Results 281-300 of 18,463 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: Yes, I think that is probable.

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: Senator Walsh already made it clear that where a first reading of section 7 might give the impression to the casual reader that the disclosure of information was mandatory, it is not. It is discretionary. Therefore, a member of the Garda Síochána would not be in a position to give information which he or she believed was prejudicial to the interests of the State or threatened security, or...

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I echo what Senator Mansergh said about Articles 2 and 3. It was not a question of this State giving something away—

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: —or the people of this State giving something away. The people of this State made a positive choice to re-articulate their stance on the national question in a manner which would underpin and strengthen the emergence and persistence of democratic values in Northern Ireland. One must see it in context. One of the implications of the pre-Good Friday Agreement situation was that as a matter of...

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: We were discussing the section.

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: The terms of the section are correct and appropriate. We should not get into our heads the notion that the Good Friday Agreement has been betrayed, traduced, minimised or cast aside. It is the agenda for the future and will be implemented. It is the only show in town. Its strength lies in the fact that both Governments are totally committed to it. I am glad that, notwithstanding the election...

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: If I could briefly indicate a negative attitude towards this amendment, there may be occasions when reports come to hand in regard to which the two Governments may decide, for one reason or another, that to publish them within a month would not be helpful to the whole process. Obviously I would hope that the great majority of reports would not be in that category but there may be occasions...

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I agree with the Senator. It would be in wholly exceptional circumstances that there would be any bona fide reason for not punctually publishing such a report.

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I accept the amendment.

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: That is a good question. It is probable that the member in question could constitute himself as a technical group or something similar. A person can be a party to an agreement and I presume a generous view will be taken in this regard. If we consider the Technical Group in the Dáil, there may also be one in this House—

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: One does not have to be a registered political party. The word "party" in this context is probably closer to the meaning of being party to an agreement than to a political party.

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: That would be preferable.

Seanad: Independent Monitoring Commission Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (9 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: Without any pretence at being disorderly, I thank Senators for facilitating the passage of the Bill and debating it so thoroughly and scrupulously. I also thank Senator Brian Hayes for his party's amendments. I tend to agree with Senator Mansergh, rather than Senator Brian Hayes, on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of Articles 2 and 3, which, like Senator Mansergh, I regard as having been put...

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I very much welcome this opportunity to set out in the Seanad some of my thinking on defamation, with particular reference to the issue of reform of our existing legislation. This opportunity arises at the end of a somewhat hectic ten day period during which we have had several noteworthy events concerning the topic of reform of the law on defamation.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: That is not so.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I wish to stress that I have never done so.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I do not know why it is worrying.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: I must intervene and say for the fifth time that the Government did not make that proposal and I have stated on a number of occasions it is not the Government's policy.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: This is bad for my blood pressure.

Seanad: Report on Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion. - Defamation: Statements. (10 Dec 2003)

Michael McDowell: It was 1997 in fact.