Results 5,881-5,900 of 7,643 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I would like to ask for a debate, which we need urgently, on the meaning of commemorations at this sensitive time. When we had various commemorations of the Famine, and marked it and remembered all of those who lost their lives, it never occurred to me that we might be celebrating the fact that so many people died and suffered. I do not think many of us would have gotten involved if it was...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Understood. I fully intended to honour what the Constitution says and the practice of this House. His phrase is inescapably relevant. The President has spoken of "narrative hospitality", an eloquent phrase that talks about a willingness to be open to the perspectives, stories, memories and pains of the stranger. All I am saying is that I am confused. It would take a wise man to figure...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: We often see fit to praise him and I think we should, when he deserves that. If we find ourselves in disagreement, I think we should be free to say it.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude. I will not do anything to disturb the tranquillity of the Cathaoirleach's job other than to say that we now need to have a discussion about what commemoration means. It is undeniable that a choice that has been made has certainly stoked up something in Irish public opinion that might not be entirely helpful. Forse un saggio e forse anche un furbo.We need to address and...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I of course welcome this Bill. It is of a technical nature, but it does some important things. The Minister of State discussed the difficulty of obtaining prosecutions under section 2 of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. There have been prosecutions in that regard, but the Minister of State's point was that it is often difficult to prove effectively that the trafficking or...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Having listened to the two Government speakers so far, I could easily be persuaded to give way so that we could hear from the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I think everybody would want me to sit down if the Minister of State wished to get to her feet. What it brings out is the complexity of these issues. Those of us from rural Ireland are very concerned that as we go forward to take...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am over 50 now David. Gambling with Lives is a charity in Northern Ireland that has begun an important pilot programme to bring the message of the problem of gambling addiction to young people in Northern Ireland, where it is a particular problem. We also know that it is a significant issue in the South. Senator Ward and others are to be commended for their Bill banning betting on the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: The only flashing light will be the pilot light.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I will stick to the races.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion with School Management Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh ár n-aíonna. I thank them very much for being here and for their presentations. I will just ask a few general questions. I am glad to let people answer as they see fit. I will also play devil's advocate to some degree because, while a great deal of good work is being done, people do have questions about the quality of our education system. I will jump...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion with School Management Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I thank Mr. Irwin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion with School Management Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I would like an answer on the question relating to China at some point, please. I notice that no one is queueing up to answer it.

Seanad: Situation in Belarus: Statements (5 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Sometimes the facts speak for themselves. In an election in August 2020, Alexander Lukashenko got 80% of the vote. This is his sixth term in office, having first been elected in 1994. This is a man who relies on fear in order to stay in office. Any voices of dissent, whether online or in the streets, are found, beaten, jailed and tortured. There are 650...

Seanad: Situation in Belarus: Statements (5 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Does the Minister mean Russia?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Would it be timely for us to have a debate on the ongoing progress of our vaccination programme against Covid-19, in particular, and of course with other vaccination programmes in mind as we enter the flu season? There are many important issues to discuss, such as the issue of the booster vaccine, the ethical question around the developing world and its need to access even first vaccines for...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I am pleased to second this Bill. It is a long time since I have been before the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and as she is a member of the Government I want to put something on the record of this House. I believe it very important that our Government is represented at the interdenominational service in Armagh on 21 October. I do not believe it has been made clear whether the Government is...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister is the person who should be there because she would certainly represent this country and the Government with dignity and decorum. I just wanted to take this opportunity to put that important point on the record of this House. Sometimes it is the only way one can get the ear of the Minister. This Bill needs to pass today. It should not be subject to a nine-month delay and...

Seanad: Registration of Wills Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Okay. The registration of a will is optional, not compulsory, and that is necessary because we do not want a situation whereby the failure to register a will would invalidate it.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: I have just come from chairing an online event entitled, Countering Human Trafficking in Ireland, hosted by the all-party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group. We heard from two experts, Ms Sunniva McDonagh, a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, and Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab. Given Ireland's low, tier two or "watchlist" status in the Trafficking in Persons, TIP, report...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2021)

Rónán Mullen: Since there is honey going around, we can draw the obvious conclusion.