Results 5,541-5,560 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

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.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: The Senator's antecedents are as far-flung as the late Charles Haughey's.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I support this Bill, which contains a number of different provisions. I would like to add my voice to those who have welcomed our Croatian friends, and I welcome them in advance to the European Union. I was one of the people who took part in the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs which discussed Ireland's future in...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the news that a single Government-funded body is to be created to oversee the retention of human tissue samples, which has been called for by a number of groups, not least the Adult Stem Cell Foundation of Ireland which not long ago made a presentation to Deputies and Senators. This is a welcome development, one we should debate in the House at some stage. It is a welcome...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support Senator Bradford's call for a debate on the economy. I do not know why the Tánaiste appeared to get upset when he was somewhat impaled by the comments of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, on increments. I thought of "Varad the Impaler" this morning. It is revealing that the Tánaiste resorted to suggesting that Ministers should not come out with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support everything Senator Burke stated. He is quite right. I welcome the fact that the Minister for Education and Skills has responded to the report on patronage and pluralism in primary schooling. While signalling my concern about any excessive attempt by the State to control the flow of information to parents in various urban areas and areas with an oversupply of Catholic primary...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Senator for sharing time and also for telling us that he was wrong on occasions. It reminds me of a friend who said he was only ever wrong once and that was when he thought he was wrong but he was actually right. Somebody said today was a good day for the Seanad that we had voted against the wishes of the Government and managed to secure a debate on the motion. It would be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support Senator van Turnhout's call for a debate on the report into the deaths of children while in the custody of the social services of this State. I am somewhat puzzled by the statistics which indicate that 84 of the 196 deaths over the ten period in question were due to natural causes. I find this difficult to understand and would like to learn more about it in the course of a debate....

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I express concern about the third leak of a sensitive report on the Irish economy from Germany's Parliament in just over six months which the European Commission has described as "extremely regrettable, unfortunate and irresponsible". I do not wish to draw inappropriate comparisons, but students of history will remember how Bismarck adjusted the wording of a particular telegram, the Ems...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: Perhaps the Taoiseach should put another call through to Angela.

Seanad: Business Undertakings (Disclosure of Overpayments) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Business Undertakings (Disclosure of Overpayments) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. This proposal arises from the need for ethics and transparency regarding overpayments which occur in the course of business transactions. The Bill does not seek radically to alter how business is done or essentially to create new rights where there is none. Rather, it seeks to address an issue which presents a...

Seanad: Business Undertakings (Disclosure of Overpayments) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, for his comments on this proposal and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, who has just come into the House. I also thank Senators Sean Barrett, Darragh O'Brien, Deirdre Clune, Feargal Quinn, John Gilroy and Kathryn Reilly for their contributions. There are two core aspects to this Bill. First is...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I call for a debate on the extraordinary happenings within the ESRI. What has happened in respect of the report on the cost of working in Ireland is remarkable. The truth should set us free. Is the problem with the report its findings, its methodology, analysis and calculations or is there a political problem with the stark and dramatic conclusions that the report, whether it is a working...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: I support what Senator O'Brien and others have said in welcoming our Bahraini guests and to underline the importance of the Government not being silent on the issue. I have mentioned in the past in the context of debates about China how there is a real danger at a time of economic pressure that this country would only consider issues through an economic lens. There is a danger that our...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jun 2012)

Rónán Mullen: -----whether those persons are parties to a dispute or situation of civil strife. A relevant letter was published in The Irish Times the other day from Mr. P. J. O'Mara. It made the point that while the Government has indicated its support for legislation to ban alcohol-based sponsorship of sporting events, we are still seeing such events being advertised and the announcement of forthcoming...