Results 6,261-6,280 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

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

Rónán Mullen: I have no desire to level upwards or downwards any relationship. My concern is that the institution of marriage is entitled to particular social protection and should have been kept as a separate case. It was hurt by tax individualisation and by making other relationships equivalent to it.

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

Rónán Mullen: This is the budget in which carers have been forgotten. I have previously outlined an example of a carer who lives in the same house as the person for whom he or she cares. The fact that they are not romantically involved does not make them any less caring or mutually dependent. The Minister should ensure they are not disadvantaged compared to a couple who come within the State's...

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

Rónán Mullen: I am aware of what carers receive.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Fitzgerald made the point that it was only when the bankers' bonuses came into the public arena that action was taken. We could apply that comment to the issue covered by last night's "Prime Time Investigates" programme. When will the public and the Department of Health and Children start to prioritise the care of older persons? The Minister must come to the House at the earliest...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: He lost the battle with the publicans.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Although we sometimes deservedly criticise Green Party members for being a little flaky in many ways, will the Leader pass on to Senator Ó Brolcháin my compliments and great admiration for the way he stuck to his guns on the issue of animal welfare? Concern for animals does us credit as a society and it in no way suggests we have our priorities wrong when, in addition to being concerned...

Seanad: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stait. I am especially pleased the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, is here given the topic I have raised relates to mental health. This matter relates to the need to confirm that the mental health budget will be spared in the proposed cuts to the health budget and, in particular, that the specialist rehabilitation teams envisaged under A Vision for Change and...

Seanad: Mental Health Services (8 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome the extra €1 million in funding for the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Will the Minister of State urge HSE management not to subsume rehabilitation and recovery teams into other general mental health teams?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Most of us find ourselves giving reluctant support to the budget, despite the lack of credibility in the Government's projections for growth on which the four year plan is predicated, and despite the apparent political opportunism which continues to bedevil decision making. Everybody is happy to see that there were no cuts in the State pension, but when we see that there were cuts for people...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: -----instead of the shamelessly self-serving opportunism that we are getting at the moment.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 3: In page 14, line 12, after "contravened" to insert the following: ", or in any action in damages of the kind specified in section 8A(1)". Section 3(7) of the Schedule provides that: "In proceedings under this Schedule before a rights commissioner or the Labour Court in relation to a complaint that section 8A(5) has been contravened, it shall be presumed, until the...

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am not in a position to put the issue any further. I wish he would accept the amendment but I must accept his response.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the progress of the Bill and look forward to seeing it enacted. While recognising the intent behind it is to meet our international commitments, we are, however, only scratching at the surface of what is required. I will not reiterate at length what I said earlier, namely, there is the possibility and ought to be an acknowledgement that there are general principles which apply to...

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: That is not the point I was making.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Transparency International has pointed out-----

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I took the trouble to------

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Senator is intent on disagreeing with the amendments and did not listen to what I said.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Transparency International wants another test to be applied.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I wish to clarify two points. In the context of what Senator Bacik stated, I am not proposing that we remove the test relating to recklessness. I am, however, proposing that the test relating to knowledge and recklessness be confined to the issue of falsity. Senator Norris's contribution was both entertaining and dramatic. However, he fails to comprehend the import of what I am saying...

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for his response, which I note is also in good faith. We have a civil disagreement here about the overall impact this Bill would have. The House is in danger of forgetting the psychological context in which whistleblowing must take place and the environment we need to create. We are coming from behind here. Let us remember what there has been in this country on issues...