Results 421-440 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: These will be technical amendments.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: Amendments Nos. 17 to 19, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: Amendments Nos. 21 and 22 have been ruled out of order as they are not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: Amendments Nos. 24 and 25 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: Amendments Nos. 27 and 28 are related and will be discussed together.

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: Is the Senator pressing the amendment?

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: Amendments Nos. 29 and 30 are related and will be discussed together.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: GOAL Programmes in South Sudan: CEO of GOAL (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join other members in welcoming Mr. Andrews and Mr. Elliott and I thank them for their very fine presentation. I join with colleagues in extending sympathies to the family of the British aid worker who was killed in recent days. I salute all the wonderful people who work on the ground in troubled parts of the world bringing hope, aid and humanitarian assistance to the most deprived people...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in welcoming yesterday's positive announcement by the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on assisting smaller primary schools throughout the country. It means a great deal to the parents and students of those schools, which saw themselves as being under threat in recent times. In my area, St. Teresa's primary school in Killure near Ballinasloe will remain a two-teacher...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I very much welcome the passage of the legislation and the all-party support for it. I join colleagues in urging the Minister to put pressure on his Cabinet colleagues to bring forward the betting control Bill as soon as possible. We all want to see as much control as possible put in place but I am concerned that we will still have a major issue with gambling in this country. We need to...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: The media need to adopt a constructive stance in this regard also. I am concerned that when local radio stations are reporting on upcoming sporting events, they give the odds that the local team will beat their neighbours. It is encouraging young people to consider whether there is money to be made on the upcoming match between two local parishes. That is sending out the wrong message, and...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I support my colleague, Senator Noone, and others in the request for a debate on the legal threats to Government by the cigarette companies. This is one battle we must win given the damage caused by tobacco to people's health and the cost to the Exchequer in that regard. My only concern is the counterfeit issue. I hope that packaging and security will be such that the particular concern...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I understand the students concerned had travelled from all over the country. I have no problem with students or anybody else having a few drinks. I am told that up to lunch time no problems or issues had arisen.However, I am very concerned about the condition many of those students will be in by closing time tonight-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: -----the potential damage to their health and to other citizens of Galway city and the potential disruption and anti-social behaviour that may arise. Much has been written recently, and there has been much debate in all media, on the impact of alcohol abuse in our society, including the impact on health and the cost to the health service. A Senator on the other side of the House referred to...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join my colleagues in welcoming the passing of this legislation. I pay tribute to the Minister of State for the keen interest he has taken in the Bill, as well as the officials and the Tánaiste, who was to the fore in bringing it forward. The Bill was described earlier today as ground-breaking legislation, and I hope it improves the lives of many people in this country. As other...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in welcoming the significant announcement made this morning by the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, regarding making available €250 million in the next few years. Some €150 million of these moneys will go towards building nine manufacturing facilities, strategically located throughout the country, one of which will be in County Galway. I will make a strong...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I highlight the fact that today is Safer Internet Day, which is an EU-wide initiative to make young people in particular more aware of the dangers posed by the amazing resource that has revolutionised all aspects of our lives, business and commerce. There is a need for constant vigilance to ensure that young people in particular are protected from some of the vile material that is available...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government made a significant announcement yesterday. He said he had secured agreement from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to recruit 200 new local authority staff to kick-start the social housing plan. These technical staff are required throughout the country to put together the ambitious plan to supply 35,000 social...

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: I had not planned on speaking either, but I still welcome the opportunity to support the motion. I compliment my colleague, Senator Conway, on tabling the motion. It should help to give a sense of urgency in order that the legislation can be introduced more quickly. No doubt the Minister of State will take on board the calls that have been made tonight for him to urge the Cabinet to bring...

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Michael Mullins: -----that they used mediation to resolve their differences. Mediation is a flexible process that is conducted confidentially, in which a third party assists the parties to a dispute in working towards a negotiated settlement. As Senator Jim D’Arcy said, the outcome, hopefully, is much more amicable and the parties can build on the goodwill that emerges through the successful...