Results 7,641-7,648 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Coroners Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I apologise to Senator Ross for not giving way. The other Senator with whom I had intended to share time is absent from the Chamber. I am concerned that the provisions for granting legal aid are too uncertain. There appears to be too much vagueness about the circumstances in which legal aid might be granted. It should be made clear that legal aid is available on a means-tested basis,...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: The calls from the Independent benches and Senator Hanafin for Seanad reform and the call from my fellow east Galwegian Senator Healy Eames on electoral reform relate to the engagement of the public with the political process. While I know the House has debated electronic voting in the recent past, it would be timely for the Leader to arrange for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I was sickened to hear time and again from members of the Government in recent years that Ireland would be the laughing stock of Europe if we did not introduce electronic voting. Never was there a more pathetic excuse of an argument for introducing electronic voting. While it might not be the most popular thing to say in this House given that we have all been through the difficulty of long...

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Bill, which seeks to give legal underpinning to some of the climate protection aims set out in the programme for Government and the national climate change strategy. Nobody now doubts the importance of promoting a culture of responsibility where climate change is concerned. It would be wrong, however, to see legislation as the only or even main way to promote this culture of...

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I accept such a scenario is difficult to imagine. The provision in the equivalent British legislation to the effect that the relevant Minister should be subject to judicial review is more sensible. I compliment Senator Bacik on drafting this Bill and bringing it before the Seanad. The effort to enshrine in legislation our commitment to taking a lead is very laudable, even if our...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I do not know if the Leader and the other Members will join me in sending our very best wishes to our Special Olympians, their families and supporters in Shanghai. Very often our culture emphasises strength and power and the vulnerable in our society are easily forgotten. The Special Olympians are witnesses to the power of love and solidarity between people and how this can triumph over...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I hope that when such legislation comes before the House it will seek to provide protection for those women and children who are trafficked into this country and that they will not be seen as merely an immigration problem. I welcome my colleague, Senator O'Toole, questioning what happened to mutton. I thought he was going to volunteer the opinion that it was going around dressed up as lamb,...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Rónán Mullen: A Chathaoirligh, ba bhreá liom mo ghuth a chur leis na guthanna siúd atá ag gabháil chomhghairdis leat ar an ocáid seo. Is lá iontach duit fhéin é, is lá iontach dod' mhuintir é agus, dar ndóigh, is lá iontach go mhuintir Uíbh Fhailí é. Offaly appears to be in the ascendancy politically. I hope it has better fortune in matters related to Gaelic games in due course. As one...