Results 181-200 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I have reason to believe that another person was seriously defamed in that programme.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: The person concerned is no longer living and as such does not have an opportunity to defend himself. There are serious issues contained in that programme that must be investigated. One allegation was made against the person concerned, who is deceased.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I have been provided with information that calls into question the basis on which the programme was made. I ask that the Leader invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the House to discuss the awful injustice done to Fr. Reynolds and the potential injustice to other victims named in the programme and what appropriate action can be taken in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: As the person who yesterday called for a public inquiry into the libelling of Fr. Kevin Reynolds, I welcome the decision taken by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to hold an immediate inquiry. I hope the inquiry will cover all aspects of the television programme which gave rise to this matter. I also hope it will cover a complaint made to RTE...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Yes. Will the Leader make time available for the Minister to appear before the House to provide Members with clarification and further information in respect of his plans to ease the problem of homelessness? I welcome the fact that the Minister plans to move away from heavy dependence on emergency accommodation in hostels and private bed and breakfast establishments. We all want the...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: This is getting a little ridiculous, to be honest. An enormous amount of nit-picking is going on at this stage. We should compliment the Minister on the tremendous job he did in negotiating with the EU.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: It has.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: In relation to the-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I know that. The Minister has indicated that basic information will have to be supplied to the local authority by the owner of each septic tank. That will facilitate the making of decisions on where inspections should take place, as well as on the volumes of inspections that will be necessary. After months of scaremongering, the Minister has made this measure acceptable to many people....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: More scaremongering.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I echo yesterday's call by Senator David Norris for an early debate on the media, particularly on standards in the media. I make my call having read late last night an article in the Evening Herald entitled "Galling To See Politicians Order Inquiry Into RTE". It states that while the Fr. Kevin Reynolds libel itself was disastrous, RTE's response was lame and self-protective, so much so that...

Seanad: Address by Dr. Mary Robinson (24 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Ba mhaith liom fíor-fháilte a ghabháil leis an Dochtúir Mhic Róibín ar an ócáid speisialta seo. As a west of Ireland Senator I am particularly honoured to welcome Dr. Robinson home to Seanad Éireann. Her visit today brings back happy memories of a special day in 1993 when, as Chairman of Galway County Council, I welcomed her as Uachtaráin na hÉireann to the county hall. It goes...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: The Minister clarified that.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Senator Leyden wants it every way.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: This is like Senator Leyden's widow again.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Where? What local authorities?

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I wish to ensure that when we make bad decisions, we do not repeat them. I speak in the light of the recent scrapping of the decentralisation plan of the previous Government. I ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come into the House to give details of the cost to the State of that foolhardy and over-ambitious plan. How much land does the State own?...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I know that, a Chathaoirligh. We need to analyse the overall cost to the State of the plan in order that no future Government of any hue will expose taxpayers to such an over-ambitious, foolhardy and costly exercise. It was a huge waste of money and someone needs to be held to account for what happened. It was a deliberate plan to buy an election. Taxpayers are paying a very high price...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: They never believed it was going to happen anyway or that anybody was coming. It was pie in the sky

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Speaking from experience?