Results 7,081-7,100 of 7,644 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: We will start with amendment No. 3, which proposes, "In page 6, lines 10 and 11, to delete “within 100 metres of an entrance to either House of the Oireachtas”." I will resume from where we were on page 6. The clause as it currently stands states: Nothing in section 2(2) shall prohibit a person from engaging in lawful protest, advocacy or dissent within 100 metres of an...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: It is not an issue of choice if you are a young medical student who wants to specialise in obstetrics. I can say that to Senator McGreehan, who is my friend and colleague. They will be a second-class citizen if they believe that an unborn baby deserves to be protected, if they want to be the top obstetrician in their field but if they do not want to kill an unborn child. How much space...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I note that the Minister is uncomfortable with some of the ground that is being covered here but he and his predecessor, Deputy Harris, bear huge responsibility for the injustice that is now ongoing. It does a disservice to both mothers and their unborn children in this country, because of the vacuousness of their political approach and the completely unprincipled attitudes they now have to...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: -----but ideologically, they are on the hook.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I am speaking to the amendment.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: This amendment is about creating the space for free speech. I am demonstrating that the Government is on board with an agenda to curtail free speech in Irish society. I am thinking of the difficulty faced by an idealistic young medical student or a nurse who is coming up through the system, who wants to be the best he or she can be in helping to provide care for other human beings but who...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I would see it as a human rights position.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: There is a lot to respond to in what my friend Senator Gavan-----

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I am happy to let the Minister respond, but while I am on my feet I welcome the students from St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny, and their teachers if they are there. I had the pleasure of visiting that fine establishment in the past year when I presented one of the "highly commended" awards to one of the students. Is Paul there? I cannot recall his surname. He got his award from me. I...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: They are here for a dramatic discussion. There is a difference of opinion.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: We now have the honour of having our session chaired by the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, my friend and colleague, Senator Buttimer. People often come in and out quickly as guests and this is a very important issue we are discussing today because it touches on human rights and our respect for human dignity. I am delighted to have the students here. I am happy to give way to the...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: This is misinformation.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: Low standards in high places.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: No, not true. The Minister is lying. That is a lie.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I will do my best, but if it is claimed that Senator Clonan said people were intimidating, when he did not say that-----

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: Or respecting the truth as well.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: Who trusts the HSE?

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I will deal with you.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I will deal with your-----

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2024)

Rónán Mullen: I will put your arguments in their place in a moment.