Results 581-600 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I join in the welcome to the Palestinian ambassador to the House. I compliment Senator Power on her motion. I, like every Member of the House, want to see an end to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Our Government will continue to do everything possible at an international level to help to achieve that. In light of the fact that our economy is beginning to improve very quickly, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: We will have it ready for the Senator by February.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I strongly support Senator D'Arcy in his call for a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, on new penalties and sanctions for those involved in cattle rustling. This activity is a new low in criminality. A pattern appears to be emerging in this regard. The stealing of cattle, sheep and other livestock would not be happening unless there was an outlet for them...

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to the House and compliment her on the progress she is making since taking office in reforming our justice system. I compliment Senator Martin Conway on bringing forward this motion, given the new scenario that arises as a result of the restructuring of local government. As we know, the number of JPCs will reduce from 114 to 31. The JPCs have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I am surprised that Senator Cullinane has not welcomed the higher rate of USC to be imposed on higher earners.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: He has always asked us to ensure that higher earners pay more. That is what we did in this budget. The budget is prudent and responsible and is designed to help low and middle-income families, with an emphasis on returning people to work. I welcome the €1.1 billion to be spent on employment supports in 2015. Currently, 1.92 million people are at work, an increase of 80,000 since...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the new sports capital funding for 2015. The 2014 programme has been successful and many communities will benefit significantly from the investment in projects.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to the House. As the Minister, Deputy Noonan, stated in his Budget Statement, the economy is recovering and the country is moving in the right direction. On budget day, it is appropriate to acknowledge the contribution and pivotal role played by the Ministers, Deputies Noonan and Howlin, in rescuing the country from economic ruin within three...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I join in the words of congratulations and welcome extended to Senator Craughwell, our new Senator. His election is a cumulation of a hectic few weeks. I also welcome his wife and son to the Chamber today. He is another man with Galway connections so there is no doubt he will be a strong advocate for the west and also a very strong advocate for education and investment in education. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the fact that €150 million will be invested by the European Investment Bank in social housing in the State between now and 2017. While the building of 2,400 units is certainly to be welcomed, I hope the Government in the forthcoming budget ensures further significant investment in social housing also takes place. Yesterday, the HSE published a report entitled Community...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Waste Management (8 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I ask those in the Visitors Gallery to be quiet, please. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: That is not what I mean. What I mean is that the number of visitors would increase significantly such that the level of subsidy would reduce. I very much welcome the investment of €22 million in various national commemorative projects in 2015. I particularly welcome the moneys being invested in Teach an Phiarsaigh in Ros Muc, as I am sure does Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh....

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: In conclusion, I wish the Minister well. She has set out a clear vision for where she intends to take the Department in the next 18 months and I have no doubt that she will have the support of every Member of the House.

Seanad: Arts and Culture Sector: Motion (8 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I join in the welcome and good wishes extended to the Minister. I thank Fianna Fáil for tabling the motion. There might have been an element of mischief making, as some people have indicated, but it has given an opportunity for many people who are deeply involved in the arts, for many decades, to outline their vision for the arts and the importance of the arts. The Minister, in her...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I strongly agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Conway regarding customer service. Every successful business guru would say the key to the success of any business operation is good customer service. Every small business in the country knows it must look after its customers if it is to survive. Yet when any of us try to interact with some of the main service providers in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I would like that discussion to take place at some stage after the budget. The hospitality sector is making a very strong case for the retention of the 9% rate, which I support, but I want to ensure we are getting the return from the sector to match the commitment made by Government.

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: Second Stage (7 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: Therefore, people are Inevitably driven to parking in unauthorised places. I have no problem with them being clamped if they are likely to cause difficulty for ambulance access or an emergency. It is incumbent on the hospital authorities to ensure adequate parking facilities are available. In its 2012 report on alternatives to clamping, the joint committee recommended that self-enforcing...

Seanad: Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014: Second Stage (7 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister to the House and the commencement of this Bill in Seanad Éireann. Very often we can be the forgotten House, so it is great to see the Bill commencing here. It is honouring another commitment in the programme for Government, which was also in the Fine Gael manifesto prior to the last general election. That is to be welcomed. The Bill comes from a lengthy period...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: In light of the fine contribution made this morning by Senator O'Donnell on the banking situation - few people in this House would disagree with her - it would be highly appropriate to have a major debate in this House on the banking system, post-bailout. We should also include in such a debate the new mortgage limits announced this morning. It would be timely and appropriate to have that...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (2 Oct 2014)

Michael Mullins: The issue is a dead horse.