Results 2,261-2,280 of 7,637 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I have to, morally and in a spirit of collegiality. I will find out later what precise Vote is being proposed.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I want to talk about the artists' tax exemption but there is more to be said about it than I can say in a short period. In response to what Senator Martin said, regardless of which administration or candidate succeeds not everything about either administration will be good. That point was brought home forcibly as I watched some of the hearings that featured the very impressive candidate for...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I support the amendments tabled by Senators McDowell and Boyhan. The first amendment is definitional, setting up the reference to the confidential committee. The first of the two substantive amendments proposed refers to the material that will be passed on to Tusla and I note the importance of Senator McDowell's questions to the Minister at the outset. As I understand it, he was seeking to...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for his openness and, in particular, his response to my question. However, I have a number of remaining questions. I noted the Minister's comments on the Ryan commission and the legislation on which it was based but it is interesting that its terms of reference provided for the destruction of data. On Senator Seery Kearney's point, is it the Minister's view that the...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: -----how will it work in practice? Is he suggesting that he will consider tabling an amendment that will enable the commission to establish the will of those who attended the confidential committee as to whether their names should be redacted from the information to be sent forward? If so, within what timeline will that happen and how can the commission then dissolve by 30 October? Is it...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I forgot to add one important question. In my last contribution, I surfaced the issue of where information given by an individual to the confidential committee might adversely affect other people's reputations or make claims about other people, living or deceased. Therefore, the question of redaction, or otherwise, does not just concern the wishes of the person giving information to the...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: To close off on this, because it relates to the confidential committee, I draw attention to the last question I asked. I am not asking the Minister for detail but I am asking him to consider the specific issue I raised, namely, possible adverse testimony affecting people, living or dead, whose names might be the subject of a question on whether to redact.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister. This is the first time I have seen him in this House and I wish him well in his post. I look forward to engaging with him on this and other issues. I do not like the way things continue with regard to procedure in this House with the rushing together of Stages of legislation. It seems to me that a necessary delay of a few weeks would allow us to tease out the...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: That is precisely the kind of response that closes down respectful debate in our society because, as I have said, we should all want to look at the past in all its ugliness but also to look with honesty at the redeeming aspects that were there in the context of some people's stated experiences.Are we willing to talk about the families, for example, who did not show love? I ask that people be...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Of course it is shameful.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: Is it not interesting when somebody has a different perspective about what justice to children involves-----

Seanad: Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: I also care about survivors. I have explicitly stated that I want to support people who want to find out more about what their experience was. I just ask colleagues to remember that this is a kaleidoscopic situation where many people have different stories to tell. If we are only interested in some stories, that marks us down as some kind of hypocrites. That is all I will say.

Seanad: Shannon Group: Motion (14 Oct 2020)

Rónán Mullen: What about all of the airports that are not listed?

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

Rónán Mullen: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - Ireland has a proud history of supporting the protection of human rights across the world, particularly in developing countries; - the free profession and practice of religion is a cornerstone of Irish society and is enshrined in our Constitution; - Ireland has maintained good diplomatic relations with the People’s...

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

Rónán Mullen: I finish by stating that there was tremendous pressure to withdraw the invitation to Mr. Zen, as the Chinese designated the cardinal, and Mr. Lee. I was struck by the thought that if this is what China is like now, what will it be like in 20 years?

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...