Results 2,541-2,560 of 3,519 for speaker:Michelle Mulherin

Seanad: Death of Martin McGuinness: Expressions of Sympathy (21 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: We are here to commemorate the passing of Martin McGuinness. I believe it is safe to say all of us present in the Chamber, even though we are from different political traditions, love our country and want the best for it and its people, North and South. It is also fair to say the British did not treat the Irish, North and South, very well, as history tells us. People took different paths...

Seanad: Death of Martin McGuinness: Expressions of Sympathy (21 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: When it is proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: First, I support Senator McDowell's comments on judicial appointments. The kernel of the issue put forward by the Minister is somewhat spurious and I do not think it is helpful. I would like to join in the expressions of sympathy to the families of both Captain Mark Duffy and Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who lost their lives. I hope the two others lost in the same rescue can be found as soon...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Sector: Discussion (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I thank both groups for their presentations. Most people who buy organic products are health-conscious and looking to have a healthier lifestyle. Reports show nutritional differences between organic and conventional products. Fewer pesticides are used on organic products, of which people want the benefits. I want to focus on the environment and food security. The issue of carbon...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Sector: Discussion (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: To clarify, this is a report. I accept the witness will be more well read on it-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Sector: Discussion (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: The University of British Columbia.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Sector: Discussion (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I am not citing it as an average but in the case of certain types of crop.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Sector: Discussion (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I wish to clarify something because I may have been taken up wrongly. I acknowledge the strengths of organic farming in biodiversity. My point was that more land is required. Nobody has taken up the question of food security, which I also raised. It is a challenge.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Sector: Discussion (28 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: It is a huge debate but, in fairness, people have to get protein from somewhere and we predominantly get it from meats in this country. I know there are other options as well. If we are talking about the food crops that provide protein, I do not know to what extent they are grown here, but they are generally grown in the tropics, so we would be taking them from areas where people need food...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I welcome the opportunity to debate the proposition that the franchise be extended to those aged 16 years. I was a member of the Constitutional convention when this issue was debated and we heard evidence from experts and so on. Anyone, like me, who has dealings with young people in visiting schools to talk in CSPE classes, dealing with members of Young Fine Gael and seeing Dáil na...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I also want to raise the Bus Éireann strike, which continues to wreak chaos on our public transport system, causing particular difficulties for rural Ireland commuters and tourists. We are hearing stories of shops in towns getting lower footfalls and we have to remember that striking workers are not being paid and, every day that goes by, Bus Éireann is haemorrhaging more money....

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I ask that the Leader invite the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to the House to set out an update on the roll-out of the Leader programme for County Mayo and nationwide. From 2014 to 2020, the programme will fund vital initiatives in and revitalise rural Ireland.In Mayo alone, €11 million has been allocated over this period. However, notwithstanding the fact the programme has been live...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement with former Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern (6 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I also welcome the former Taoiseach, Mr. Ahern, and thank him for his presentation and insights. We take certain comfort from the objectives set out by the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, in her Article 50 letter, namely, no return to the hard borders and that the common travel area between Britain and Ireland would be maintained. It has been cited that it predates our joining of the EEC...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Engagement with Dundalk Chamber of Commerce (6 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I welcome Mr. Gaynor and thank him for his presentation. I commend him and Dundalk Chamber of Commerce on the various initiatives he described. They are fighting their corner and taking a proactive approach to dealing with the fallout from Brexit. When European Union officials or members of the Bundestag speak about special cases, it should be recalled that Britain's decision to leave the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I also welcome the deal that has been struck on cystic fibrosis drugs, particularly Orkambi. It will provide welcome relief to a particular cohort of cystic fibrosis sufferers who will benefit from the drug. It also shows that we must stand up to drugs companies. In that regard, I compliment those who negotiated with the companies in question to achieve an acceptable deal in terms of cost....

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I would also like to be associated with the welcome extended to our former colleague Imelda Henry and compliment her on her work. It is always helpful and informative. I also welcome those who represent the vintners' associations. Any group, across the board, that represents legitimate concerns and business is always welcome to relay its concerns and interests. Those present are...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: I am correcting the record as the Senator stated something that was inaccurate. It is said Irish people have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but it seems that the Government has a confused alcohol policy. I understand its position to be that it does not have any issue with the consumption of alcohol in principle, yet all we ever hear on public health policy is that we should drink...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: The point is that we should drink less, and we have a day when we do not drink, so what we are saying is that we have to have this day where we can drink more. If we are really trying to promote people drinking less alcohol, we could immediately tackle below cost selling. That has not been done. There are all sorts of formulae about minimum unit pricing and that, but it is within the remit...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (12 Apr 2017)

Michelle Mulherin: We all know that our identity has contradictions. When there is talk about religion here, it is usually the Catholic Church that is spoken about. There are many people who at different times in their lives - some on a daily basis - derive much comfort and empowerment from their faith and their religious beliefs, and we also represent those people. The idea that we are doing this because...