Property Management Services (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I published the report of the auctioneering — estate agency review group on Tuesday, 18 October 2005 and, at the same time, I announced that the Government had approved the establishment of the national property services regulatory authority, one of the key recommendations in the report. A further key recommendation is that the new authority should assume responsibility for the licensing...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 137 on 19 May, 2005 and to Question No. 961 on 28 September 2005 in which I outlined the position of staff who were previously employed at Fort Mitchel. As I indicated previously, I understand that the director general of the Irish Prison Service is addressing the issue of the permanent redeployment of Fort Mitchel staff in the context of the...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question were received in my office on 30 September 2005. When assessing the applications in question, consideration was given to the personal circumstances of the applicants and the extent of their ties in their country of origin, The applications were refused because it was not established, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are plans to refurbish and extend Youghal Garda station to bring it up to the status of an area headquarters station. In the meantime, the Office of Public Works is preparing a tender specification to invite tenders for approved remedial works to be carried out at the station. This forms part of an ambitious national Garda building programme...