Results 5,601-5,620 of 7,643 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Funding (12 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Absolutely. I understand those concerns. In the preparation of this matter I supplied the details of this to the Government. I take this opportunity, for the avoidance of doubt, that it does not matter to me what organisation is involved but it is the principle when it comes to using almost €750,000 in taxpayers' money over a period of years. It is of no concern to me what...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Funding (12 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for her reply but she is in the unfortunate position, as Ministers often are here, of having to deliver a speech on behalf of another Minister. I listened carefully but did not hear the answer to the core issue, which is whether an organisation that has not submitted audited accounts should be getting State money. The serious questions I have remain, namely,...

Seanad: Family Leave Bill 2021: Second Stage (12 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House. I feel somewhat overdressed on this occasion. If it were not for Mr. Groves I would be the only creature in the Chamber wearing a tie. This is not a criticism. I welcome the news that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will remain in Cabinet for the duration of her maternity leave with her duties to be taken over by a colleague. I am glad that a means to...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (22 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: In welcoming the Minister - cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire - I would like to endorse everything my colleague, Senator Dolan, set out so eloquently about the beauty of the area in which we live, namely, that of Roscommon-east Galway. I frequently walk and run around the back roads of my own place, sometimes bringing the dog, but I am always struck by the natural beauty of our place. I say...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (26 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I have two questions which require "Yes" or "No" answers.There is an unfortunate tradition of verbiage being prepared for Ministers to read. It is not necessarily the fault of the Minister delivering the reply but, sadly, the answers given on Commencement matters are often not what would be expected. Is it the position of the Government that there is a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (26 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Similar to the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, the Minister of State has given a personally generous answer, which I thank him for, but the statement he has delivered on behalf of the Government is typical of the evasion on this issue. The Minister of State has said that based on the current epidemiological situation, it will be necessary to celebrate Easter online and at home. He then...

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I command my NUI Seanad colleague, Senator Higgins, on introducing the Bill which I support. I welcome the Minister of State. We have a serious problem with value for money in this country. It arises in part because of the quick-fix nature of Irish politics and public administration and the constant desire to seek out easy answers to difficult problems, often for electoral reasons....

Seanad: Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021: Second Stage (26 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am proud to be accused of finally saying something gendered. I had wondered for so long what that actually means. Some €11 billion per annum is spent by the State on public procurement, which is 13% of our entire public spending. This shows the vast amount of money at stake here and how much there is to be misspent. It also shows the purchasing clout of the State and what should...

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: As of last Thursday, 25 March, just over 211,000 people, about 4% of the population, have been fully vaccinated. Most of these are older people over the age of 80 years, and front-line health workers. I want to discuss what this means for ordinary people who have been fully vaccinated but first I want to address events which occurred yesterday near Our Lady of Lourdes church in Mullahoran,...

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am just making the offer.

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: We are allowed to do it under the Standing Orders.

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: It frequently happens that Members give way here. I have made the offer. He is not forced to take it up but I just want to make the offer.

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: What would be so wrong with that? Is this not about getting clarity?

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am not going to call it censorship. I will speak for myself on this issue. It would be setting a good precedent to give way in this House to allow issues to be clarified. I have great respect for the Minister and the job he is trying to do but there is a-----

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: This is not a breach of Standing Orders.

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I have given way to Senator Buttimer in recent weeks and he was damn glad to avail of the privilege. I commend the Leader, Senator Regina Doherty, and the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, on comments they made yesterday on this matter. On the roll-out, Professor Liam Fanning of UCC has suggested that fully vaccinated people should be allowed to meet in...

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: On a point order, I have been in this House for longer than the Acting Chairperson. I am not going to say she has a better knowledge of-----

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, I do not think you know-----

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Do not abuse your position.

Seanad: Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (29 Mar 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Garvey is not in government when she is in the Chair. Please remember that.