Results 681-700 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I welcome also this very important debate and discussion. On other days when we have discussed this issue, the many problems associated with the abuse of alcohol have been raised, such as domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy, child abuse, pressure on the health services and the fact that our accident and emergency rooms are full at...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator is out of time.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join my colleagues in urging a strong vote for the constitutional amendment in the referendum on Saturday. This is a real opportunity to make a strong statement of our commitment to children and to righting the wrongs of the past. I do not think the "No" side has put forward a coherent argument as to why people should vote other than "Yes" on Saturday. I condemn some of the outrageous...

Seanad: Youth Unemployment and Public Policy: Address by Professor Christopher Pissarides (Resumed) (8 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join in the words of welcome to Professor Pissarides. His was a most interesting, stimulating and thought provoking contribution, as were the other contributions. I come from a town that lost 1,000 industrial jobs in high volume, low tech engineering-type operations. It is very difficult to replace such jobs. Professor Pissarides spoke about the future for job creation being in green...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I have no difficulty in supporting Senator Ó Murchú's call for a debate in the aftermath, when the dust settles, on the referendum. I congratulate the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, on successfully steering through the referendum. It is the culmination of 20 years hard work on the part of many Members in all parties and all-party Oireachtas committees. I also...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I am disappointed the assurances we were given of a better system have not come to fruition.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the delegation and thank the Chairman and the Minister for the swift action taken. It is clear this fraud came to light because of the vigilance of the Auditor General in Uganda. What confidence can we have that fraud is not taking place in other countries in which we provide substantial aid? We would like assurance in that regard. Are there any plans to strengthen oversight...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in offering our deepest sympathy to the husband and bereaved family of the woman referred to in the newspapers this morning. I support Senator Crown in restraining from comment until such time as the full facts of the case are known. At that stage we should debate the various aspects outlined by many Members this morning. Another medical story is contained in this...

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join in the welcome to the Minister to discuss this important, issue which is exercising the minds of many people. I welcome the fact that there is such cross-party support for the motion as it is a major issue in all our communities. I was present in the AV room for the presentation which was one of the most striking I have seen for a long time and also one of the best attended. The...

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Is the Sinn Féin amendment being seconded?

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Then the amendment falls.

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I call on the Minister to respond and when he concludes, I hope we will be able to accommodate all the Senators who have indicated they wish to speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: It is important in a democracy that we have confidence in the judicial system. Without going into the Fr. Molloy case, to which reference was made, if there is a possibility that mistakes were made and that there was a miscarriage of justice, it is important it would be investigated. I support the call made by previous speakers for anybody who has any further information to add to this...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join with colleagues in condemning the appalling loss of life in the past week in Gaza and in Israel. I echo the call to invite the Tánaiste to the House for a discussion on that worsening crisis, particularly in light of our history of conflict and the contribution Ireland could make to resolve it. There is no way to dress this up. We have witnessed acts of unacceptable terrorism by...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: There are three speakers remaining, Senators Brennan, Barrett and Norris. As I must leave sufficient time for the Minister to respond, if the Senators are agreeable they can have two minutes each.

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator definitely does not have time.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join Senator Darragh O'Brien in asking that the situation relating to the inquiry into the events that took place in Galway University Hospital when Savita Halappanavar lost her life to be reviewed in a calm manner. It is obvious that the family of the deceased are unhappy with the situation, and it is desirable that this be taken on board. I am aware this is a particularly delicate issue...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join with my colleagues in complimenting Senator White for bringing forward this legislation. She has done the Seanad a great service by doing so and has stimulated an interesting debate on the subject. I was encouraged by the Minister's response to the legislation. While he will not accept it in its current format, he gave the indication that he is open to looking favourably on it in...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Yes, it is another anomaly in the retirement rules. Many people will want to work beyond the age of 65 because of the significant deficit in public and private pensions. The whole loss of experience in the public and private sector makes the case for allowing people to work beyond 65. Another reason to allow it is because people are living longer. It has been pointed out that many people...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Well done.