Results 201-220 of 18,436 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Crime and Policing: Motion (27 Sep 2023)

Michael McDowell: I entirely support everything that is in the motion tabled by the Fianna Fáil Senators here today. I want to say at the outset, however, that I have full confidence in the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. This House should respect him and support him because he is bringing about effective change in a force which I, as a former Minister for Justice, know needs reform and...

Seanad: Crime and Policing: Motion (27 Sep 2023)

Michael McDowell: Sometimes the dog eats it, though.

Seanad: Crime and Policing: Motion (27 Sep 2023)

Michael McDowell: The Senator’s partners in government are holding Fianna Fáil back.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I identify with the remarks of Senator Gallagher about the Leas-Cathaoirleach, Cathaoirleach, Clerk and Clerk Assistant, and all members of staff. I wish them a happy holiday and thank them for all the work they have done. In the autumn, we fully expect to see the Taoiseach here to deal with the question of Seanad reform. I note the Supreme Court has yet to adjudicate on the application...

Seanad: Situation in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory: Statements (12 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I believe in the right of the state of Israel to exist. I believe that Resolution 242 of the United Nations represents the correct position in international law as regards the boundaries of the state of Israel. I regard the creeping annexation of the West Bank territories as illegal and manifestly illegal. I regard the establishment of settlements on Palestinian land as wholly contrary to...

Seanad: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (11 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I will be brief.I agree with what Senator Gavan said. The effect of this is to kill this legislation. We often come through the gates of Leinster House and see people carrying placards that say "Kill the Bill" in regard to different topics, but every person who goes through the Government lobby tonight should carry that placard because it is trying to kill this Bill. The last thing I want...

Seanad: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (11 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: In those circumstances they did not vote against the Whip, they just did not appoint tellers. That is the way we should deal with it.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Restriction of Salaries) Bill 2023: Second Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I commend Senator Mullen and his colleague on bringing this Bill before the House to enable us to have a real conversation among ourselves, not merely about the issues that have been grabbing the headlines, but the longer term issues. We need to consider carefully what public service broadcasting is about. Is it wall-to-wall politics and chat from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.? Is that public...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Restriction of Salaries) Bill 2023: Second Stage (5 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: -----which I find difficult to absorb. Everybody has feet of clay, to some extent, and no class of the community is above reproach. One thing that RTÉ might now consider is that when politicians go on RTÉ to be interviewed, they are treated as second-class citizens. If someone comes in from an NGO like the Rape Crisis Centre, he or she is thanked for coming along, and he or she...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: No.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I wish to move the amendment.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: No, so I had better call a quorum.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 12d: In page 13, to delete lines 28 to 30.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: The purpose of this amendment is to remove section 13(9), which has the effect of saying the approval of the two Houses of the Oireachtas will not apply to ministerial appointments which have been made under sections 6 and 7 of the Act. The Act, as it stands, effectively states that in future the so-called laypersons will have to be on a longlist approved by the Public Appointments Service...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: That really does not explain anything. It 18 months' time or however long it takes to establish this commission, if this legislation survives an Article 26 reference, we do not know who the Minister will be. We are giving to whomever will be the Minister for Justice at that time, the right to appoint people before the establishment day to be members of the commission. Section 14 states: ...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 13: In page 13, to delete lines 34 and 35.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 16: In page 14, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(6) A person appointed as a practising barrister or practising solicitor to be a member of the Commission shall hold office for a term of 3 years from the date of his or her appointment.”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: No.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 19: In page 15, to delete lines 9 to 11 and substitute the following: “(2) A committee shall consist of such and so many members as the Commission shall determine having an equal number of members who are judges and members who are not judges.”.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (4 Jul 2023)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 22a: In page 23, after line 36, to insert the following: Prohibition on publication of confidential information 35. (1) No person shall publish or cause to be made public whether in or outside of the State any matter, information, record or document which is or contains confidential information for the purposes of section 29 or the publication of which by a person to...