Results 1,581-1,600 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: On a point of order, to stop this filibuster by Fine Gael, I am quite happy to go back to the original grouping.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I wish to address all of the amendments that we are discussing, if I may.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: The Minister has very briefly and tersely proposed amendment No. 7. The effect of his amendment is to remove three existing paragraphs and substitute four. The fourth paragraph is the new point in this debate. It would appear that the Government, following Committee Stage in the House, suddenly got the bright idea that the definition of "lay person" was too loose and that what was needed...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: It is a pretty shocking proposal in the Bill. This occurred when the light went on in somebody's brain in the Government - and I do not know who it was - to say the Bill contained a previous definition of "lay person" and that it should be amended to contain that prohibition. I believe this to be pretty shocking. I do not see how we can accept it. I want to be 100% clear about what we are...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I am looking at the wrong document. Yes, I have it now. The Bill's definition is that " “law officer” means a person employed in the service of the State where a condition for the employment of the person was that he or she was a practising barrister or a practising solicitor". Paragraph (b) of amendment No. 7, however, means that if a person did two years' service - for...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I want to echo what was stated earlier about the need to take a coherent approach to transport issues, especially in the city of Dublin. The National Transport Authority is currently sponsoring the excavation of a geological survey in Ely Place, Hume Street, in the middle of the road. Some Members may have seen the stockade that has been built there to explore the subsoil structure to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: That is the point that I was coming to. The National Transport Authority spent an awful lot of money on planning various projects without the authority of either the Houses of the Oireachtas or a clear mandate from the public. The Department in which Deputy Ross is Minister has overall charge of transport policy. However, it seems that the National Transport Authority has developed into an...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I would suggest that we have a debate in the House on the National Transport Authority, who runs it, who is on it, who decides the policy issues with which it deals, who decides on its budget and who is responsible for its budget. We should have a serious debate as to whether it is in fact a semi-autonomous body or whether it is implementing Government policy approved by the Oireachtas in...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I will be here for stage 2.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: There is not time for him to deal with all the points.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I will.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: Will the Senator canvass for him?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I wish him every success.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I support what Senator Freeman said about psychiatric services. If, as she stated, an emergency appointment for a psychiatric interview is taking 13 weeks, we are not just talking about delays but also about lives. The HSE is statute-bound to provide psychiatric services, and there comes a point at which it is in breach of its statutory duty. I think this will end up in the courts in the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: The building is not the headquarters at all.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: So did I.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I was invited by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, to run for the Dáil.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I agree completely with Senator O'Sullivan. The trivialisation and denigration of politics that flows from personalised attacks on individuals is damaging and corrosive of the whole legislative process and the democratic process.People may have made mistakes in the past and do stupid things; as far as I am concerned, they do stupid things every day on social media. I really think we should...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: The Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill is stuck.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Nov 2019)

Michael McDowell: I fully understand that is the case, but I am concerned about the Government's attitude.