Results 841-860 of 7,637 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Resist the temptation.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I commend Senators Ross, Ó Murchú, Hanafin and others on raising the issue of capital punishment. It is horrendous to think that such punishments can occur in the civilised world. It raises the question as to how Ireland can, as a nation, courteously but insistently disagree with other countries when they abuse human rights in various ways. During the Jubilee year, there was a beautiful...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 8: In page 25, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: "(d) facilitating specified service providers in the fields of the provision of emergency housing, transitional housing and related areas to have preferential purchasing rights in relation to the purchasing of such housing units, particularly where there are housing problems as defined by the local...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Why?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for his very illuminating response which is worthy of Stendhal's character, as I said earlier. When I saw the phrase "in specie", I thought I was reading the phrase "in species". I thought that might have been a mechanism for the eventual transfer of certain white elephants back to the Minister that had not been disposed of.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I have not heard any intellectual disagreement with any aspect of my amendment and the Minister has not pointed to any specific problem with the proposed wording. He went on to embrace both the spirit of the proposed amendment but he also expressed his intention to achieve, using other powers in other sections of the Bill, what the amendment specifies. It is important to specify this...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I echo the remarks of Senator Lábhrás Ó Murchú. It is fantastic news that Fr. Sinnott has been released. As Senator Ó Murchú said, the heroic example shown by people like that should never be forgotten in this country. He is operating in a part of the world where people continue to suffer for their faith, and the conscientious expression of their faith. That is a daily reality for...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I was not about to criticise Senator Bacik or anybody. I merely intended to say that a certain leeway must be given to people in the House. To even imply that somebody might have a brass neck is not much of an insult. Some people in politics might even take it as a compliment. There was much discussion yesterday about solidarity and Ireland's need to give witness. That was in the context...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Hear, hear

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I thank Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú for his kind words, which are deeply appreciated. At a symposium on education in Crescent Comprehensive College, Limerick last weekend, which I addressed, a person raised the issue of the provision of electronic white boards in schools. This led to a brief and interesting discussion of the merits of such white boards. Many people were of the view that...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: He shall remain nameless. I welcome this step towards international standards in information and communication technology in our schools. We have a long way to go but this is worthy of some welcome. We will wait to see what is done about the provision of broadband. Tá áthas orm freisin, aontú leis na Seanadóirí Máire de Faoite agus Labhrás Ó Murchú maidir le teacht ar ais Fhoinse....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: She will go for the big job - the Senator need not worry.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Tá droch-scéal agus dea-scéal ón Gaillaimh inniu dar ndóigh. Only yesterday we spoke about the good news about the decline in the number of road deaths and then overnight we received the sickening news of four young women on a road I know very well being struck down in the prime of their lives. At a time when they should be enjoying life and profiting from their studies, they are no...

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate. People are becoming more and more aware of the exciting new potential of alternatives to fossil fuels. It is not long since none of us was aware of concepts such as biomass, bio-fuels, sustainability and renewability in the context of energy production. Many lament the problem of...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am also relieved to hear the Taoiseach's hint to the effect that the old age pension will not be cut. There are many other deserving groups in society which have similar hopes they will not be unfairly targeted in the coming weeks. Senator O'Toole is right to stress the bona fides at the heart of the public sector and the concerns of workers in the public sector. Like him, I would like...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 56: In page 28, paragraph (b), between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: "(i) the provision of facilities for physical activity to promote a healthy lifestyle.". Section 24 amends section 48(17) of the Principal Act. Section 48 provides that: "A planning authority may, when granting a permission under section 34, include conditions for requiring the payment of a...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I hear what Senator Coffey has to say and he would not resist me too strongly when I say that obviously there is a need to be concerned about the idea of any costs being passed on to buyers but it is like the debate on whether people exist for the economy or the economy for people. We can say the same about development. We have just lived through a period where people existed to suit...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: No.

Seanad: Third Level Charges (25 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I welcomed the opportunity to hear the previous matter on the Adjournment. Some issues were raised on which Senator O'Malley and I could have interesting discussions in due course. My topic is the student services charges and the need for the Minister to clarify whether a significant proportion of the €1,500 student services charge is...

Seanad: Third Level Charges (25 Nov 2009)

Rónán Mullen: My comments are not directed at the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I am sorry to have to criticise the Department of Education and Science twice in one day but it is ironic to refer to the framework of good practice and to principles of transparency when there is little transparency evident in the reply. The word that comes to mind is "spin" when I consider the allegation that colleges...