Results 5,221-5,240 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: They were Cardinal Brady's words at one of the general congregations prior to the conclave. I believe they are quite prophetic. This is not just a matter for Catholics, for whom this is a moment of joy, hope and aspiration, but also for all people of goodwill throughout the world who aspire towards the possibility of a civilisation of love. Let us hope this pontificate will be one that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Black Market: Discussion with National Federation of Retail Newsagents (13 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the representatives of NFRN Ireland and thank them for their submission. Undoubtedly, the idea of losing Revenue, particularly in the current economic situation, is of major concern to many. Mr. Sweeney's points are well made. It is always in our interests to combat the black market. What does he say to arguments made by respectable groups such as the Irish Heart Foundation, in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: Why did that commitment not make it to the programme for Government? Did the Labour Party oppose it?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I am open to correction by the Minister, but my understanding is that the reason given as to why it was not in the programme for Government was that it would require constitutional change. Is my memory right in that regard? If so, would that not be a rather nonsensical argument given that it was contemplated to have a referendum to allow for the abolition of the Seanad?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister can confirm or deny it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: We are entitled to legislate about this matter.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister can praise the position after 30 years have elapsed. Is that the rule around here?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House. I was listening to my colleague, Senator Cullinane, who I think has a point. When a decision is made to put an issue before the people, there is a certain implication that there is a desired outcome. Whether one has a referendum on an issue, such as gay marriage or the abolition of the Seanad or the reduction of judges pay, the very decision to put an...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: My question probably more properly relates to section 4, so I might hold on until then if that is okay.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I too welcome you back, a Chathaoirligh. I would like very much if we could have a debate at an early opportunity about last week?s decision in the High Court on the issue of surrogacy. Others have referred to the matter in this House, including Senator Norris. It is one of those areas where we should not wait to see what the Government comes forward with but because this is a very...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I would like to be associated with the good wishes extended to the Irish Examiner. As a former columnist for the paper, I have happy memories of my engagement with its staff. It is important that the promise of an inquiry into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy is kept. I attended the very informative briefing yesterday, at which Ms Gemma O'Doherty spoke and I said that as a member of the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospice Services (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I would hope that something positive and substantial will come out of those meetings between HSE management and Galway Hospice. In the context of the budget for palliative care, will it provide for the expansion plans of Galway Hospice over and above the question of core funding?

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospice Services (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: With your permission, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, I might allocate a minute of my time at the end to my colleague, Senator Mullins.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospice Services (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I raise the important issue of funding for Galway Hospice because as I have said here in the Seanad previously, I believe there are some promises that ought to be kept in politics, and one of those promises was that given by the Taoiseach to the late Mr. John Cunningham, the former editor of The Connacht Tribune, when he said that the shortfall...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I am getting confused.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: We should call it a triad.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: On Senator Leyden's comments on Mr. Justice Abbott's decision on surrogate motherhood, it would be appropriate that we debate this issue in the House. Some very sensitive issues arise here and I believe we are only at the beginning of it. For example, what happens when a surrogate mother changes her mind and decides to keep her baby? Whose side should we take in that kind of dispute?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I agree it is primarily a justice issue in terms of what is just for the children involved. I am not sure that everything that is gradually being permitted constitutes progress in this regard. We could have a useful discussion on the matter. I welcome policy document on suicide prevention published by Senator MacSharry and Fianna Fáil. It is very interesting from what I have seen. Others...

Seanad: Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (27 Feb 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I would like to be associated with the tributes paid to her for the great personal interest that she has taken in the issue over the years and for her genuine hard work in seeking to bring the stories of the Magdalen women to light. She also sought to ensure that whatever measure of justice is possible at this late stage in their lives, and in...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Leader for his response yesterday on the Order of Business. I was invited to table an Adjournment matter about the promise the Taoiseach gave regarding core funding for Galway hospice and support for its expansion. I will do so but will the Leader use his good offices as well? That was a particularly sensitive promise that needs to be kept. I ask senior people in the main...