Results 2,221-2,240 of 7,582 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I again thank the Minister of State. I am grateful to all of the Seanadóirí who took part in the debate today. Having listened to the Minister of State, I am very concerned. I worry that the Government's approach to this debate today and to the issue generally is one of a nod to Geneva but a wink to Beijing at the same time. There is no sign of a copy of the speech from the...

Seanad: Ireland-China Relations: Motion (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude on this point. I thank you for your indulgence, a Leas Chathaoirligh. We know how important trade is. I come from a farming background myself. I do not ever want to do anything to damage Ireland's trade interests. However, sometimes other issues must take precedence. As I stated, we cannot have a Chinese wall between our trading aspirations with China and the serious...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Minister with responsibility for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Ministers and apologise if some of this has been covered already. I am mindful that we now have two Ministries for education. I was and remain a sceptic as to the justification for splitting it in that way. I have no doubt about the Minister's ability, tenacity and zeal in carrying out his mission with his portfolio. He mentioned the focus that the CAO process provides....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Minister with responsibility for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Would the Minister agree that we need to have a more courageous debate about student loans than we have had up to now? We are facing into a very difficult period financially in the medium term and all sorts of good things need public funding. Those who avail of a third level education have their chances greatly improved in life. It improves their chances of prosperity and a very successful...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Minister with responsibility for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I was quite surprised that NUI Galway, my alma mater, recently stood back from its initial requirement that students sign up to a pledge as a condition of registration for their courses. The pledge was, effectively to honour the requirements of social distancing and all the related restrictions that are particularly important for the student cohort. I do not wish to demonise any section of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Minister with responsibility for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (8 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: It is great to hear again a Minister quoting the Chief Medical Officer with approval. We are returning to some kind of normality within abnormal times. I echo what Deputy Ó Laoghaire said about the position of third level staff. They sometimes have very poor working conditions, poor remuneration, etc. That is definitely an area that we must look out for. On the subject of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: On the point made by Senator Chambers, I do not support the attack by the Tánaiste on NPHET recently. It was a very individualistic approach that he took, and the thought struck me that if they do business like that, perhaps they will not be doing business very long, either as a Government or in terms of the Government's relationship with NPHET. I see nothing wrong with NPHET...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach mentioned the departure of Michael D'Arcy from this House. I am sure we all wish him well. For the purposes of the business of the House, however, a lacuna in the ethics in public office legislation has surfaced whereby the cooling-off period provided for in section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 is unenforceable by SIPO and there is no penalty for its breach....

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: There is no chance of that.

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.I support the Bill. I commend my colleague, the father of the House, Senator Norris, on persisting with this important cause. I commend Senators Boyhan and Craughwell for also sponsoring the Bill. The Bill is welcome. It has two main effects: it puts the national screening advisory committee on a statutory footing; and, in the context of that committee's...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: That sounds like a First World problem.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I support fully what Senator O'Loughlin said about the need for hospice services in the midlands. I was delighted to hear her quote Dame Cicely Saunders, who made such a massive contribution to the world in developing hospice care and in her vision of hospice and end-of-life care. I ask for a rolling debate in the Seanad on palliative care services and end-of-life care. I do this in the...

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. This is my first opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment. I wish him the very best. Like Senator McDowell and others, I am supportive of the amendment and I am also supportive of this Bill. The need for an annual report speaks to the lack of transparency in terms of what has gone on. Many people have experienced considerable...

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: In trying to please everybody we are in danger of doing our economy and our social fabric serious damage. This is not a crude debate between the economic needs of various sectors of society and environmental and social considerations. It is more involved than that. Foresters have spoken to me about needing to thin their forests but being unable to do so. This has an environmental impact....

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister and thank the Government for what it has been doing to ensure the continuation of education, not just at third level but at all levels, during this time of crisis. We are fire-fighting at the moment and to some degree we have put aside consideration of many of the things we would aspire to see happen while we deal with the immediate challenges but there are lessons in...

Seanad: Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (24 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I would love to know if the Minister took time to discuss that with the people in NUIG yesterday because it seems very reasonable to have a mandatory requirement of signing up to a code of behaviour in the current circumstances.

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go geal léi ina ról nua. I welcome the Bill in general terms. It addresses what has grown into a serious problem in recent years. With the very broad right of appeal that exists against the issuing of licences in this area, and felling licences, virtually anybody can challenge a decision....

Seanad: Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (23 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach has already disposed of Senator Mullen.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I have listened with concern from my office to what is going on here this morning. There are two issues on which I would like the Cathaoirleach to comment. There is ongoing concern among Members, myself included, about the rushing of legislation and the taking of all Stages in one day is clearly within the Cathaoirleach's understanding of what the Order of Business discussion today may...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Sep 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I have a specific question for the Cathaoirleach about the order and the basis for it. Mr. Martin Groves's letter to each member of the Seanad, which I only saw this morning, states that the Cathaoirleach asked him to remind Senators that this is a special sitting and that the purpose, therefore, of the Order of Business is simply to decide the arrangements. What is the Cathaoirleach's...