Results 6,961-6,980 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: -----course of business, which was organised some time ago to discuss the work that needs to be done to assist victims of human trafficking. The person concerned is giving of their own resources to help people because of the flimsy contribution they are getting from the State. Let us keep our sanity in all of this, even while we ask the hard questions of the religious orders and others.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the thoughtful contribution made my Senator Harris. I also echo Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on Mr. Justice Seán Ryan's report, repeating the call I made yesterday. As a practising Catholic I feel sorrow and shame because some of those who officially represented the values of the gospel in which I believe failed to live that gospel in the way they treated children and in...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I strongly support the comments of Senator Fitzgerald and others about the ongoing abuse of children in our society. I would like to have a debate soon on the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which will bring up some scarifying issues that will reflect badly on how decisions were made in our society and specifically on the failure of those in authority in residential...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is time we made decisions for ourselves in this country.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: The Minister of Sate is being damned by faint praise.

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom i dtosach báire fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Is minic a deirtear faoi saol na parlaiminte gur rud fíor-thábhachtach é go mbeadh daoine ann le scileanna agus taithí difriúla ar gnéithe den tsaoil. Is cinnte gur maith an rud é go bhfuil duine ar nós an Aire Stáit freagrach as an réimse seo, mar níl aon amhras nach amháin go bhfuil an suim aige ins an ábhar...

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: For those who do not know it, WWOOF means either "willing workers on organic farms" or "worldwide opportunities on organic farms". This is an organisation-----

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: No, and as I said I am not barking mad bringing it up, because there is a very good-----

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am delighted to hear it. So too was Mr. McArdle of Irish Farmers' Markets. The Minister of State will know, therefore, that WWOOF is a worldwide network which started in the UK in 1971 and has still become an international movement that helps people share more sustainable ways of living. People will work on farms, free gratis; the payment is not monetary, but of course there are many...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. While I have great respect for the Minister of State, the wording of the Government motion is of a political language that brings politics into disrepute. I say that because the motion only tells half the truth about the OECD statement. It does not acknowledge that the Government has been urged to refrain from further budgetary action that...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Does that line not betray that we do not really see international overseas aid as a priority? We do not consider looking after those people in the same way as we look after our own, which is not in the best traditions of Ireland, our missionaries and our NGOs. I am none the wiser either about where the proposed cuts will take place. I read a suggestion from the Minister in The Sunday...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 3: To add after "aid programme": notes that the OECD/DAC also said: 'the challenge for the Government is to reach these targets despite severe economic downturn and increased budgetary pressure'. That DAC also urged the Government 'to refrain from further budgetary action that would undermine this commitment'; notes the recent concession by Minister of State for overseas...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I agree in general with Senator Fitzgerald that as a matter of principle it is important Ministers make announcements to the Oireachtas and not first to the media, although I take on board what Senator Norris added to her comment. Undoubtedly what Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole and others have said about the Seanad being under scrutiny is quite right. We operate in a weak parliamentary system...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I support my colleague Senator Norris on this point. It is far too easy to rule amendments out of order for reasons that do not stand up. I do not blame the Minister of State for not being in a position to explain it, but this follows on from an earlier discussion we had about the perceived relevance of the Seanad. If rulings are to be made that certain amendments are not to be discussed...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Can the Cathaoirleach reverse this decision? Is it in the power of the Cathaoirleach under Standing Orders to change his mind at this point and allow the amendment to be discussed?

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (19 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I asked for a debate on overseas aid and proposed cuts yesterday. I was not present for the Leader's reply but I gather there will be a debate. I draw the attention of the House to a report that Ireland will almost certainly miss its commitment to spend 0.6% of national income on overseas aid by 2010. Our target was to contribute 0.7% of gross national product to overseas aid by 2012 and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: What about in tough times?

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir Doherty as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom. I compliment the Labour Party on tabling this motion. I agree with speakers who said there was no need to table an amending motion. There is nothing contentious in the motion, nor is there an attempt to play the blame game. We should have approached this on a cross-party basis. Jokes are...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: When the Kerry football team was on the rampage in the 1980s, my father used to say one had to be twice as good as them to beat them. To those politicians who feel the media is reaching for the low-hanging journalistic fruit in sensationalising the fact the Seanad did not sit yesterday, the answer is the media should not be given that opportunity.