Results 1,421-1,440 of 7,640 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Last week Senator White went on record with the allegation that the university Senators think they are superior to everyone else. It reminded me of the joke about the Corkman with the inferiority complex who thought he was the same as everyone else. Listening to Senator White's eloquent defence of the Seanad and her case for Seanad reform this morning nobody could believe that anymore. She...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----for rushing like lemmings down the path of the proposal following the then Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Kenny's, snatch for this populist idea. It is clear that the way we should be going is rather than a hasty, simplistic proposal to the people which would almost certainly be passed given the general discontent about politics and politicians, we should engage in a staged...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I ask the Leader's view on that. Arising from the consultation with the people, because that is what such a preferendum would amount to, we could then have a clear idea about what precise proposal to put to people about political reform and Seanad reform at a later stage. I have no doubt that if one puts the question to the people, one would get a gradation of different positions. I doubt...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Perhaps we could hold a referendum to decide on whether there should be a "preferendum".

Seanad: European Affairs: Statements (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom i dtosach báire fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit agus a rá léi go gcreidim go mór go bhfuil an cumas aici agus an mianach inti an dualgas seo a chomhlíonadh go paiteanta. I want to welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish her well. She is fit for the role, but she has become Minister of State for European Affairs at a particularly difficult time in...

Seanad: European Affairs: Statements (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I would be delighted to receive it. I hope she forgives me if I ask her about certain things that she may already have addressed in her speech, or certain things she is not in a position to address today for legitimate reasons, but which I feel I should take this opportunity to raise. Many people are worried that we are prostrate before the agenda of private financial institutions. It seems...

Seanad: European Affairs: Statements (22 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I do not advocate withdrawal.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Today's newspapers contain reports on the latest developments in the saga around the Rostrevor nursing home. It seems HIQA and its inspectors were rightly praised by the District Court judge when the order for the home's closure was made. An issue, however, arises as to what protection is available for those who blow the whistle on abuses in nursing homes and other such situations. A...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Will the Leader agree with me that if we can get away from the targeting of people seeking to control schools and recognise that different groups in society have the right to aspire to provide education with the support of the people they represent, great progress will be made in this area? It is somewhat of a pity that there was no great attendance at the opening session of the forum but...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I have questions on several procedural matters. I have heard Senator John Kelly speak in the House on several occasions and he is always interesting and well informed. However, in this instance, given the scrutiny associated with the issue, I encourage the Cathaoirleach to exercise his right to stand up. It is not in his nature to be too hard on Members on any side of the House, but it...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: What is the Government's attitude on this issue? If the talk in recent days about pay in semi-State companies is to be more than merely symbolic, we must have a clear course of action in terms of the regulation of bonuses for other employees of these companies. I advise Members not directly engaged in Seanad business this afternoon that a briefing will take place at 4 p.m. on tomorrow's...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: We will catch it some evening.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I share Senator O'Brien's concerns about the ordering of business, as I expressed yesterday. This is an issue that can be resolved, once we start to have leaders' meetings, if we work out amicably and in advance the business to be transacted. There will, of course, be occasions on which it will be necessary to bring forward legislation at a fast pace. I am not convinced, however, that this...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: ----- if we were to make the necessary provisions to provide for better and more enlightened parental leave arrangements. It would also be a great tribute to him, because he did so much to tackle prostitution, if we were to hear at an early time from the Government on what it planned to do about the criminalisation of the users of persons involved in prostitution, as has happened very...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister is curing the defect in advance.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: We do not have that kind of imagination these days.

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I move: That Seanad Éireann: noting— that more than one in four cases of fraud and corruption worldwide are exposed by whistleblowers; that potential whistleblowers are often discouraged by the fear of reprisals and the lack of follow-up given to their warnings, to the disadvantage of the public interest; that less than 40% of Irish employers claim they promote whistleblowing in the...

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I thank all of those who contributed to the debate on this evening's Private Members' motion, my colleagues Senators Quinn, Crown and Norris, and also Senators O'Keeffe, Sheahan, O'Donovan, van Turnout, Gilroy, Colm Burke, Ó Domhnaill, Conway, Ó Clochartaigh and Reilly. I also thank the Ministers who were here this evening, the Minister of States, Deputies Jan O'Sullivan, Ring, Sherlock...

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Indeed. We could have arrived at an agreed wording. It is important that the motion is put to a vote this evening because of what is in the various recitals and for this reason I will oppose the Government's proposed amendment. Gabhaim buíochas ó chroí le gach duine a chuir leis an rún tábhachtach seo. Is ceist an-tábhachtach í a bhaineann le cultúr ár sochaí agus leis an gcaoi...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Today is a significant day because it would appear that we have found the answer to an age-old scriptural riddle concerning whether the sons will actually be made to pay for the sins of their fathers. It would appear that Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has given us the answer to that question: they will, indeed. Leaving aside the jocose aspect of this, the point needs to be reiterated that there...