Results 6,501-6,520 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Members will be aware that last Sunday in Chicago was called "Natasha's day". This relates to an Irish student who was badly injured when she was attacked in Chicago. Thanks are due to the people of Chicago who raised $250,000 to assist Natasha McShane. It is good to hear that she is now walking with assistance, is starting to use her arms and has begun to talk again. We wish her all the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Will a Minister attend the debate?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I was not giving any Member a lecture.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I spoke about criminalising the users of prostitution.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: We can work together on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: There are others of us who may contribute later.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: It is appropriate for the House to express our sympathy to the relatives and loved ones of all those killed in Cumbria yesterday. It was a horrifying turn of events. I take a slightly different tack from Senator Fitzgerald on the expenses issue, but I am concerned about the confusion that seems to be descending all over the place. Perhaps next week the Cathaoirleach might make a statement...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: We certainly need to touch the conscience of male Members also-----

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: -----but women in politics can be especially vocal and credible on the issue. There is no reason we cannot make progress on it, if people are willing to face up to the harsh and unpleasant facts of what is happening in the sex industry.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the fact that Senator Callely is to make a statement, to which I am sure we will all listen with care and courtesy. I also welcome Senator Twomey and others raising the need for an umbilical cord blood bank. I know Senator Quinn is also interested in the issue. This proposal made by Peadar Mac Gabhann as part of the campaign, Your Country Your Call, deserves careful scrutiny and...

Seanad: Adult Education: Motion (2 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister of State is greatly respected for his commitment to and championing of adult education, and I welcome him to the House. I fear, however, that his efforts have not always been as successful here as the porters would wish. Henry Ford once said that anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80.. It was true when he said it and it is even more true now. The nature of work...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 33: In page 14, line 43, to delete "apportioned between unit owners" and substitute the following: "and proportionately allotted between unit owners, with due consideration given to type and size of unit owned.". This amendment seeks to amend section 15(11), which currently provides that "The annual service charge shall be calculated on a transparent basis and shall be...

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister for his response, although I confess it disappoints me to some extent. I refer to two issues raised by the Minister. He mentioned that this concern had not been raised by any of the representative bodies. I presume this is further testimony of the quality of the Seanad in that we have a certain ability to think through proposals on their own merits. That in itself is...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I add my voice to the measured expressions of concern about the expenses issue. In particular, I compliment Senator O'Toole on his informed assessment of the matter. There is a need for voices from this House to be heard. None of us likes doing that and it is always difficult when one knows and likes those involved. As we have seen so many times in society, however, problems can also...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

Rónán Mullen: We could have a sitting of the Seanad there.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 May 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Listening to various interesting contributions which have been made today, one wonders if the wheels of government and administration are coming off or are grinding to a halt. We hear the Minister of State with responsibility for children is apparently at loggerheads with the HSE about accessing information on children who have died in care. What is coming across very strongly in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Like many Members, I am fan of the notion that coverage of major sports fixtures, including rugby games, should be available free to air. We all recognise the force for social cohesion that is sport. The achievements of our teams in rugby in recent years have provided happy news at a time when we have been badly in need of it. However, I also take seriously the IRFU's claims that if it was...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Rónán Mullen: I would like a debate on the specific issue of mandatory reporting because such a debate is needed. I did not hear a logical argument from the Minister of State yesterday; instead I heard invective when his logic was challenged. We need to ask whether mandatory reporting could be part of the solution to our problem. Where a person knows a criminal act has taken place or is likely to take...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I welcome the Minister of State, for whom I feel great sympathy, as this is a very difficult brief. I do not doubt his bona fides and desire to do his utmost to make sure children are protected in society. The sympathy I feel for him personally is combined with a sense of asperity about the continuing failure of the State and State agencies to do the...