Results 6,241-6,260 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The one aspect of the famous dinner at Druids Glen that I regret is the surreal nature of some of the debates around it. On the one hand, it is clear the Taoiseach is beleaguered. There seems to have been an embarrassment about even mentioning the name of Mr. Seán FitzPatrick which has led the Taoiseach into unnecessary trouble. I am inclined to think, however, that Mr. Gray's statement...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I will repeat my proposal from yesterday that we should have a cross-party international representation committee which would identify people who would travel on behalf of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: We should not confuse the issue. An election will come in due course. The duly elected Taoiseach, no matter how beleaguered he or she might be, is entitled to and has a duty to represent the country abroad. There are many other important places, not just the United States, where we ought to be represented on St. Patrick's Day. I am glad the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I proposed amending human trafficking legislation along the lines of the model used in Sweden which would criminalise the user of the person in prostitution. There was much cynicism and negativity towards my proposal when I raised it first. I am glad the Government is now taking it seriously. We need to make this country a cold-house for people who traffic persons. One positive way of...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The late P. G. Wodehouse would be delighted by the fact that golf is being discussed to such a degree on the Order of Business in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I have a number of questions for the Leader. Senator Quinn called for more positive attitudes in the Seanad and elsewhere in politics for this session. It contributes to the positivity when we are not under the same pressure to get the question out to the Leader. Would the Leader agree that St. Patrick's Day is an important day for Ireland each year-----

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----and while it may be an excellent idea that the President of Ireland would be present in a significant capital on that occasion, it is the one day of the year when we should not be quibbling about our Ministers going abroad and representing us, particularly at such a challenging time for the country? An idea we should examine, and I do not know if the Leader would agree, is putting...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: It is important that all parties recognise-----

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The rest of us are paying for it.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I am asking questions of the Leader and am very careful to do so. The distinction is indeed a fair one, but it points up the issue that politicians on all sides have feet of clay on this issue of access. This is something we ought to remember, and I think the Leader might agree with that. The Student Support Bill is ordered for today. One of the issues not directly dealt with in the Bill,...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: That is an issue we ought to debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I am disappointed to discover that the Labour Party does not see the merit in a student loan scheme provided students are not required to pay fees up-front.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: The Leader might agree that we must be aware that some people from lower socioeconomic sectors may be debt averse and must be cushioned from the risk of participation in third level education. It is good news that the legislative programme for this term includes, as Senator Feargal Quinn has pointed out to me, the Construction Contracts Bill. Does the Leader agree that Senator Quinn is to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: -----this will be the first time in 40 years that a Private Members' Bill from the Seanad will have been enacted. Does the Leader agree that if there had been more examples of such legislation and Government had supported more private legislation over the years, the Seanad might not be as low as it is in public esteem?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude by asking the Leader to communicate, through Senator Dan Boyle if necessary, with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, on the following. A number of months ago, the Minister took issue with a member of the Catholic hierarchy who communicated a viewpoint on the Civil Partnership Bill. Deputy Gormley said he thought the era of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Rónán Mullen: I am finishing, but this is important. I am asking the question of the Leader and I want an answer, via him, from the Minister. Why is it that Catholic Church leaders have no right to express a view on a political issue but a Church of Ireland leader is to be engaged with? Will the Leader ask the Minister if this is not an example of old-fashioned bigotry?

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Motion for Earlier Signature (16 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, could the Leader tell the House why we have had to face a guillotine again today?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I have raised the issue because it would be wrong to let the opportunity pass as if it was of no importance. The philosophical vacuity of the Government is on display in this regard. I welcome the changes being made in respect of the use of electronic certification. The Minister is a strong proponent of human dignity. In this regard, I welcome the reference to the need to respect and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá go leor sa Bhille seo a d'fhéadfainn fáilte a chur roimhe. Molaim an méid oibre atá ar siúl ag an Aire agus an cur chuige atá aige agus é ag dul i mbun oibre. There is much that is welcome in this Bill. The transfer of certain functions from FÁS to the care of the Minister and his office is welcome. I note and welcome the skills development and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010: Second Stage (15 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Bill introduces changes to facilitate the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010. We did not have an opportunity to address these changes in detail during the debate on the Act. That the debate was guillotined was regrettable and a low point in the life of this House. The Government had recourse to dishonesty in alleging there had been a...