Results 5,501-5,520 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Passenger Name Records: Motion (23 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: -----and he sees fit to continue the agreement. That says something about the rhetoric sometimes employed in these debates. The bottom line is that we live in a dangerous world and a test of reasonableness, a key principle, must apply. There are issues surrounding the collection and retention of data about people, but I am comforted by the detail of the agreement. First, people will have...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Michael D'Arcy's reference to grandstanding is nicely in line with the issue I wish to raise, namely, my concern that some of my colleagues have been losing the run of themselves at recent meetings of the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture. I feel as passionately as anybody about the wrong done to the individuals concerned by RTE's "Prime Time...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support what Senator Jillian van Turnhout said and draw attention to the need to care for another section of the community. It is distressing to note the rise in the number of cases of elder abuse being reported. The HSE attributes the rise in the number of referral of approximately 9% in 2011 as compared to the figure for 2010 to factors such as increased public awareness of the issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Bacik kindly responded to my request for a debate on the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland report last week and I am grateful to her for that. I understand it is the intention of the Government to facilitate debate in the Seanad on the report and I ask that we have that debate sooner rather than later. Significant attention has been paid to what was said and done at the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2012: Second Stage (16 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: While I commend the Minister for bringing this Bill before the House, I do so with reservations. It may be quaint to ponder life in the 1800s and the legislative cures required at the time but I question the Bill's value in improving the accessibility of legislation for those who need to consult the law today. I acknowledge the work that has gone into this Bill and other statute law...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I commend Senator O'Donnell on what she has just said. I support every word of it. I would like the Deputy Leader to arrange for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to come to this House to discuss the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland report that has been finalised and published in recent days. We debated media standards with the Minister some...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I am indeed. The quotation I have cited is not conclusive, but I suggest when we come across that kind of level of assumption about a particular group or category, we begin to understand what groupthink means. Another important issue was raised on the "News at One" when it referred to the high level of intervention and incorporation of legal advice that took place when Charlie Bird and...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Yes. Perhaps the Deputy Leader will agree that a sustained consideration of the issue of groupthink, not just within RTE but outside it, is needed now that it has been brought to the surface. Groupthink can flow from editorial hubris when a production team has been highly successful, for example. Equally, we need to consider whether certain assumed cultural ideas and attitudes within an...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I share the sentiments of respect for people's private lives and of promoting a culture of inclusiveness, which have been key hallmarks of this debate. I appreciate the respect shown by both Ministers, particularly Deputy Shatter, for the fact that there are competing values. I agree with many of Senator Hayden's comments. In particular, I was struck by her account of the culture that...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister. He is suggesting my comments must be taken in the round.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I have no concerns about the divesting. I was speaking in the context of the stand-alone schools.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome that comment from the Minister.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I was not here earlier when the Minister commented on Ashbourne but he mentioned that the local Catholic patron had not applied for a school, extra classrooms and so on.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I am sure that is correct. This touches on the whole issue that comes up in regard to baptismal certificates, enrolment policies and preference being given. Maybe the Minister will agree with me that there has been a bit of a mini-calumny here because as I understand it, schools generally of whatever denomination are inclusive. Where there is a shortage of places, choices have to be made....

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Revivification will be inevitable.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House and to thank him for his ongoing and thoughtful commitment to debating education issues in the Seanad. I would take a critical view of the report, although I agree with many of its points. I support much of what the report has to say about the divestment process. This is an issue on which everyone is agreed that there needs to be divesting of schools in...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: We agree on divesting

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support completely the point made so eloquently by Senator Hayden. I also encourage my colleague, Senator Norris, perhaps not to misjudge this issue and I am sure he would not do so intentionally. I am not aware that this is a church school. This appears to be a decision, purportedly in the name of ethos but in reality a capricious and individualistic decision, that no right-minded...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: However, I wished to raise the issue of early prisoner releases today. Members should support the Government's initiative to arrange for the early release of 1,200 prisoners over the coming years. This is not a move that should be allowed to excite any hysteria and provided decisions are made in the appropriate fashion, it is to be welcomed. I also note the Prison Service is earmarking the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Christian socialist.