Results 6,981-7,000 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

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

Rónán Mullen: We must recognise there is a crisis of perception in so far as politics is concerned. While I am the first to criticise the media for sensationalism, we should not make that opportunity available to it. Yesterday, I was in these precincts working and I would have liked the Seanad to sit. People may well go on an outing from time to time, but that is not a reason to suspend the business of...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (6 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Ba bhreá liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. Tréaslaím leis mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Quinn, as ucht an cheist seo a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid inniu. Is ábhar fíor-thábhachtach é cheist an fhuinnimh. Tá an tábhacht a bhaineann le bheith neamhspleách i gcúrsaí fuinnimh fite fuaite le cheist cosaint na timpeallachta. Mar sin, tréaslaím leis an Seanadóir....

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: What about Senator Alex White? Does the Senator not think he will do well?

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Without mentioning politicians' names, I wish to be associated with the congratulations extended to all those within this House and outside it who will put themselves before the electorate in June.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I simply make the point that for people to abandon one way of life in pursuit of politics at a time of crisis such as this is a vote of confidence in the political process. That is to be commended without taking sides.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I note the proposed amendments to the Order of Business. I agree we should have a debate on issues relating to the Health Service Executive. I heard the rather bizarre exchange - it was not so much an exchange as a series of successive interviews - concerning the dispute between the HSE and the Ombudsman for Children. I do not understand what is at issue here. However, if we are to have a...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Rónán Mullen: My point is simply that before speaking we should all commit ourselves to doing a little more research.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Like many others, I too woke up to the latest round of depressing news about the economy in the ESRI report. I note Senator John Hanafin's point that we have been here before to a considerable extent. At a time like this, it is inevitable Opposition will oppose and Government will defend. What is becoming ever clearer is that we are facing a serious test of our national character, a test...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. Tá sé deacair, ar bhealach, labhairt faoin cáinfhaisnéis seo. Bhí am ann nuair a bhféadadh daoine breathnú ar cibé rudaí a bhí sa cháinfhaisnéis agus iad a mholadh nó a cháineadh de réir mar a d'fheileadh. Ar an ócáid áirithe seo áfach, glacann muid uilig go raibh cinntí deacra le déanamh ag an...

Seanad: Elder Abuse: Statements (8 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am grateful that this very timely debate has been organised. Nuair atáimid ag caint faoi luacha inár sochaí, is minic a deirimid gurb í an chaoi ina gcaithfimid leis na daoine is lú a bhfuil cumhacht acu an slat tomhais maidir le caighdeán ár sibhialtachta. Agus muid ag breathnú ar ár sochaí, measaim go gcaithfimid súil a choimeád...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I agree with Senator Hannigan in respect of the reduction in the overseas aid budget. I spoke to a number of representatives from Dóchas recently and, like many people, they accepted that the budget would cause pain and were realistic that certain cuts would have to be made. Like many others in the aid sector, however, they will be horrified with regard to the extent of the cuts that have...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Fairness is certainly the word of the day. Our hope today is that the provisions of the budget will be fair and that the cuts and the increases in tax are made in such a way that those who can most afford it will pay. Tá géarghá go ndéanfaimid cinnte nach iad siúd is laige in ár sochaí a bheidh thíos leis an cháinfaisnéis inniu. I agree with what Senator Daly said about cystic...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Sincere democrats wish to have issues fully debated. Sometimes there will be a referendum in which 99% are on the one side and it may seem odd that equal time should be given to the other, but the reason is that we are letting the people decide. Sincere democrats should not lose sight of this principle.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for a debate on the need to advance the promised isolation facilities for cystic fibrosis patients. No area of public expenditure is more important than the provision of such facilities. It is shocking to think that people in another part of this island might have better outcomes because we have not made the necessary investment here. The Irish Hospice...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I was glad Senator Bradford made his point on Eircom in the debate on the Government's motion last night. There is a connection because there are approximately 12,000 homes and businesses that will not be covered by the national broadband scheme. One difficulty regarding the provision of broadband is the failure of Eircom to maintain exchanges. There is a debate to be had on how Eircom was...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: That is reported in The Irish Times, a kind of dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: The NUI Galway Dublin Alumni Group held an excellent, stimulating and in many ways very troubling presentation last night on the current economic crisis. The presentation was by Mr. Declan Kelly, executive vice president of FTI, whose brother is a Member of this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is worth noting in the context of the debate we have been having on the proposed day of industrial action and the role of the social partners that Mr. Kelly left his audience in no doubt about the gravity of the circumstances we face. He stressed the need to deal with toxic debt and for regulation, and also the need for people to have self-belief at this very important time. It is very...

Seanad: Telecommunications Services: Motion (25 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister. Like Senator Quinn, I express my appreciation of the Minister's optimism and vision and I welcome a number of the points he raised. In particular, the Minister stressed the importance of business and indicated that he envisions a future in which we will take both a co-operative and a competitive approach. He stated that he does not see these two coming into conflict...