Results 1-20 of 18,402 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the issue of crime. It is a broadranging issue and obviously, from what has transpired just before my arrival, many Senators have a great deal to say on different aspects of today's debate. I will watch my back on the monitors but I think I am all right.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: On a serious note, I have been encouraged by the positive and understanding nature of this debate.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: —and that during that period the report to which he referred in extenso and with which he shows a degree of familiarity, namely, the Cole report, was in the possession of the then Minister for Justice, Mrs. Nora Owen.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: At the time she had all the material which he, then a Member of Dáil Éireann, is now asking me to start investigating. Nothing new has come to light. It is somewhat strange that I am now being asked to do something which, when much fresher and closer to the event, was manifestly not done by the Senator's party when it had the opportunity to do so. Why? No satisfactory explanation has been...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: If Senator Hayes's point is that a different view must be taken of the matter now because of what we know from the tribunals, it has some validity. However, he will remember that his colleagues in Dáil Éireann made the point that it should have been apparent in 1997, before the tribunals were established, that this was a reason not to appoint of Mr. Burke. He cannot have it every way. I am...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: The Senator proposes the establishment of an interdepartmental inquiry to investigate whether decisions to grant naturalisation in 11 cases were validly grounded. There is little point in following that course. I put it to him that the idea of me asking either Mr. Burke or Mr. Haughey to explain their role in this matter is naive and childish.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: I have spoken to officials in my Department.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: I am making the point that the idea that I would receive a reply to a letter which would allow me to return to the House with an explanation is naive. In the first place, I have indicated to the Dáil previously that the former Minister for Justice, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, commissioned a report into this matter during her term of office. The investigation was carried out by a senior...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: As the Senator is aware, the Cole report, to which he referred extensively, was leaked to the newspapers. I do not understand what point is being made. Am I to publish something which appeared in the newspapers in September 1997?

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Passports for Investment Scheme. (24 Oct 2002)

Michael McDowell: I presume The Irish Times had the Cole report. The investigation was carried out by a senior departmental official. Although the former Minister for Justice, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, resigned from office before the report became available, it became available during the term of office of Mrs. Nora Owen.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: I am opposing the amendment because, aside from the drafting difficulty, there is no such thing as a commercial mechanically propelled vehicle within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. Given that that Act does not define the phrase which this amendment would create, the argument underlying this amendment is opposed in principle. I will elaborate on that point, if I may. To confine the...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: There seems to be some misunderstanding in regard to the ambit of the Bill. Section 2(1), even as proposed to be amended, makes it clear that the measure applies to a vehicle arriving in the State from a place other than Great Britain or Northern Ireland or, if a later amendment is accepted, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the other near possessions of the United Kingdom. Let us get this...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: It does not apply to anyone travelling in a plane from Great Britain to Ireland, nor does it apply to anyone travelling on a ferry from anywhere in the United Kingdom to Ireland. It does apply to, say, the Roscoff or Cherbourg ferry. Even if the legislation was properly drafted – unfortunately I can see the intent, but the intent was missed because there is not a phrase "commercial vehicle"...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: Let us have a sense of humour about it. The reality is that this is a slightly ridiculous amendment which would have very anomalous results. It does not apply to anyone travelling into this country from the United Kingdom, it applies to vehicles on ferries. Because we are where we are in Europe, we are talking about vehicles on ferries coming from France. If I were to say a lorry driver...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: He should be flattered by being bracketed with me.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: I am trying to make a viable law. I fully accept that Senator Ryan is opposed to the principle of this Bill and I hope he will accept that I do not wish to get involved—

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: I assumed that there was some party solidarity between Senators Ryan and McDowell, as Senator McDowell said a moment ago that his party's Senators were opposed to the principle of the Bill.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: There is a certain absence of reality here. Senator Ryan accused me of discourtesy to the House. None was intended. If I remain in good humour when others are becoming angry and working themselves into tempers, that is their problem, not mine. I intend to proceed as I started. Those who board a ferry at Roscoff or Cherbourg have to produce documents to get on to the ship in the first place if...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: Everyone who boards a ferry will be checked by the ferry company. At present it has not an obligation to check the documentation of its passengers. We are now bringing in a rule that obliges them to check and they will pay a fine for every undocumented passenger they carry. From now on every ferry company and airline travelling into Ireland from outside of the United Kingdom will have to put...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Michael McDowell: The Senator has mentioned it now and if the Standing Orders of this House are the same as those of the other House, this entitles her to raise the matter by way of a Report Stage amendment. I would prefer to wait and see exactly what she has in mind before I comment on it.