Results 5,121-5,140 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2013)

Rónán Mullen: We need Judicial Council guidance on sentencing. We need to move away from the Executive's role in determining precisely how long a person spends in prison. This should be a matter for the Judiciary when sentencing and there should be sufficient discretion. A statutory-based parole board is vital in this area also. I call for this debate and I hope it takes place.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: We could have an omnibus debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I wish to follow what Senator Colm Burke has said in respect of the publication of the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children. I am not a member of the committee, but having been involved in the hearings on abortion I reckon the external consultant auditor, Michael O'Sullivan, seems to have done a very fair job in summarising the diverse points of view that were heard. I...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs Services Provision: Motion (29 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for his response and those Members who contributed to this debate, Senator Mooney for seconding the motion, Senators Jim D'Arcy, van Turnhout, Moran, Norris, Clune, Ó Domhnaill, Healy Eames, Reilly and Hayden. I want to acknowledge a number of valid points and I echo what was said about the very informed contributions made by various speakers, for which I am...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs Services Provision: Motion (29 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I move: ''That Seanad Éireann, noting:- the recent publication of the report 'Supporting Students with Special Education Needs in Schools' by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which, pursuant to Section 20 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, has a statutory role in advising the Minister for Education and Skills on any matter relating to...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: This is something of a valedictory address from me at the start of the Seanad week.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: It might be a case of being forgotten but not gone because Senator Norris will take over as group leader from 1 June for two years. Given that the Constitution prescribes that the Dáil could sit for up to seven years after a general election, I have not given up hope of a return. However, I wish Senator Norris well over the next two years. Perhaps the Leader would agree with me that...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: The details of the latest claims are sketchy and it appears to be one person's word against the other's. There is the possibility of arrogance sometimes among elected representatives and I would be very concerned if that led to arrogance when people got into power.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I was going to say I used to be arrogant but now I am perfect. The issue remains what happened to Deputy Wallace. I continue to find it very troubling that a casual caution, so to speak, found its way up through the ranks of the Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner sought to make that comment - whether it be tittle-tattle or otherwise - to the Minister for Justice and...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: ----- extra responsibility on the part of-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I would be very happy to have a debate on the issue. Does the Leader believe it might be appropriate for the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to say just a little bit more -----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: -----because what seems to have gone on is unacceptable regardless of how it is sliced and diced? The Garda Commissioner and the Minister need to make fuller apologies over what happened with Deputy Wallace. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Deputy Keaveney, the chairman of the Labour Party for having the courage and independence of mind to make his position on the Government's...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: In fact I am because I have been calling for a debate on this legislation. This is my first opportunity to reflect on what happened at those committee hearings.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I conclude by saying that it was chaired very well, but it was extremely disappointing that we did not, as I predicted, have the opportunity to interrogate the issues in the way that was needed. I was very disappointed that the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children saw fit to take a very partial approach in his radio interviews,-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: ----- name checking only supporters of this controversial legislation-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: -----which, when one examines it, is really quite sick in many respects.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (Resumed) (21 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: That is very unfair on the rest of us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (Resumed) (21 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Had I known there was that much time available I would have insisted on having another word myself.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (Resumed) (21 May 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I have a couple of questions. Again, we have heard some very differing opinions about certain ethical and legal realities. In regard to the question of fatal foetal abnormality and those very tragic situations, I wonder whether that debate is not more appropriately categorised as part of a euthanasia debate. Defining the unborn by reference to any future personhood or life that he or she...