Results 6,841-6,860 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I compliment the Fine Gael Members on their unity so far on the Order of Business regarding this proposal. The original and much more sophisticated proposals from the Fine Gael leader last March about reform of the Seanad were something about which we could have usefully had a discussion.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Enhancing the powers of the Seanad was an issue about which we could have had a useful discussion. We must save €4,000 million by Christmas. If it is so important that we make this saving of €150 million, why is the Fine Gael leader not undertaking to publish this proposal in this session and to put the challenge to the Government? To talk about saving €150 million in seven years'...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I was delighted to hear Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's comments this morning about promoting genuine pluralism. The British Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, is on record as being against-----

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: -----the disestablishment of the Church of England because minority faiths also benefit. The same is true here. Generosity should be shown to minority faiths-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I call for a debate on how we will prioritise cuts. I am sure I am like most Members in that I have met many groups which have asked for meetings because they are scared to death of what is proposed in the McCarthy report. I am embarrassed to say to them that the Seanad has not even discussed the report. Will the Leader organise a rolling debate on it because many good organisations are...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (7 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire don dara uair inniu. Tagann sé as mo pharóiste féin. Cé nach bhfuil sé iargúlta, tá sé cinnte go bhfuil sé faoin tuath. I strongly support the thrust of the motion and congratulate the Senators who tabled it. I endorse any sensible motion which seeks to support rural Ireland in these troubled times. The past year has been one of the toughest in...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom tosnú le fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. Bille tábhachtach atá sa Bhille seo. Cuirim fáilte roimhe agus roimh an cuid is mó de a bhfuil ann. Measaim go ndéanfaidh sé maitheas. Bhí an ceart ag mo chomhleacaithe a dúirt go bhfuil sé ró-dhéanach ar bhealach, mar go bhfuil an-chuid dochar déanta cheana féin maidir le cúrsaí pleanála. Bhí mé an-tógtha le...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Events have moved quickly in regard to the resignation of the Ceann Comhairle. I suppose it was inevitable when one considers the wave of public anger and also the unreasonable nature of some of the expenditure. I am concerned that the debate was led largely from the outside by the media, with politicians and political party leaders reduced to the role of vying for the job of dealing the...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, in such circumstances should Members not have a manual vote? The place where my colleague should vote does not appear to be clear.

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I very much regret the incident that took place with Senator Harris some moments ago. Whereas I am sometimes at the receiving end of your gavel, a Chathaoirligh, I believe you are entitled to have your response heard out. There is no doubt that the one issue being discussed is that of the Ceann Comhairle's expenses. I would like a Seanad debate on the issue of our expenses as public...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I was relieved to hear from Senator MacSharry that the Cabinet is all singing from the same hymn sheet, although there is some evidence that some of them are out of tune.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I heard Deputy Brendan Howlin on the radio this morning talking about the children's rights amendment. I am not opposed to a children's rights amendment. Anything that strengthens the position of children in our Constitution would be welcome. The matter needs to be debated, however. It needs to be made clear that the Constitution currently guarantees the personal rights of the child....

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am sure colleagues will join me in expressing our sympathy to former MEP Kathy Sinnott and her family on the tragic death of her son, Kevin, in America. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: We should have a debate soon on the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission on bioethics, specifically the issue of advanced care directives. There is much to welcome in the report of the commission. However, as with many such reports, it is important we do not see it as an automatic template that we follow slavishly in legislation, but that we have a full and searching debate on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I will conclude that the Seanad election system is considerably more progressive.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: In requesting such a debate, I am conscious that a time limit does not apply to business today.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: That individual indicated that there is a certain irony in the EU providing the freedom to work and live in its different member states, yet Ireland will not grant the means to vote for those of us who may be out of the country on polling day. Can we have a debate on the need to change that position soon? On a final point, I compliment and wish well my colleague, Senator Bacik. In moving to...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am not sure if she has won or lost that wrestling match.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Neither Senator O'Toole nor myself-----