Results 18,001-18,020 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: This is an effort to——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am delighted to wrap up this debate.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is being very disrespectful to the Chair.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: Is the Chair calling me?

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: Can I inquire if the Chair is calling on me to close the debate?

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: Very well then. It is a pleasure to close this two-day debate in which Members have been given ample opportunity——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——to discuss all the issues arising out of the principle of the Bill in a comprehensive and thorough way. I thank Members who have contributed in an orderly way.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I thank all Members who participated in good faith.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: By the same token, I deplore completely the constantly disruptive tactics unleashed every time I stood up.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: They have been deliberately unleashed by people who have no respect for democracy——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——and whose efforts sound like brownshirt tactics to shout down a Minister——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——who has been brought to his feet by the order of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is not a surprise to me that Fine Gael spokespersons have taken to shouting down Ministers and trying to attack the authority of the House.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: It seems to come naturally to some Members——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——to create disorder and try to disrupt the proceedings of the House.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: Yesterday morning I had one of the saddest experiences of my life. During a Second Stage debate Members behaved in a manner more fitting to a bar-room brawl than a parliamentary debate.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: Shouting down a Minister, as happened constantly yesterday and today, is an attack on democracy itself.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am here as a Minister of the Irish Government, elected by the Irish people. I have been asked by the Chair of a sovereign Assembly which decides on its own procedures to conclude the debate.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I will not have it said that people can shout me down at will in the House——

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——or obstruct the true exercise of my democratic right as a Minister of the sovereign Government of the Irish people to address the House on an important issue.