Results 21-40 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: The Senator could tell her leader.

Seanad: European Affairs: Statements (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, and congratulate her on her appointment. As Senator Byrne stated, she is doing an outstanding job. Hers was an inspired appointment. I have no doubt that she will continue to represent us with great distinction on the European scene. It is apt that we are engaging in this debate against the backdrop of the economic and financial crisis...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: The Senator is adopting it.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I agree, for once, with Senator Leyden in that it is not all fun being in Government. This is because of the state in which the country was left by his party some months ago. He is scare-mongering as usual in regard to the proposed septic tank charge, as reported in the newspapers this morning. No legislation has been introduced on this yet. Senator Leyden forgot to mention that whatever...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: As the July marching season approaches, I would like the Minister for Justice and Equality to give us an update on the discussions he is having with his counterparts in the North and to determine whether there is anything this House can do to help diffuse the situation. It is of grave concern and I would hate to see the wonderful work that has been done by so many in Northern Ireland over...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I join other Senators in welcoming the Minister and Bill to the House. The legislation is designed to make the adjustments required as a result of the economic position in which we find ourselves. It also seeks to be fair to people who are dependent on social welfare. The most important sentiment expressed in a press statement issued by the Minister is that getting people back to work is...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: What I would like to see happen is that a penalty would be imposed.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I ask the Minister to look at the possibility of imposing a penalty. If people commit an offence in other spheres of life they are penalised.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: My party colleague, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, has stolen my thunder somewhat on the issue I wished to raise. I join her and others in congratulating the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on his timely intervention at the weekend which forced the chief executive officer of the Dublin Airport Authority to forgo a bonus of €106,000. However, I read with...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I believe it is on the basis that-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I would ask the-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I ask the Leader to inquire or put in train an inquiry as to whether the facilities of the Oireachtas were used to manipulate a national competition. If the sort of moneys that were mentioned this morning-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I have. I ask the Leader to make inquiries and to ask the appropriate authorities within the Houses to check whether Oireachtas facilities were abused in a national competition.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: We might have to go back to them.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: Senator Byrne has raised an important issue concerning the possibility of outsourcing. At this stage, we are in such dire straits that everything must be looked at. I am not sure that the general public are too worried about how a particular service is provided. If they get a good service and value for money, people will be prepared to consider the possibility that some services might be...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: The same is the case in Galway.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I support Senator Darragh O'Brien's comments on bonus payments. We had a positive day yesterday on many fronts. The performance by the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, gave us all confidence that we are on our way towards addressing many significant issues as to how we do business in the Oireachtas and make significant savings. As the Senator who raised the abuse of the telephone system...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Michael Mullins: I join with other Members in welcoming the Minister to the House and in complimenting him on the comprehensive legislation he has introduced today. I wish to pick up on two points. First, I greatly welcome the proposed good samaritan provision and it is right and proper for it to be enshrined in legislation. Will GAA clubs and other sporting organisations be regarded as organisations...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Mullins: I join with other Senators in congratulating our Special Olympics team, who have represented us so well. Particular congratulations are due to a couple of Olympians from Ahascragh and Woodlawn in my own area of Ballinasloe, who brought home a number of medals. They will certainly be celebrating in those areas tonight when they welcome home the athletes.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Mullins: It was encouraging over the weekend to hear a nice message from the Restaurants' Association of Ireland thanking the Government for the reduction in VAT and confirming that they will be in a position to hire more people and, it is to be hoped, to reduce prices and stimulate growth in the economy. We must make sure all the businesses that have been affected by the reduction in VAT pass on...