Results 541-560 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2014)

Michael Mullins: I am sure that in all the years that John Corrie spent living rough on the streets of Dublin little did he think his name would be mentioned by practically everybody who has spoken in this House of Parliament here today. As we think of him, and think of his grieving family, the greatest tribute and, hopefully, legacy he can leave is that we will do everything possible, as public...

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his very comprehensive statement. Given the fact that the ceasefire is holding, we are all extremely concerned that very little progress has been made in negotiations to bring about a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. We are all concerned by the growing tension and increasing violence in the area and all support the call made...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the very positive job figures published yesterday by the Central Statistics Office which show that 80,000 more people are at work compared to the first quarter of 2012, when An Action Plan for Jobs was first initiated. Employment in the last quarter increased in all eight regions of the country, with the strongest increases in the west, the Border region and the south east....

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I had not planned on speaking but, given the topic we are discussing, I could not let the opportunity pass. Senator Bradford makes some valid points. I believe the incident on YouTube was most unfortunate and I am sure it is something Mr. Delaney greatly regrets. It certainly has not done any favours to the soccer community. We are here to recognise the critical role sport plays in our...

Seanad: Report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the Proposal for a Banking Inquiry: Motion (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I strongly support the motion and recommend that all Members do likewise. It is good to hear somebody of Senator Barrett's impartiality supporting it. I was a member of the CPP and I join with colleagues in thanking members of the Seanad staff and legal advisers who assisted us in the process. A very considerable amount of time was spent evaluating the proposal and while I can see why...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in congratulating Nóirín O'Sullivan on her appointment as the new Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. While she is making history in being the first woman Commissioner, she has, no doubt, been appointed on merit, given her experience within the force, having come through a very open and transparent recruitment process and seen off competition from within...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: He will give us a papal blessing now.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: It is very hard to sit and listen to Senator Byrne. As Vincent Browne reminded him the other night, his party has failed to invest in infrastructure during its 40 years of Government and it planned to bring in a €400 flat-rate water charge on every household.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I have expressed my disappointment on many occasions during the Order of Business about the time it was taking to sort out the issues in Irish Water. Serious mistakes were made, but my belief is that there was an overly ambitious plan to get a metering system installed nationwide. I am now pleased that the Minister, Deputy Kelly, and Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, have put in place a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I join Senator Paul Coghlan in condemning the mindless act of vandalism on Carrauntoohil. Unfortunately, we are seeing far too many of those types of theft and acts of vandalism around the country. At some stage, we need to have a debate on civic pride and how we can restore it, and how to ensure valuable and important monuments like this are protected and preserved. I urge the ASTI and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the fact that the Government has listened to the people and to us public representatives, who contributed to the debate through our parliamentary parties and raised people’s various concerns. I regret that it took so long to resolve but setting up a utility of the size of Irish Water was never going to be simple. I welcome the package the Minister for the Environment,...

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: When is it proposed to sit again?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I thank Dr. Hashemi for his wonderful insight into the conflict and educating us all on the serious difficulties encountered as a result. Is he optimistic about the progress of the Carter peace plan which provides for free and open elections supervised by the international community, to which we all strongly subscribe? What is the level of support for the moderate forces in Syria? Is Dr....

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I call Senator Thomas Byrne and he has six minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: To follow on from what Senator Jim Walsh stated about support for the moderate forces, how representative and how strong are they? Does Dr. Hashemi have concerns that if they were supported militarily, three factions would have strong military support? Would this lead to further loss of life, bloodshed and human rights violations? Dr. Hashemi would like us to support the struggle for...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I concur with Senator Quinn in complimenting everyone who was involved in the tasteful ceremony this morning to remember all colleagues who have died in recent years. I wish to flag a good news story, just announced this morning, which is that more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs from every county in Ireland participated in the first ever competition to find Ireland's best young entrepreneur....

Seanad: Horizon 2020: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well in his new and challenging role. I saw his dedication and commitment at first hand when he was Chairman of the Oireachtas jobs committee. He is now in a position to deliver the goods. This programme is one of the most exciting and best goods news stories that we have heard in a long time. Running from 2014 to 2020, this fund of...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: We, as a Government, are entitled to take criticism for the way the whole Irish Water issue has been handled. I am glad we have listened to the people who have marched and demonstrated peacefully, and who have contacted each and every one of us as public representatives. I hope tomorrow when the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, rolls out the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Housing Regeneration (13 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, to the House.

Seanad: Commemoration Planning: Statements (13 Nov 2014)

Michael Mullins: When it is proposed to sit again.