Results 621-640 of 7,637 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 3: To add after "aid programme": notes that the OECD/DAC also said: 'the challenge for the Government is to reach these targets despite severe economic downturn and increased budgetary pressure'. That DAC also urged the Government 'to refrain from further budgetary action that would undermine this commitment'; notes the recent concession by Minister of State for overseas...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the thoughtful contribution made my Senator Harris. I also echo Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on Mr. Justice Seán Ryan's report, repeating the call I made yesterday. As a practising Catholic I feel sorrow and shame because some of those who officially represented the values of the gospel in which I believe failed to live that gospel in the way they treated children and in...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Shame on us if we put the goods of the church ahead of the good of victims. The religious orders have a moral duty to look at what has happened under their care, at the resources they have now and what it is in their power to do to help heal the hurt - I stress "help" - including the application of such resources as they have at their disposal. It will be a complicated matter. Some...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: -----course of business, which was organised some time ago to discuss the work that needs to be done to assist victims of human trafficking. The person concerned is giving of their own resources to help people because of the flimsy contribution they are getting from the State. Let us keep our sanity in all of this, even while we ask the hard questions of the religious orders and others.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I compliment my colleagues on raising the issue of alcohol. I was present at the NUI Galway alumni event at which the Ard-Stiúrthóir of the GAA spoke and I raised the issue of alcohol advertising in connection with GAA events. Let us be clear, the reason alcoholic drinks companies advertise or connect themselves with sporting organisations and activities is to piggyback on the glamour...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I see it as protecting the rights of different groups in society, in conscience, to an education that reflects their ethos. People who raise such issues at this time, which are extraneous to the needs and concerns of victims, in particular, run the risk of being accused of being cynical or manipulative at a time when we are all struggling to deal with a grim reality.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I do not intend to take anybody's reputation but I am asking——

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: In the light of that I will reserve any further comment for the substantive debate.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I dtosach báire, ba bhreá liom an tAire Stáit a fháiltiú go dtí an Teach. Is díospóireacht tubaisteach í an díospóireacht seo, i ndáiríre. Tá gach éinne atá tar éis dul i ngleic leis an méid atá sa tuairisc seo croíbhriste de bharr an méid a tharla do dhaoine óga. Ba chóir go mbeadh na daoine is laige i gcroílár an tsochaí. Ba cheart go mbeadh cosaint ar fáil...

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is about leaving people free to follow their consciences, which in the context of equality matters includes employment decisions.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am open to that but it was not clear to me. One must look honestly at the Constitution and ask how much undesirable linkage there is in the present set-up. The mere fact that religion is honoured in our Constitution does not mean there is an absence of separation between church and State.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It certainly honours the free practice of religion and recognises it as a social good, but it in no sense places a disability on people who do not practice that faith or a Christian faith of any kind.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Yes, and I would be open to looking at that aspect of it, but that would not amount to a separation of church and State. I would be in favour of including other faiths but that would not open up the issue of what Senator O'Malley described as a separation of church and State. As we all know, the young people in the institutions were not guilty of any sin. Nonetheless, it seems appropriate...

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Let us go forward remembering that what we must now do is focus on the need for justice for those who were abused and focus on the need for fairness as we come to terms gradually with the evil that occurred in our society. Let us do everything necessary to ensure such evil never occurs again.

Seanad: Monageer Report: Motion (27 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit. Níl mórán le rá agam. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo againn inniu. Bheinn buartha dá mbeimid ag cur iomarca béime ar ghnéithe an tuarascála atá fágtha ar lár. Tá línte ag dul tríd na hailt sin. Tá contúirt ann go gcaithfimid iomarca ama ag caint faoi ceisteanna a bhaineann le cursaí dlí. Sa chás sin,...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I support Senator Coffey's call for a debate on the Spirit of Ireland proposal. I too have called for a specific debate on that proposal. I congratulate Senator Butler on organising the briefing on it. Like Senator Coffey, I believe this concept has tremendous potential, not least because at a time when serious questions are being asked about Ireland at home and abroad in terms of how we...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: That is excellent timing.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I also congratulate Alan Kelly on what was a magnificent achievement. I know, from hearing him in this House, that he has the talent, ability and commitment to make an excellent contribution in the European Parliament and I wish him well. I was sorry that other colleagues did not succeed in their endeavours but I do not doubt they will enjoy success at a future date. I also note that in...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Does the Senator mean "left-wing" when he uses the term "sinister"?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Some people here might find that a change.