Results 2,121-2,140 of 7,641 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I understand that.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I join colleagues in expressing concern at what happened in the Phoenix Park at the weekend and the ongoing problem of excessive alcohol consumption in our society. We have had many debates in this House on the need to curtail alcohol advertising, particularly where it is linked with sporting events in the context of sponsorship. There has been a great deal of hand-wringing, but we seem to...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: People who indulge in alcohol in this way seem to be revealing some very tragic neurosis in the Irish psyche. Of course, not everybody behaves in this manner, but it is a sad reflection on those who do. While I agree with Senator MacSharry that it is appropriate to listen to young people, I warn against a kind of timidity whereby we would stand back from declaring to the younger generation...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Will there be some added time at the end of this speech?

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: We will have to get Ursula Halligan to ask her.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: It was very wise of the Senator not to comment on it, well resisted.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I thank those who attended the One Day More briefing yesterday and for their kind comments in the Seanad afterwards. The people who deserve credit are the families who were so generous in telling their stories and sharing the wisdom and insights gathered from their experience of having children with severe disability or fatal foetal abnormality. We were all encouraged by them and some...

Seanad: Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State. The debate on the Bill is taking place in the context of CSO figures which show a continuing decline in the domestic economy and, thus far, the economy has contracted by 1.1% in the first three month of the year. The CSO has attributed the contraction to a drop in exports and personal consumption for the first quarter. This ongoing negative outlook with...

Seanad: European Court Judgment (12 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House. This Adjournment matter concerns the question of whether the expert group established to examine the options available to the Government in responding to the European Court of Human Rights decision in A, B and C v. Ireland case is clear that the judgment does not require Ireland to introduce abortion in either a regulatory or statutory form and that the...

Seanad: European Court Judgment (12 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for his response, which is legally flawless. I contrast the response of the Minister, Deputy Hogan, with what was said in the Dáil, to the effect that Ireland must introduce legislation in line with the Supreme Court decision. The Minister has not so erred and I take it as reassurance that his contribution is more legally clear and correct than what was said in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support the comments made by Senators Darragh O'Brien and Moloney. Senator Darragh O'Brien beat me to the punch because I clearly recall our previous discussions on this issue. Senator Quinn and I have met representatives of the modern languages in primary school project. It is astounding that the Government could be so penny wise and pound foolish as to cut funding for this important...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: One hopes the Senator is chastened too.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality on a proposed referendum on the structure of the courts. It would be excellent if a debate was arranged in this House on what is being proposed. Some of the constitutional changes would be very welcome and I also welcome the despatch with which the Minister has proceeded on the recommendation of the Chief Justice only a few...

Seanad: Developments in the European Union and Ireland's Presidency of the European Council: Statements with An Taoiseach (18 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Taoiseach agus gach rath a ghuí air agus ár n-Uachtaránacht ar an Aontas Eorpach faoina stiuradh. In keeping with the best democratic and inclusive traditions of the Seanad, the Independent university Senators are sharing time equally. I am glad to have an opportunity to welcome and congratulate the Taoiseach. We would have liked the opportunity to...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach has experience of Senator Norris.

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Go raibh míle maith agat. Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an tAire. I welcome the Bill in so far as it goes. It is good and wholesome that we are at this point with a statutory fund and that more will be done to assist those who suffered abuse of any kind in institutions over the years. I was not in a position to hear the Minister's comments. Am I correct in thinking that the only...

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: If that is still the case then the provision undermines all of the Government's pretensions to goodwill on this issue. Either the Bill cares for people who have suffered or it does not. It may not be fashionable to say the following but among the people who have made the case most strongly to the Minister are some of the religious orders who have contributed to the fund. They have sought...

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I take serious exception to the proposal.

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I apologise for going over time. I want my words to be understood but in the context of my entire support for redress for all of those who were abused and victimised over the years.

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: No, that is a tabloid version of history. It is part of the story but that is not worthy of the Minister.