Results 4,781-4,800 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (6 Nov 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I am only doing so because I am sure the Minister has had a chance to consider it to some degree, although perhaps not yet. Senator Bacik's reference to possible power grabs by the Commission brought to mind a recent speech by the Commissioner with responsibility for justice affairs, Viviane Reding, who is flagging the issue of whether the Commission and the Court of Justice of European...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I join in the tributes to Tom McGrath on his retirement. Without exception all of the ushers in Leinster House gain our respect and admiration very quickly for the job they do and the way they do it, and Tom was no exception. I welcome the appointment of a senior counsel to review the evidence and processes in the case of Fr. Niall Molloy. I pay tribute to the work of the journalist, Gemma...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Rónán Mullen: There is a particular onus on the media to ensure that equal time and respect is given to all sides.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Credit Unions (5 Nov 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate what he says about the limitations on the Minister's role. The fact remains that there is considerable disquiet. The central question, which has still to be answered, is what will happen if the proposed merger of the two credit unions fails. There are reports of an increase in loan sharks in Newbridge. People are worried about...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Credit Unions (5 Nov 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. As the Minister of State is well aware, the credit union movement across the country is facing many issues and challenges. I am concerned about the proposal to combine the community credit unions in Naas and Newbridge. I have particular worries about the management of this proposal and the precedent it might set for the credit...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House. Senator Crown made a number of interesting recommendations and suggestions, although I am not sure where he was going with the final question. I share his sympathy with anybody who holds the Minister's brief or that of the Minister for Health but one cannot give a clean bill of health to everything contained in the legislation. I cannot support it. It...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (23 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. I welcome the Minister and thank him for his good work in the negotiations. The good news for Ireland is that our portion of the budget or our national allocation will remain broadly the same under the reformed CAP. The key changes relate to how the money is distributed and it is on this issue that much of the debate here will focus. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: The proposed introduction of minimum pricing of alcohol might make it seem that the Government is serious about combating the problem of drinking. However, this only seems to be the case. In reality, the Government is taking a very half-hearted approach to the issue as is evident from the fact that the proposed ban on the sponsoring of sports events by drinks companies appears to have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Does the Central Bank want to turn all credit unions into banks? Will people be left with no option but to turn to loan sharks? I call for a debate on this important matter.

Seanad: Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (17 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Could we could cap it at a ministerial salary level?

Seanad: Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (17 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am concerned that this is an ill-conceived Bill proposing to sell the competitive energy business that is Bord Gáis Energy to the highest bidder. I note the Minister's reassurances, sincerely given no doubt, that we are retaining the strategic gas networks. However, I wonder at the same time whether we are not trading certainty for risk in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I commend my colleague Senator Bacik and other colleagues from the Government side for showing a commendable independence of mind in regard to the Seanad abolition referendum. I do not know which is most scary, that we have a toxic Taoiseach who is afraid to show himself to the public because he is so unpopular or that the Taoiseach cannot be let out by his handlers because they do not have...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Sep 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. She said: "A well balanced housing sector requires a strong, vibrant and well regulated rented sector and the rented sector is an integral part of our housing policy for the future." That is a laudable sentiment. The Bill builds on the work of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. Perhaps the most important impact of that...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I support what Senator Feargal Quinn has said about debating budget proposals. New politics must mean treating people and Parliament maturely. One of the problems with old politics during the Celtic tiger years was that there was no real scrutiny of budget proposals. In opposition Fine Gael constantly criticised the practice of handing out budget speeches at the last minute. I remember...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I had a question concerning the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. Perhaps the Leader addressed this but I did not hear it.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Rónán Mullen: We hear today that the economic management council, consisting of three Ministers - Deputies Noonan, Gilmore, Howlin - and the Taoiseach, will decide the budget and inform the Cabinet what they have decided. Deputies will then line up as lobby fodder to vote it through. If this is what passes for democracy in the 21st century, then I wonder what the Taoiseach thinks an oligarchy would look...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I add my voice to those who have thanked Senator Mark Daly and the Irish Kidney Association for bringing forward this issue in the way they have done. I have heard a certain amount of squawking from Government quarters - not everyone, it is fair to say - about being interrupted in this way during their summer break. In reality, we should be grateful for the opportunity to discuss an issue...

Seanad: SI 325 of 2012 - European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations 2012: Motion (20 Aug 2013)

Rónán Mullen: A cello might be more appropriate.

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Cúirt Achomhairc) 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-third Amendment of the Constitution (Court of Appeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Jul 2013)

Rónán Mullen: It is below the Minister's pay grade.