Michael McDowell

Michael McDowell

Contributor

Michael McDowell, a contributor to The Irish Times, is a senior counsel and Independent Senator. He writes a weekly opinion column. A former Tánaiste, minister for justice, equality and law reform, and Progressive Democrats TD, he also served as attorney general

EU asylum pact is in danger of being rushed through without scrutiny

A massive black hole has opened up between the Oireachtas and the EU legislative process

Escalation of the conflict in Gaza may be exactly what Netanyahu wants

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu may have calculated that widening the conflict frames him as someone fighting an existential war for Israel’s survival

Republicans who do not respect unionists or recognise State are standing in way of united Ireland

Commemorative and funeral marches by non-State actors wearing uniforms are polarising, ridiculous and ultimately unrepublican

Sinn Féin is this island’s best resourced political party, the beneficiary of a legacy of barbarism

The effects of the Provisional movement’s fundraising campaign are still visible in Irish politics, north and south

Israel must be firmly told ‘enough is enough’

Cynically choking off food, water and medical supplies to defenceless, vulnerable and suffering people is utterly unforgiveable

No matter how we try to airbrush reality, mothers and fathers are not the same

Even if we live in an era where the duties of parenting are becoming more fairly shared, it is the case that parental and other caring duties fall more on women

Wholly implausible to suggest amendments will have no serious consequence

It is not only the law of intestacy or taxation that is likely to be involved by the proposed constitutional amendments, there are wide-ranging legal implications

Referendums ask us to insert a toothless aspiration and approve some vague-minded proposals about marriage

We are offered assurances that nothing much will change - and passionate claims that the amendments are important

Has anyone thought about what happens when a durable relationship ends?

Chaos will arise from competing 'family' arrangements existing with no clarity as to when and how they begin, exist, and end

No true republican should wish for the failure of Northern Ireland

One important truth has emerged from Andrew Trimble’s thoughtful TV documentary

A Yes vote on the family referendum is a vote for a foreseeable and avoidable mess

If it is passed, the durable relationship family will be elevated to being an “institution” with rights “inalienable and imprescriptible”

It’s not fanciful or contrived to ask questions about ‘throuples’ in referendum debate

Implications of the proposed amendments to constitutionally detach ‘family’ from ‘marriage’ remain very real and obvious for many areas of law, including family law

Do we want a society in which non-marital relationships are the easier, equal and growing norm?

Handing the role of determining what is or is not a durable relationship to the courts seems unnecessary and unwise because of its knock-on effects for marriages and the family

The sad truth is that we do not have urban planning anywhere in Ireland

If Dublin is to become a liveable thriving urban community, we need vision and the means to make that vision a reality

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it: voting No is wisest option in upcoming blindman’s buff referendums

The Constitution does not confine women’s choices in any way, therefore no amendments are needed. And what are ‘durable relationships’?