Results 4,021-4,040 of 7,643 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: It seems to me all the more reason why one should read their view into the record. May I ask the Chairman about the decision regarding what may be read into the record and what may not? Please assist me. Is this laid out somewhere in procedures? Or is this the Chairman making a decision on the fly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: I think what is different here, Chairman, is that it goes to the credibility of the committee. The committee did, in my view, impugn its own credibility. The Chairman herself was interviewed on RTÉ about this. There is a clear question mark in the public mind as to why the committee did not wait to hear from all witnesses before moving ahead with a very substantial recommendation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: -----there is an issue with certain invited guests. It is interesting that people outside of the jurisdiction have noted this very irregular approach taken by the committee. It forms the basis for their refusal to come before the committee. On that basis I believe it is in the public interest, and in the interests of the credibility of this committee, that the invited guests, and as I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: I will wait for the Chairman to finish.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: There is more to it than that, with respect. I would submit that the explanation that the Chairman has just given is disingenuous. The Chairman is now saying that when a name was suggested originally, that the Chairman did not take it on. I have always stated at this committee that it is the Chairman's response, and the secretariat behind the Chairman, to propose a list that would test the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: Yes, it is a point of order. Deputy McGrath has made a proposal which I intend to second, which is that the-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: Secondly, I feel very sorry for-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: I feel sympathy for witnesses who are held up because important issues arise, but I also object to be being jollied on on the basis that witnesses are waiting outside. When are these issues going to be ventilated? There has been a pattern at this committee of inviting guests in and then going on to make decisions, including one very big decision, to propose that the eighth amendment not be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: I have to ask the question-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: Is this committee willing to consider, in public session, the issues arising? For example, it occurs in both the Seanad and the Dáil that issues are brought forward on the Order of Business which may, if they are important enough, have the impact of changing that day's Order of Business.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: What is happening here is that you are jollying on speakers as though the issues being raised are mere trivialities, which they are not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: You are jollying on speakers. You are trying to close down discussion, Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: Chair, I have seconded Deputy McGrath's proposal. I would be grateful if you would now deal with that matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: It is fine for you to give your opinion on a point of order, Chair-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: -----but as I understand it, it is not a dictatorship here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, Chair, if your concern has to do with delaying witnesses, I would have no problem with a vote being taken after we have heard from the witnesses. It is not our desire to be discourteous to anybody.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: It is certainly my desire to highlight major flaws-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Business of Joint Committee (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: -----in the way this committee is doing its work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: International Legal and Services Context: Dr. Gilda Sedgh, Guttmacher Institute and Ms Leah Hoctor, Center for Reproductive Rights (8 Nov 2017)

Rónán Mullen: With the Chairman's permission, I will ask one short question, to which I hope to receive a short answer, and use the rest of my time later.