Results 1-12 of 12 for other and baby speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2021)

Michael McDowell: Arising from the remarks which have just been made about the commission in relation to mother and baby homes, I would like to put a few things on the record as my personal opinion on the matter. Firstly, I have had the privilege of reading the letter sent in by the three commissioners in response to the Oireachtas committee's invitation to appear before it. I found that the letter was...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2021)

Michael McDowell: Over the last number of weeks, the Houses have discussed the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters at length. Pressure on time and speaking slots has made it impossible for me to contribute. However, I want to take a few minutes today to put my views on the matter on the record. Unfortunately, the report of the commission was...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Michael McDowell: ...so late in the day, with effectively 11 minutes to go before the Chamber assembled. Second, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, as proposed by the Leader, to provide that the words "and Remaining Stages" in respect of the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 would be deleted from the Order of...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2020)

Michael McDowell: That was my understanding too. The database that is going to Tusla has nothing to do with an individual who, in response to the appeal by the commission, came forward to give the confidential committee information about their experiences. Is this going to be transferred to Tusla as a database? I take it that it is not considered a related record. I wanted to be 100% clear on that because...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (29 Jun 2020)

Michael McDowell: I join other Members in welcoming the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and congratulating her on a very challenging but, I believe, very rewarding appointment.It is much deserved. She did our country proud when she was spokesperson for the Irish State on Brexit. I was glad to acknowledge that in the previous Seanad and I reiterate my best hopes for her tenure as Minister for Justice. I am one of...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Mar 2018)

Michael McDowell: I believe that the people, by adopting the freedom of information and the freedom to travel amendments to reverse in part the courts' decisions in respect of the original article 40.3.3°, were qualifying the idea of equality at the time. Viewed barely, that is what I believe was happening. Even when all of that was done, there was a succession of cases, some of which I was involved in...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Asylum seekers who apply to the Irish State for recognition as a refugee under the Geneva Convention are provided with all basic needs to ensure that they do not suffer poverty. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with responsibility to provide accommodation for asylum seekers while their asylum application is being processed. In discharging this task,...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: ...den Teach, caithfimid úsáid a bhaint as an teanga náisiúnta sna Tithe agus an teanga a choimeád beo agus láidir i gcúrsaí náisiúnta an Stáit. Many points have been made in this debate and it would not be open to me to answer many of them fairly or squarely. For example, Senator Tuffy raised a number of technical points the answer to most of which lies in the basic convention...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The question concerned relates to the Chen case. The Chen baby is an Irish citizen and not a stateless child as the question suggests. The question of statelessness, therefore, does not arise nor will the citizenship of the child in question be affected by the Government's proposals. This case arose as a result of the referral of certain questions by the UK immigration appellate authority to...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: ...Adoptive Leave Act 1995 requires that adoptive leave may only be taken from the date of placement. The purpose of the legislation is to provide an entitlement to leave from employment for adopting mothers, equivalent to that of maternity leave entitlement available to natural mothers, so that both natural and adoptive mothers, and children, can benefit from the full-time care and attention...

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (6 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: A grave and substantial reason means that it cannot be, in effect: "There is an Irish citizen over there. The child's two parents are foreigners. Out." It is not to say as a matter of policy that we do not like that child being in Ireland and so out it must go. It must be a grave reason. There has to be a reason why a citizen child of Ireland should be excluded. One of the matters stated in...

Seanad: Prison Visiting Committees: Motion. (5 Mar 2003)

Michael McDowell: ...class, Members of the Oireachtas, or wherever was envisaged in 1925, would be entitled to present themselves at any prison of which they were a visiting committee at any hour of day or night and be shown to any corner of that prison and speak to any prisoner. That is a remarkable provision for its time. I believe the committee system should be encouraged. Some of the prescribed activities...