Results 17,221-17,240 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: I thank Members for participating so actively in what was an interesting debate. I agree with Senator O'Toole that a balance needs to be struck on this issue because the debate on it has become too polarised. As I irritate others, I am entitled on occasion to say what I find irritating in others, which in this regard is what I would call the politics of competitive compassion. Some feel they...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: They will posture further and further towards the compassionate end of the spectrum to find whether anybody will be foolish enough to challenge their bona fides. Ireland is not a xenophobic society and has responded well to a novel situation. However, we are at times inclined to airbrush events out of our history. I think of the Jews who came to Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: I welcome this opportunity to address the House again on the subject of Irish citizenship laws. Senators will recall that my last major excursion into this august Chamber on this topic was in connection with the Bill for the referendum proposal which is the direct antecedent of the measure now before us. Previous to that, in autumn of last year, I was here to address Senator Quinn's Private...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: That is true.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: As for asylum, any proposal to include in the reckoning a period spent as an asylum seeker as distinct from a refugee would serve to encourage false claims and the protraction of the asylum process. The reckonability or otherwise of periods of residence in the State by non-EEA or Swiss nationals can be easily ascertained by examining the passports of the persons concerned for stamps affixed...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: The answer to the Senator's question is "No". We have decided that there must be a more tangible, long-term and real link between the parent of the child before citizenship, as of right, becomes available. In this respect, we as a people have decided to restore to the Houses of the Oireachtas the power to judge collectively, by legislation, whether there is a sufficient link between a parent...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: That is because I got a decent hearing in this House whereas I did not get one in the other House.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: Yes.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: Every country in Europe considers Nigeria to be a safe country——

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——generally speaking.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Michael McDowell: They are not excluded at all.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 360 and 383 together. The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2004 prohibit discrimination in the context of employment on nine grounds and the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 prohibit discrimination regarding the provision of goods and services, including accommodation on the same nine grounds. Both sets of Acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of race,...

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Services: Drug Treatment Services (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: As envisaged in the programme for Government, the introduction of mandatory drug testing will be central to supporting future policy on drug supply and demand reduction in prisons. Already prisoners accommodated in the open centres at Shelton Abbey and Loughan House and in the designated drug-free areas of the training unit in the Mountjoy complex, St. Patrick's institution and Wheatfield...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The traditional approach to sentencing is for the Oireachtas to lay down the maximum penalty and for a court having considered all the circumstances of the case to impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. This approach reflects the doctrine of the separation of powers. The Executive lays down the possible punishment range but it is for the courts to decide the punishment to be...

Written Answers — Judicial Conduct: Judicial Conduct (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 365, inclusive, together. The programme for Government promised legislation to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour. The preparation of heads of a judicial council Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department, and I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the heads to Government for approval, with a view to...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The sums of money made available to the Judicial Studies Institute in each of the past four years are as follows:. Year â'¬ 2001 317,435 2002 368,000 2003 400,000 2004 400,000

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: There are no plans to alter the status of Monaghan Garda station. The Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the agreed programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I recently informed the Deputy, my Department has received the High Court warrant which allows for the transfer of this individual into this country and the continued enforcement of his prison sentence under the transfer of sentenced persons legislation. However, Irish prison officers are required to provide the escort for prisoners transferring into this country under the legislation. Due...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, since March 2004, the Garda structures for delivering local drugs strategies have been enhanced by the establishment of a specific co-ordinating framework for delivering the organisation's overall drug strategy. This co-ordinating framework involves the nomination of individuals at the following levels within the organisation: national, assistant...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Two community policing fora have been established in the context of the national drugs strategy. These are operating on a pilot basis under the aegis of the north inner city and Finglas — Cabra local drugs task forces, respectively. Also, the Garda Commissioner has established a community policing forum in Dublin's "A" Garda district on a pilot basis following extensive consultations...