Results 5,461-5,480 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I join colleagues in expressing concern at what happened in the Phoenix Park at the weekend and the ongoing problem of excessive alcohol consumption in our society. We have had many debates in this House on the need to curtail alcohol advertising, particularly where it is linked with sporting events in the context of sponsorship. There has been a great deal of hand-wringing, but we seem to...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: People who indulge in alcohol in this way seem to be revealing some very tragic neurosis in the Irish psyche. Of course, not everybody behaves in this manner, but it is a sad reflection on those who do. While I agree with Senator MacSharry that it is appropriate to listen to young people, I warn against a kind of timidity whereby we would stand back from declaring to the younger generation...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Bacik adverted today to her sense that there is a difference between censorship and what she might see as regulation of billboard advertising. I wonder whether she is the best person to be putting this case. I would like if we could have a debate, whether it be about lobbyists and registering them, and about how these things can tip over into a censorship mentality that would allow...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: With affection for my colleague-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: -----I would say that we need to be careful that we sometimes have a censorship mentality-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: -----but we might not be ready to admit it.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Trinity students have very long memories and they sometimes write to Senators.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: All local in its politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I understand that.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I have come from the same meeting as the Senator and echo her call for a debate. She raised an important issue. One of the central issues emerging on the workings of the new body is the question of what constitutes appropriate independence. There is an understandable fear of excessive Government interference in the appointment and workings of such a body. In some quarters there is a...

Seanad: Address by Mr. Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (3 Jul 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Go raibh mile maith agat. On behalf of the Independent University Senators, I, too, wish to be associated with the welcome to the Grand Secretary, Mr. Nelson, and to all of our distinguished guests here today. I am particularly honoured to speak after Senator McAleese. I do not believe there is anybody in this House who does not feel deep gratitude to our former President Mary McAleese and...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: It was a woolly mammoth.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Members have learned today how the Government has breached the official pay level it set last year for the starting salary of the chief executive of VHI and has done so dramatically. They also have learned that very few civil servants have forgone increments and they spoke yesterday about what the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, had had to say on the subject...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: There comes a time when a searching public debate is needed. I am a little concerned-----

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude on this point. I am a little concerned that members of the Labour Party believe they have their tails up in respect of the legalisation on abortion in Ireland. Some of them regard the expert group as the ready-up they need to foist it on more unwilling colleagues in government. However, on this issue I can state-----

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Any attempt to legalise abortion in this country will cause massive controversy because this is the signal human rights issue of our time. Ireland has been a beacon for other countries in the manner in which its medical care for women has been top-notch, while also protecting the life of the unborn. It is more of these posters that will be needed, not fewer, if that is what it will take to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: -----and, sadly, often causes mental health trauma for the other person involved.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: While Senator Ivana Bacik, of course, is entitled to interrupt, Members must not be afraid to engage in a factual, courteous debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Yes, billboards. Particularly when a Government is taking a censorious approach and perhaps doing things behind the scenes to advance a certain political agenda, one cannot deprive citizens of their right to communicate core ideals.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: However, I remind Senator Ivana Bacik that all Members are subject to the obligation of truthfulness.