Results 5,881-5,900 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (12 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, is it possible that copies of the Minister of State's speech could be circulated? That would make it easier for us to digest what is being said.

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (12 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I do not know whether it is appropriate to start my contribution with a reference to St. Augustine.

Seanad: Missing Children Hotline: Motion (12 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil an méid ráite agus atá ráite aici. Chomh fada agus a théann sí, tá fáilte le cur roimh an méid sin. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Rialtas an líne chabhrach seo a chur ar bun. Tá géarghá leis. Chuala mé cad a dúirt an Seanadóir van Turnhout - bhí an ceart ar fad aici faoi na hábhair a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Before making my contribution I may be able to assist the Cathaoirleach on one point arising from Senator O'Brien's contribution. The operation of the sub judice rule exists so as not to prejudice proceedings that may be taking place in the courts. I have taken legal advice on this specific point because I come from the parish in question. As long as one confines oneself to the apology and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: This is a point of order as I am explaining a legal point. Other institutions in our society in the past have been rightly criticised for taking a too conservative approach with regard to legal advice. If we do the same it will be to the detriment of our job in the Seanad. Confining myself to issues in the public domain, Senator Bacik is right to a certain extent.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: With due respect, I have taken legal advice on this very point and I am honouring the conventions and requirements of the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: We could get to the stage where we are both invited to publicise our legal advice and its origins.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Bacik knows him very well. What I believe is appropriate is that the relevant managers of RTE be invited to come before the all-party Oireachtas committee dealing with communications to explain how the decision to broadcast the Fr. Reynolds allegation came to be made, why it was decided not to await the outcome of the paternity test offered, what disciplinary actions will be taken...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----and what structures may need to be put in place to examine whether an inappropriate bias has crept into RTE's treatment of-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The public service broadcaster has rightly named and shamed people in the past, in particular where they have failed to exercise their responsibility. It is not sufficient for people who have done wrong-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----and taken inappropriate decisions to hide behind an institution. That is what is going on here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The public service broadcaster has rightly named names in the past and it needs to come forward to explain precisely how the most damaging and humiliating allegation-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----came to be made in circumstances where a person had offered it the means to establish-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----whether the allegation was true or false.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I refer to the seriousness of this issue. If one is accused of the most serious thing imaginable, one should be given every opportunity to protect one's name.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, this is a completely unacceptable ruling for the following reason. Making a ruling like that simply means that all any party to a dispute needs to do is to prolong a court dispute so as to prevent the Houses of the Oireachtas commenting on facts that are in the public domain. That is quite probably either as-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: It is advice.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: So many times in the past the problem has been-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----that people have been too differential to legal advice.