Results 61-80 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I am conscious of the time constraints but I wish, particularly in light of the season that is in it, to make a few brief comments. As a fresher Senator, I wish to thank my colleagues for their great courtesy during the year. I am sure I speak for the other new Senators when I say we have all been made to feel very welcome. There is a great spirit of camaraderie around the House which we...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: While it is important to have rules and regulations in respect of the entry of people to our country, we should never forget the human dignity of those with whom we are dealing. A failure to recognise the latter sometimes marks our immigration procedures. Figures provided by the Central Statistics Office indicate that the number of female lone parents with children under 20 years of age...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I am seeking a debate on this matter because we must find a way to discuss how we cherish all the children of the nation equally while simultaneously promoting the culture — that based on marriage — which best favours their happy upbringing. We must be able to consider this issue in a consistent and generous way. Concerns have arisen regarding an increase in the number of people dying...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: We should not overdose on political correctness either.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude by thanking people for the many Christmas cards I have received this year.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: I hope people will not take it badly when I say——

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Rónán Mullen: ——that I would have appreciated it if the stable at Bethlehem, and not that at Leinster House, had been depicted on a few more of them.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I support those who are concerned about the motion to maintain the limit on the Order of Business at 40 minutes. This matter should be left to the Committee on Procedures and Privileges, as Senator O'Toole stated, for a number of reasons. This is the one occasion in the day when the House is almost full. In addition, we have not exactly been overburdened with legislation for our consideration.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Rónán Mullen: In the spirit of debate, the Order of Business presents an opportunity to Senators to raise issues of concern to the public. I appeal to Senator Cassidy to withdraw the motion in order that it can be deliberated on in the proper way, as suggested by Senator O'Toole. I thank Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú for raising the issue of RTE's decision on medium wave transmissions. I am concerned that...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I am glad to hear it.

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I thank my colleagues for their learned contributions and it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the Minister's fine contribution. As a former student of law, I felt a twitch in my hand as I had an irresistible urge to take notes as when I was in college. If the people of Dublin West ever do what I do not expect them to do, the Minister would be a welcome guest wherever...

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Rónán Mullen: They never got to prove the equation because the deletion of proportional representation was twice proposed in an amendment to the Constitution and twice the people said "no". De Valera may not have realised in 1938 that the Irish people would use Bunreacht na hÉireann to frustrate his wishes concerning the voting system but that does not lessen his achievement in putting the document...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Senators should not barrack the speaker.

Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (6 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen and the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, who is taking his place. I welcome these statements from the Government. I will preface my remarks by saying that I have had the good fortune and the pleasure of attending the series of lectures being organised by the Environmental Protection Agency in the related area of climate change. I attended...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I add my voice to those calling for a debate on road safety. There are voices of disquiet concerning the fact that we do not have the speed cameras promised a number of years ago. I speak as someone who amended his behaviour on the road because of the introduction of speed cameras. Somehow, the momentum has been lost in recent years and I wonder why this is the case. The Government will...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: As I was one of them, I crave the Cathaoirleach's indulgence.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Will the Cathaoirleach allow me a few more moments? I could recite in my sleep a motion that ran in the House for three weeks concerning the need for a cross-party approach to tackling the problem of alcohol misuse, but unless we discuss in direct terms in the Chamber serious issues like tackling drinks companies, we will not get far with platitudes. I congratulate my colleague, Senator Mary...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: If the Senator needs advice on good election slogans, perhaps she could say that behind her smooth exterior lies a soft centre.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: What about former prisoner-of-war Members of the Oireachtas?

Seanad: Millennium Development Goal: Motion (13 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The idea of the Irish Government spending money for these declared purposes is laudable. The millennium development goals commit us to reducing maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015. Any money we spend seeking to prevent female genital mutilation and maternal mortality and on the campaign to end fistula is money well spent. I commend...