Results 6,941-6,960 of 7,642 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Unemployment: Motion (1 Jul 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tacaím go mór leis an rún seo ón gComhaontas Glas mar a thacóinn le h-aon rún agus laghdú sa ráta dífhostaíochta mar aidhm dó. It is very easy to say, and we hear many people saying, that the Government is not doing enough to slow and reverse the increases in the rate of unemployment. Regardless of whether it is doing enough, it is clear the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I know not everybody can be congratulated in the House, but special circumstances apply with regard to the excellent contribution made by John Bowman over the years on "Questions and Answers". I am sure other Members will agree that he distinguished himself in his chairmanship of that programme at a time when many in these Houses feel the broadcast media is not always as impartial or...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: -----the real advantage for children in the family based on marriage between a man and a woman, which is statistically supported. I would like to see changes to this legislation and hope there will be a full and courteous debate on the issue. I intend to propose changes so that any protections to be enjoyed will be enjoyed equally by people in caring, dependent relationships-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I simply hope we will be able to have amendments that will provide that any benefits to be enjoyed by unmarried couples will be enjoyed by people in caring, dependent relationships of any kind.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I agree with Senators Bacik, Mary White and others on the prisons issue. I have been saying for a long time that we must think smarter on how we operate our prison system and what our priorities should be. Unless we take seriously the need to rehabilitate offenders rather than punish or deter, we will store up problems for ourselves in future.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I agree with Senator Bacik about the need to promote alternatives to custodial sentences, in particular for non-violent offenders. We should have a debate on such matters here soon. Does the Deputy Leader agree that we are very good in this country at being part of the herd mentality and going along with issues when we should object to them and when it is too late, some of us play the blame...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: People are now playing the blame game.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: There were honourable exceptions.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am not satisfied that there was a clear distinction in what was being proposed among the different parties in the House. We have seen such behaviour with regard to the Ryan report as well because we only hear the voices of objection when it is too late. Senator Quinn spoke this morning about groceries and retailing; unless the entire community becomes more discerning, it will be too late...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is like somebody who has been convicted of a serious drink-driving offence saying-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: -----that we need to ease the penalties for drink driving.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: We should acknowledge the comment as being outrageous.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: That is the worst offence of all.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: The Green Party is in a good position to lobby.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Boyle may not have bragging rights but he has nagging rights.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Mac Cárthaigh. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Dúirt Samuel Johnson ní hamháin go mbronann talmhaíocht saibhreas ar thír, ach gurb í an talmhaíocht an t-aon saibhreas amháin gur leis an tír í, chun an fhírinne a rá. Bíonn daoine ag gearán agus ag déanamh neamh-aird ar thábhacht na talmhaíochta d'eacnamaíocht na tíre seo. Níl...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is not that I am special but I tabled the amendment and this is a procedural matter, as I am sure Senator Twomey knows. I am disappointed that the Minister of State has not accepted my amendments. I listened carefully to her response. This amendment does not seek to limit the ability of the board to access records. It merely seeks to postpone it by providing that in the first instance...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome what the Minister of State is seeking to do in regard to this amendment. It is certainly a sign of her openness, which she has shown on at least two other occasions today, to take on board specific, constructive suggestions, albeit in fairly technical matters. We would certainly have liked more of those suggestions to have been taken on board but I do not want to take from my...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I will start on a positive note by welcoming the Minister of State's amendment. I may be jumping ahead slightly but it is relevant to what we are discussing. It follows from a request I made last week and I thank the Minister of State for following through on her commitment in that regard. That was essentially to move from the singular to the plural in dealing with the assessment issue. I...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (24 Jun 2009)

Rónán Mullen: While I do not fault the Minister of State, there is an absence of good faith on the Government's part and, therefore, to call it a fair deal is something of a euphemism. It is a fair deal given what is available to people, but it is not a fair deal compared to their entitlements. That is why we are concerned about a situation where four fifths of a person's income is to be taken in payment...