Results 6,501-6,520 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister seemed to seek clarification. If I understand him correctly, he is asking if it is the intent of the amendments to detract from the protections against discrimination on the grounds of civil status under equal status legislation.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Clearly, this would be just a change of phraseology in that wherever there is a reference to civil status, there would be a reference to marital or civil status. That would apply to the proposed equality legislation also. In other words, the new prohibitive ground would be marital or civil status. There is a separate amendment which I hope the Minister has studied in great detail and to...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: There are two discrete issues. I hope the Minister will consider the amendment on its merits.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Correct.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: With the best will in the world, I do not think what the Minister suggests could be construed from the way the amendment and related amendments are worded. It could have no impact other than at the level of nomenclature, if that is the correct word to use. It is at that symbolic, cultural and messaging level the amendment would operate. The Minister has indicated he perceives a deficiency...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I do not know from where Senator McDonald got that idea.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister's question in that regard was not very logical.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister should stick to the words used and should not impute motivations.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: That was not contained in the paper. We can only refer to the words that were used.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 13: In page 21, line 11, to delete "civil status" and substitute "marital or civil status".

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: There is a lot of credibility in free voting.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Dáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Is that a statement of intent for the next election?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Uncle Joe has removed the Whip.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I also welcome the ladies from west Cork.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: We are honoured to have them in our presence and I hope we will have ladies and gentlemen from east Galway in the Gallery very soon. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that we take, before No. 1 on the Order of Business, No. 35, motion 16, in my name and those of Senators Quinn and Ross, which states: That Seanad Éireann affirms that each Senator should vote according...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: -----held about different parts of the Bill which were not reflected in amendments. Therefore, given the profound cultural and social significance of the Bill, the changes it will introduce and there are acute issues, in particular around people's freedom of conscience-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: My point does not concern the Bill, rather that it is a Bill which merits a free vote. It is important that the Seanad sends out a message that there has been such a stifling consensus today-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: -----that it is more like Zimbabwe than Holland. At least in Holland there would be a political party which would reflect the concerns that many people have had.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Rónán Mullen: In each party there are people with concerns and their voices have not been heard. On that basis I ask for support from both sides of the House for my amendment to the Order of Business that we would debate the need for a free vote.