Results 5,341-5,360 of 7,643 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach drew my attention, very helpfully, to Standing Order 16 when I asked. It refers to the Leader of the House as opposed to the Order of Business. It refers to normal circumstance but it is clear from that that the Leader shall propose the purpose of the business of the day and it is silent on anything else. Quite clearly, when something is proposed it is obvious that it may...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Where does it follow from that that the Order of Business has a different scope?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach is here to propose an Order of Business that is confined, but by definition we must be allowed to comment on that.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I want to support Senator Higgins's amendment. Like others, I am not opposing the passage of this Bill. I certainly hope that one effect of the Bill is to help make it virtually impossible for the Government to defer the opening of pubs beyond 21 September, if it is to retain credibility, that is. Senator Higgins rightly pointed out the context in which all of this is taking place. We...

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go geal léi ina ról nua. I welcome the Bill in general terms. It addresses what has grown into a serious problem in recent years. With the very broad right of appeal that exists against the issuing of licences in this area, and felling licences, virtually anybody can challenge a decision....

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach has already disposed of Senator Mullen.

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister and thank the Government for what it has been doing to ensure the continuation of education, not just at third level but at all levels, during this time of crisis. We are fire-fighting at the moment and to some degree we have put aside consideration of many of the things we would aspire to see happen while we deal with the immediate challenges but there are lessons in...

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I would love to know if the Minister took time to discuss that with the people in NUIG yesterday because it seems very reasonable to have a mandatory requirement of signing up to a code of behaviour in the current circumstances.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: That sounds like a First World problem.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I support fully what Senator O'Loughlin said about the need for hospice services in the midlands. I was delighted to hear her quote Dame Cicely Saunders, who made such a massive contribution to the world in developing hospice care and in her vision of hospice and end-of-life care. I ask for a rolling debate in the Seanad on palliative care services and end-of-life care. I do this in the...

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. This is my first opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment. I wish him the very best. Like Senator McDowell and others, I am supportive of the amendment and I am also supportive of this Bill. The need for an annual report speaks to the lack of transparency in terms of what has gone on. Many people have experienced considerable...

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: In trying to please everybody we are in danger of doing our economy and our social fabric serious damage. This is not a crude debate between the economic needs of various sectors of society and environmental and social considerations. It is more involved than that. Foresters have spoken to me about needing to thin their forests but being unable to do so. This has an environmental impact....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach mentioned the departure of Michael D'Arcy from this House. I am sure we all wish him well. For the purposes of the business of the House, however, a lacuna in the ethics in public office legislation has surfaced whereby the cooling-off period provided for in section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 is unenforceable by SIPO and there is no penalty for its breach....

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: There is no chance of that.

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.I support the Bill. I commend my colleague, the father of the House, Senator Norris, on persisting with this important cause. I commend Senators Boyhan and Craughwell for also sponsoring the Bill. The Bill is welcome. It has two main effects: it puts the national screening advisory committee on a statutory footing; and, in the context of that committee's...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: On the point made by Senator Chambers, I do not support the attack by the Tánaiste on NPHET recently. It was a very individualistic approach that he took, and the thought struck me that if they do business like that, perhaps they will not be doing business very long, either as a Government or in terms of the Government's relationship with NPHET. I see nothing wrong with NPHET...

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - Ireland has a proud history of supporting the protection of human rights across the world, particularly in developing countries; - the free profession and practice of religion is a cornerstone of Irish society and is enshrined in our Constitution; - Ireland has maintained good diplomatic relations with the People’s...

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I finish by stating that there was tremendous pressure to withdraw the invitation to Mr. Zen, as the Chinese designated the cardinal, and Mr. Lee. I was struck by the thought that if this is what China is like now, what will it be like in 20 years?

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I again thank the Minister of State. I am grateful to all of the Seanadóirí who took part in the debate today. Having listened to the Minister of State, I am very concerned. I worry that the Government's approach to this debate today and to the issue generally is one of a nod to Geneva but a wink to Beijing at the same time. There is no sign of a copy of the speech from the...

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude on this point. I thank you for your indulgence, a Leas Chathaoirligh. We know how important trade is. I come from a farming background myself. I do not ever want to do anything to damage Ireland's trade interests. However, sometimes other issues must take precedence. As I stated, we cannot have a Chinese wall between our trading aspirations with China and the serious...