Results 5,561-5,580 of 7,643 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I give credit for the good programmes and the public service information. I get that RTÉ has a public service obligation and a duty to inform the public. I get that they cannot afford to ignore the gravity of the pandemic. Even so-called light entertainment is engulfed by the issue with large sections of "The Late Late Show" now devoted to discussing Covid each week. There was even...

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Can we get back to encouraging people to be resilient? To invite people to count their blessings, as we all should, is not to ignore the problems that we face because there are resources and there is support. Yes, there are things that are lacking and, yes, there are problems and we must be ceaselessly energetic about addressing them but there has to be a national consensus about the need...

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Yes.

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I take that on board. Finally, gambling is an issue that was raised by Senators Cassells and Joe O'Reilly on the Order of Business today. We must take on board the evidence we are hearing through our work of people who have relapsed into problem gambling due to anxiety, unemployment or sheer want of something to fill their time. One man spoke bravely on the radio last year about how he had...

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (15 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am delighted to second this Bill. I commend Senator McDowell on introducing it so swiftly in the wake of this problem coming to light. As he illustrated, it raises the issue of why the Oireachtas needs to take its legislative role so seriously. I spoke last November during the hate crimes legislation about how careless drafting or rushed legislation can lead to unforeseen consequences....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Yes, I am. Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine anseo. I have met many of them before. I wish Professor Cusack the best in her role as well. I wish to look back at what Deputy O'Callaghan raised in respect of STEM courses earlier. The answer was given, as I recall, in terms of diversity. Is it simply a question of diversity? This is a question coming from me rather than a statement....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I thank my old friend, Mr. Hannigan, for bringing that to my attention. It is important to make clear that it is not a question of one possible model or no model at all. Professor Cusack was invited by Professor Cunnane to address this as well but I had run out of time. If Professor Cusack has some thoughts on this, I would like to hear them. In response what Mr. Hannigan said, I would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: The witnesses might address that subject. I had a personal experience that wisely kept me away from engineering. I would like to know more of the witnesses' thoughts on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: My father told me to stick to the books and get off the building site.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am not asking Professor Cunnane whether his sector should admit them or not but whether-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: -----a second-level examination might funnel people towards areas that they have an aptitude for so that they end up applying for those courses.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I oppose nobody, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I may, of course, oppose certain ideas along the way. The announcement of the proposed arrangements for the leaving certificate this year is, it is to be hoped, a move towards certainty where there has been considerable confusion and upset. I have no doubt that some of the confusion will continue and that there will be twists and turns in the road. I am concerned about the cancellation of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: One of those rapporteurs is a distinguished Irish academic, Mr. Gerard Quinn. The group expressed alarm at a growing trend to enact legislation enabling access to medically assisted dying based largely on having a disability or disabling condition, including in old age. The group warned that euthanasia was increasingly being availed of by poorer people and people from racial and sexual...

Seanad: Student Nurses (Pay) Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome the Minister and thank him for all he, the Government and many other people are doing to keep us safe at this time. I know this is a very difficult time. It was Mary Harney who said that the worst day in government was better than the best day in opposition. I presume that still holds true in the Covid-19 era. It is a tough time for many people but...

Seanad: Ábhair Ghnó an tSeanaid – Matters on the Business of the Seanad (22 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: The general narrative on the change of government in the United States has been good riddance to Trump and welcoming the United States back to the civilised world. However, if one considers President Biden's recent comments on China, one has cause to be worried.He was at best incoherent and, at worst, worryingly nonchalant about the abuse of human rights and human dignity being perpetrated...

Seanad: National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector: Statements (22 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I compliment Senator Paul Daly on the points he made and on his commitment to climate awareness and sustainability.Indeed, I compliment the Senator on his choice of language where he encouraged us to beware of putting the cart before the horse. It would have been so much easier to modernise that phrase and say beware of putting the trailer before the tractor but he, quite rightly, chose the...

Seanad: National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector: Statements (22 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: The Senator is one of the lucky minority.

Seanad: National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector: Statements (22 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I have given it up for Lent.

Seanad: National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector: Statements (22 Feb 2021)

Rónán Mullen: That is even worse.