Results 4,521-4,540 of 7,640 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: Where were they in 2013 when other Deputies were following their consciences? Where were they?

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister very much for his open and thoughtful response to my amendment. An issue arose during my time in the Oireachtas which might illustrate the concern I have and which may be of assistance to the Minister and his officials. I think it is probably on point, but I would welcome the opportunity to tease it out with the Minister further, although not necessarily in this...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 17: In page 7, line 27, after “organisation” to insert “including international non-governmental organisation”.I wish to withdraw this amendment now and table it again on Report Stage because there is an error in it as published. I had intended that communications by international non-governmental organisations would be excluded from the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I ask the Minister to explain why international non-governmental organisations would not be included within the exceptions. That would be of great help to me because I was contemplating bringing forward an amendment on the matter on Report Stage.

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister. That is very helpful.

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 19: In page 8, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following:“(p) any communication, howsoever made, by a person specified in subsection 2(b) and 2(c) where the purpose of that communication is to disclose relevant wrongdoings.”.I must start by saying that I agree completely in principle with the purpose of this Bill. Politics depends on trust and...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: We should have a debate on debt, mortgages and home repossession. This is an ongoing issue that is raised in these Houses. Of particular concern is the manner in which the courts are dealing with personal debt and family home mortgages. The Personal Insolvency Act 2012 sought to address these issues by reforming bankruptcy law. I have criticised that Act in the past as ineffective....

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: Ba mhaith liom tacú go huile agus go hiomlán leis an méid a dúirt an Seanadóir Traolach Ó Braonáin maidir le RTÉ agus an táille craolacháin atá molta. It is high time we had a searching discussion in this House about the operation of the current television licence fee, the proposed broadcasting charge, and particularly the role of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2015)

Rónán Mullen: -----setting up companies and having private contracts with those companies. A contract is made with a particular company for the services of a certain celebrity who is being paid hundreds of thousands of euro - money that is paid by the taxpayer. They are being funded to lead a celebrity lifestyle while, at the same time, often enjoying a completely unaccountable role in seeking to shape...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I support the ringing call by Senator Jim Walsh for a debate on issues related to housing. The housing crisis in many cities and the apparent inability of local authorities to deal with it are very troubling and something that deserve our immediate attention. As a result of rising rents in the residential sector, a family that does not have an income earner is not able to keep up with...

Seanad: Broadband, Post Office Network and Energy White Paper: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister. I wish to address some points relating to An Post. It is two years since the Grant Thornton report commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union set out a strategy to revitalise the post office network. One of the key issues addressed in that report was the importance of Government contracts and support for the post office network. The post office network is a key...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: A lot has been said in recent days about maternity services at Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe. One of the issues that has emerged concerns the fact that hospital staff have had to send children to maternity hospitals in Dublin within six hours of birth to start life-saving treatment. I am talking about baby cooling treatment which is used in the case of babies born in a distressed...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: We would like to hear the Leader's views on those matters.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: Before the Christmas break I raised on the Adjournment the issue of procurement anomalies in the West/North West Hospitals Group, now known as Saolta. Various issues arose in regard to the group and the awarding of particular contracts. Connections subsequently emerged between the recipients of those contracts and management at the highest level of Saolta. The Leader will remember that an...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: The matter is already on the record in this House in the context of the matter I raised at the time. I do not ask the Leader to address the issue formally but ask that he kindly inquire of the Minister. The Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, assured me that an investigation that is under way by the HSE into the events would be completed by the end of December. That date was relevant...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I would be grateful if the Leader would find out what has happened to the HSE report which we were told would be completed by the end of December. What are the results and findings of the report and what are the implications for the personnel involved? This is a serious matter because it relates to the spending of public money. Very briefly and finally, I support every word of what...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: -----before an election and then break them. With the forthcoming referendums, there is a real chance in the coming weeks and months for the Government to say it will put the legislation to the House so that when it comes to a referendum each Member will be free to give whatever direction he or she sees fit to the electorate without fear of reprisal from the party leadership.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Report on Crime Investigation 2014: Garda Inspectorate (14 Jan 2015)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the witnesses. I am sorry I was not able to be here for the beginning of the presentation. Their report deals with the inconsistent approach to updating victims of crime, and many of the recommendations in the report relate to technology, restructuring and improved decision-making and supervision. An issue I raised with the Minister for Justice and Equality in the Seanad recently...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2014)

Rónán Mullen: I am not a supporter of the banking inquiry. I set out my reasons for this on previous occasions. I do not think that engaging in such an inquiry is a job for politicians. I also do not believe that there will be public satisfaction with regard to its outcome. That said, I do not approve of the complete disregard the European Central Bank and others have displayed towards the Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Rónán Mullen: First, I thank colleagues present, starting with the Cathaoirleach, who attended the awarding of the inaugural Human Life, Human Rights, Human Dignity award by the Ceann Comhairle this morning. Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow and Mary's Meals were worthy recipients of that award and Members nominated them because of the fantastic work they are doing in 13 countries in the developing world. They...