Results 461-480 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I am calling on Fianna Fáil to put this into practice by supporting the new Irish Water utility, which will need to raise finance to invest in providing good clean water for all our people and for business and to attract inward investment. It is in all our interests for Irish Water to succeed in order that the water needs of the country can be met into the future. Much rubbish has been...

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I am sure that will be the case with many of the water meters that will be installed in houses. I agree with Senator Barrett on many things, but I disagree with him when he says water meters are not a good way to go. I think water metering is the fairest way of charging for domestic water.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: It is recognised in many countries and by the OECD. Metering also helps to identify leaks. The Minister of State has given a number of examples today of leaks that have already been identified, resulting in significant savings. The Environmental Protection Agency's 2013 report on drinking water highlights the need for major investment in our water infrastructure. I am pleased to inform...

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: Work will commence in the next two months on improving the water system in the town. There will be a major investment. I am delighted that most people in my new constituency of Roscommon-Galway will come off the boil water notices within the next couple of months. Previous administrations failed to provide for this badly needed investment over several decades.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: The people of Roscommon will have a water system they will be proud of.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I want to speak positively about the issues raised by Senator Craughwell. I urge the Minister to impress on Irish Water the need to ensure all contractors are operating to the very highest standards of work, workmanship and safety. We all know that many contractors can take short cuts on occasions. I want to make sure no person is injured or discommoded as a result of any contractor taking...

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: We have many deficiencies in our water systems throughout the country. In 42 urban areas, sewage is discharged into rivers and bathing waters, thereby putting them at risk of pollution. We need significant investment. I hope that the considerable increase in the number of people who have registered with Irish Water in recent days will continue. Irish Water needs to succeed. It needs to...

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: Senator Keane's six minutes are up.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: The Senator cannot display documents in the House.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: He can present them to the Minister of State afterwards.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: It does not need to be seconded.

Seanad: Water Services: Motion (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: You have one minute, Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join Senator Naughton in very much welcoming the announcement by Zimmer of 250 jobs for Oranmore and Acorn Life's announcement yesterday of 100 jobs for Galway city. It is clear the Government's Action Plan for Jobs is working. I am anxious that IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland place greater emphasis on the regional spread of jobs. I come from Ballinasloe, which lost 1,000 industrial...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: ----but many others do not. It is time we had a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality on this issue. People who serve on a jury and have a most important task to carry out should be covered in some way for their out-of-pocket expenses.

Seanad: HSE National Service Plan 2015: Statements (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister. That concludes our business for this evening. When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: HSE National Service Plan 2015: Statements (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join in the welcome to the Minister and wish him well with a very difficult task. I am sure if he had the opportunity to start with a blank sheet of paper and redesign the health service, there are many things he would do very differently from what he inherited. The Minister said there were enormous demands in and cost pressures on our health service, that health care demands continue to...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: If this is the case, we certainly need to have the meeting called for by Senator Wilson between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister to sort out this issue once and for all, so that the type of criminality being raised as an issue in the House on an ongoing basis, and being perpetrated by republicans, is stopped.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in extending our sympathy to the people of Paris and all of the families who lost loved ones in the Charlie Hebdo killings. It brings home very clearly to us all how vulnerable we all are. It would be appropriate for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come before the House to update us at an early stage on any potential security threats in our country. I agree with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Migration Issues: World Health Organization (14 Jan 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join my colleagues in welcoming the representatives of WHO and commending the people of Cavan-Monaghan on the good work they are doing. The service is often held up as an example for how good mental health services could be provided in the regions. The witnesses indicated that the number of migrants increased by 5 million people since 2005. What is the total number? Can they outline any...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: It is a public health issue and the HSE is charged with ensuring public health measures are dealt with.