Results 201-220 of 7,637 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: No.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 8: In page 8, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: 6.—(1) Where for the purposes of the prostitution of a person, a person (other than the person being prostituted) solicits or importunes another person, in any place, he or she shall be guilty of an offence. (2) A person (other than the person in respect of whom the offence under subsection (1) is committed)...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: This proposal was discussed extensively on Committee Stage. Senator O'Toole's amendment No. 14 is admirably expressed and seeks to bring about the same result, which is to orient our law towards full protection of the dignity of the human person, particularly in respect of persons engaging in prostitution. I outlined extensively on Committee Stage the reasons that we should take the law in...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister of State is correct. It was in the Dáil that she was referred to merely as a social anthropologist. When I asked him to identify her, he kindly did. I do not seek to equate the devil with the Government in reminding Members of Shakespeare's observation that the devil can cite scripture for his purpose. It is easy to create a cloud of misunderstanding or ambiguity by saying...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: First, I compliment Senator O'Toole on amendment No. 14. There are a number of issues to which I want to respond briefly. I note a certain disquiet. Generally, I am disappointed by the Minister of State's contribution. I know he as an individual means well but he must carry the can for the Government here. I am not as convinced as he is that the Government is engaging in fresh and...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It is important not to misconstrue, as I believe might be happening. It was Senator O'Toole who deplored the use of the term "sex worker". He is correct. It does not mean to say that there are not people who describe themselves as sex workers who may be perfectly sincere. It does not mean to say that we deny or would seek to deny the right of people, such as the person who appeared on the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I am not misrepresenting anyone.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I invite the Minister of State to withdraw that.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It is quite clear from the way ——

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I will go further and will not imply. It is quite clear from the way the Minister of State spoke that he was suggesting that this side of the argument had not researched its position. He is wrong in that.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Sometimes people have to read between the lines. This is not personal, but I want to put on record ——

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: We shall agree, honourably, to disagree. I want to put on record that the people in Ruhama, with whom I have a lot of contact, have paid close attention to this issue. They are much better informed than I am and, I dare say, than the Minister of State, about the complexities of this issue, as they have been tracking it for many years. Some 15 years have passed since we last had legislation...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 9: In page 8, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: 6.—(1) A person (other than the person or persons who trafficked the person) who sexually exploits a trafficked person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction on indictment - (i) to imprisonment for life or a lesser term, or (ii) at the discretion of the court, to a fine. (2) In...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I second the amendment. I agree with what Senator White said in his explanation of the amendment. This is an essential obligation of compassion. We need to revisit what this legislation should be about. It is not merely about complying with our international obligations. It is about remembering the persons who are at the heart of all of this, namely, the victims of trafficking. It would...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No 13: In page 10, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: 12.—A person who is a victim of an offence under this Act shall not be prosecuted for entry into, or presence in the State.". I should have said in the earlier discussion that this amendment does not go as far as the Labour Party's amendment, in that it would provide immunity from prosecution only in the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I am happy to second the amendment. I endorse everything Senator O'Toole said. I do so more in the spirit of hope than anticipation that it will see the light of legislative day.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I, too, congratulate the Minister of State and wish to express my satisfaction that this legislation has completed its passage through the Dáil and Seanad. Obviously, it does not contain everything I would have liked, but it is welcome legislation which will assist us in addressing an important issue. I note the Minister of State's earlier comment that this Bill is but part of a wider set...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I also welcome the comments of Senators O'Toole, Harris and Keaveney in respect of the valuable role played by our Ministers on their visits abroad. I speak as somebody who has not, to my knowledge, travelled abroad at the expense of the State. I happen to be involved in a charity in Argentina which benefited greatly in terms of its work and status within the community. The charity has two...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome that.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I also welcome Senator Harris's general point about the rather negative and carping attitude that exists towards politicians. It even infects those of great goodwill. When I announced to my mother that I was running for the Seanad, she said, "I thought I told you to wait until I was dead before you got involved in politics", which would have meant I would be a very old man because there is...