Results 5,841-5,860 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Forced on us by the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I would be happy to second Senator Walsh's amendment to the Order of Business. I do not need to elaborate on the issue because my views on it are well known. I also support the Senator's remarks on job creation. If struggling companies managed to work out an arrangement with lenders that allows them to survive in these difficult economic times, it would be strange if the Revenue...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The Taoiseach is watching "Downton Abbey".

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I was happy to hear what Senator Walsh had to say about the Government's attitude to closing embassies. I remind my friend and colleague, Senator Noone, that it is not at all inconceivable that Fianna Fáil will return to Government, either at the next election or the one after.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I say that as a neutral.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I will tell the Senator one thing. Right now, there are people who will give their vote to Fianna Fáil rather than Fine Gael-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----because there are people in this country who were hurt by the closing of the embassy, that entirely unnecessary gesture by the Government, and there are people for whom it is a voting issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Fine Gael people, many of whom feel this was a wrong-headed move, know what they have to do on this issue. I do not believe it will go away because it was unnecessarily hurtful. Not only was it a hurtful gesture, it is quite interesting to note that many eminent, neutral commentators in the media, including people like Mr. Stephen Collins, Mr. Deaglán de Bréadún and Mr. Eamon Delaney, a...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I do not like having to say this but many people welcomed what the Taoiseach had to say when he was running for office about the new approach that would be taken and they will be disappointed to see that he is back to old, bad practices. I spend a great deal of time showing school and college groups and others around Leinster House and I talk to them very often about the separation of powers...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: It does not help the perception around our separation of powers when there is such an obvious link between political participation and appointment to the Judiciary, in particular. We need to debate that and other appointments to State agencies. The people are looking and they want to see whether Ireland is turning a corner in terms of new, better and more ethical practices. We should have...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: There is plenty of room up here. The air is purer.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Do they have a leader?

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. I would like also to welcome our guests from the Humanist Association of Ireland. I too welcome this Bill and the principle behind it, and I would like to give two reasons for that. I am reminded of the British Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, who has gone on record in the past supporting the ongoing establishment of the Church of England....

Seanad: Student Grants (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I apologise to the Minister, a Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Clerk for the delay. I raise this matter to discuss the eligibility requirements in place for qualification for student grants, particularly the residency requirement outlined in section 14(4) of the Student Support Act 2011. This residential requirement states that an applicant must have held residency here for three out of five...

Seanad: Student Grants (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: In thanking the Minister of State for his response there is still a lack of clarity. One student applying for a grant could be eligible, having spent the last year and half sunning themselves in Florida, whereas a person who has spent the past three years working for the poorest of the poor of the world would not be in a position to apply for the grant at the beginning of their course....

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Do not be so sure.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The Senator has an eye on a constituency.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: It seems to have gone unnoticed that the Government did score one victory in its joust with banking executives yesterday, namely, that it managed to convey to the public, through the media, how deeply disappointed it is at the awkwardness of the banks. We have been told that the Government is "infuriated" by their attitude. It is good for a Government which is not doing what it should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: It is noticeable and notable that the banking executives are of the view that their salaries should not be capped at even €500,000. In one case, a salary of €640,000 is being sought. It is clear where the power still lies in this country.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The Government should, at the very least, facilitate the bringing forward of legislation at an early date to allow the regulator to do what he needs to do in regard to the passing on of interest rate cuts.