Results 701-720 of 7,640 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I simply hope we will be able to have amendments that will provide that any benefits to be enjoyed by unmarried couples will be enjoyed by people in caring, dependent relationships of any kind.

Seanad: Unemployment: Motion (1 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tacaím go mór leis an rún seo ón gComhaontas Glas mar a thacóinn le h-aon rún agus laghdú sa ráta dífhostaíochta mar aidhm dó. It is very easy to say, and we hear many people saying, that the Government is not doing enough to slow and reverse the increases in the rate of unemployment. Regardless of whether it is doing enough, it is clear the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I was very glad to hear on the radio this morning the voices of some of my Seanad colleagues, Senators Doherty and Cannon, whose concerns about the Local Government (Charges) Bill were very well aired, particularly on whether people living in granny flats or self-contained units would have to pay the €200 tax. It was a relevant question on the legislation and we await the Minister's...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I encourage the Government to listen very carefully to the concerns raised by Opposition and Independent Seanadóirí about legislation. Senator Norris and I had some success last week in the discussion on the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill, although we would have liked more substantial success. The Government will encourage people to understand the virtue of our bicameral system if it...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It was not flooded.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: That is excellent.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: We do not have a guillotine but we have a cutting edge.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I was very taken with the last few contributions and the very pertinent issues raised by Senator Bradford. Senator Norris's Proustian flashbacks give us all a moment of joy as we work into the evening. The smell of mown grass is not unknown in east Galway and Senator Norris is welcome to visit any time. There is good sense in the Fine Gael amendment. I accept the principle of the Bill and...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit. The issue I raise is of great sensitivity. It is an issue many politicians and others would prefer not to receive in their in-tray because of the seriousness of the allegations involved in the case, the passage of time and the fact there are several interconnected issues. There is the question of whether a crime took place which should have been...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I accept that fully and while I wish to act with complete sensitivity in that matter, where that matter has been raised with me I have to make a judgment call-----

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: -----as to what is most appropriate.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I second Senator Fitzgerald's proposal as I share her concern about the manner in which the business of the Seanad is being ordered. We saw the Seanad at its best last week during the debate on the Local Government (Charges) Bill 2009 on which Senators, particularly on the Fine Gael side, raised relevant points and proposed amendments. We are today seeing the Seanad at its worst, with a...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: This takes away the best argument for the relevance of the Seanad to our national life. I would have no difficulty in the Seanad meeting for a couple of extra weeks to allow us to consider properly legislation that is put before us, in particular legislation in respect of criminal justice which impacts on people's civil rights, while attempting to respond to the very justified concerns of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 1: In page 24, line 18, to delete "section" where it firstly occurs and substitute "sections". I stated my intention on Second Stage to bring forth this amendment. I am concerned that in the context of unnecessarily rushed legislation and of a set of proposals contained therein, which are fine, the Minister is none the less proposing to use a sledge-hammer to crack a...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is never too late to stand up for a good principle.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Perhaps the Senator will speak for as long as he did on the Harbours (Amendment) Bill. He could talk out the legislation without voting against the Government.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: We are on Committee Stage.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: No.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: There is also a skill involved.