• Independent Senator (National University of Ireland)
• Former Progressive Democrats TD for Dublin South East
• Left the Dáil on 24 May 2007 — General election
• Entered the Seanad on 25 April 2016 — General election
• Email me whenever Michael McDowell speaks (no more than once per day)

• Voting record
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Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2025)

“I fully support the idea of alternative dispute resolution, ADR, procedures. Can the Minister indicate whether he is happy that media which are not part of the Press Council are adequately dealt with in the definition of specified ADR procedures, because there will be journals and foreign newspapers and the like which may not be part of the Press Council? I am just worried as to whether the...”

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2025)

“I am glad the Minister is saying that. However, my point was simply relating to the provision in section 34N that in "awarding costs in respect of proceedings in respect of which the court issued an invitation under section 34M(1)(a)", which is for specified ADR procedures, the court may, "where it considers it just", have regard to the factors set out thereunder. The Minister might give...”

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2025)

“It seems to me the obligation that is cast on solicitors to inform their clients and execute a statutory declaration would not have application if it were a case, say, against an English or Northern Irish newspaper, The Economist magazine or something like that. I just think the Minister could profitably widen the scope of the provision.”

More of Michael McDowell's recent appearances

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• Has spoken in 34 committee discussions and Dáil debates in the last year — below average among Senators.
• People have made 0 comments on this Senator's speeches — average among Senators.
• 23 people are tracking whenever this Senator speaks — email me whenever Michael McDowell speaks.
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "public-private partnership") 1555 times in debates — well above average among Senators.
  (Yes, this is a silly statistic. We include it to draw your attention to why you should read more than just these numbers when forming opinions.)