Results 21-40 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Community Child Care Subvention Scheme 2008-2010: Statements (7 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: It is one thing for it to be cleared by the data protection group and another to put child care providers working in sensitive situations dealing with parents in this difficult position and perhaps damaging the relationship of trust that has been carefully nurtured over time.

Seanad: Community Child Care Subvention Scheme 2008-2010: Statements (7 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I am involved indirectly with the organisation of child care facilities and I think the Senator should take more account of the very legitimate concerns expressed by some child care providers, especially those in Dublin's inner city.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Press freedom is, rightly, a cherished principle in any civilised society. In light of Senator O'Donovan's comments, with which I heartily concur, there is a need for this House to appraise the balance we must strike between press freedom and the need to bring about a greater culture of responsibility among media practitioners. There is the provision for the award of aggravated damages in...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Perhaps it is time to consider compensatory mechanisms when the press steps out of line and hurts innocent parties.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: A great deal is said, and rightly so, about the importance of education and of investment therein, particularly in the context of the future of the economy and the well-being of citizens. People will, therefore, welcome the emergence of the new post-primary education forum, part of the brief of which is to lobby for increased funding for second level education. I am seeking a debate on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: And funding thereof.

Seanad: Government's Irish Aid Strategy: Statements (13 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister of State made an impressive presentation but I was struck by the fact that we are sixth in the world in terms of per capita donation. We can be proud of this but we can attempt to improve on it. We should aim to be the best in the world in per capita contribution to overseas aid. Let us cast our minds back to that summer evening in 1985 when Bob Geldof told everyone not to go...

Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: That is an ageist comment

Seanad: Pension Provision: Motion (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Solidarity between generations is what this debate is all about and it is essential for our well-being as a society. Eamon de Valera, who received some less than flattering comment in the last few minutes, had a vision of Ireland where he spoke of our firesides being forums for the wisdom of old age. That vision has not just been undermined by the disappearance of firesides but also by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: The Health Service Executive is seeking a 10% rise in the excise duty on alcohol. We know now Irish adults are the third-highest consumers of alcohol in the European Union and people such as Archbishop Seán Brady are calling for a break in the link between alcohol advertising and sporting events. Three years on from the report of the strategic task force on alcohol in 2004, which was...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I hope it will be a discussion that does not confine itself to platitudes about how terrible alcohol abuse is. It is time for us to recognise mixed messages, such as talking down alcohol abuse but simultaneously taking no serious and adventurous measures against it. Such measures could include forcing people who make much money from the sale of alcohol to fund some of the public health...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Given that she is the patron saint of music the Senator may wish to sing her contribution.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Very often matters raised on the Order of Business involve a degree of criticism and negativity and, in that context, I was very pleased to hear the contributions of Senator Quinn and others on the heroic example of active citizenship shown during the night. I am pleased to raise another good news story. Reports in yesterday's newspapers outlined the great progress being made in stem cell...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Lord Norris of North Great George's Street.

Seanad: Education Policy: Statements (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Can we all come?

Seanad: Education Policy: Statements (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Famous last words.

Seanad: Education Policy: Statements (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom i dtosach báire fáilte a chuir roimh an Aire. Ba léir ó bheith ag éisteacht léi go bhfuil barr-feabhas bainte amach aici. Tá máistreacht aici ar gach rud a bhaineann le cúrsaí oideachais sa tír. Ní ionann é sin agus a rá go bhfuil an ceart aici an t-am ar fad, nó ag an Rialtas. Glacaim leis go ndúirt sí an-chuid atá thar a bheith ciallmhar. Ba bhreá liom...

Seanad: Education Policy: Statements (22 Nov 2007)

Rónán Mullen: He may not have said "gun" but that is the word I prefer to use in this House. There has been more than a whiff of that strategy in the air as certain politicians tried to up the ante in the debate about school patronage and the governance of primary schools. I am concerned by the language from experienced elected representatives and from other quarters. The shortage of school places in...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I will second Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business because like him, I agree that we should be discussing the Defamation Bill on Second Stage and not on Committee Stage. I greatly regret, despite all the lip service that is paid to the quality of the debate in the Seanad Chamber, that in many ways, Members are being frustrated from considering issues in the way they might. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: ——I do not call the Commissioner a moron but the argument is certainly moronic. To suggest to people that they will be the laughing stock of Europe if they reject the treaty is no substitute for good argument. Rather than hearing from dignitary after dignitary such as Commissioner McCreevy and the Dutch Minister for European Affairs, Frans Timmermans, who was in town to tell us it would...