Results 7,041-7,060 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I expect I am not.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I concur with Senator Healy Eames in regard to the horror of bullying in schools. I declare an interest in that I sit on the boards of approximately 120 secondary schools in this country through the CEIST network. I would wish the school which Senator Healy Eames and I attended and any other school with which I am involved to be cold houses for bullies, regardless of whether their bullying...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I would prefer not to be guided in that regard in circumstances where a time limit is not imposed. We all have our faults and perhaps mine is that I am somewhat repetitive.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I suggest that I have done no more than respond to the points made against me. I have now addressed these points and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will not have to suffer any further repetition.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: And also with you.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: They can apply.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is not a right.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I think it is still there.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It needs to be tweaked.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: The Senator should not criticise my grammar.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Junk food.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I have sympathy with both sides of this argument. There is an echo of a previous debate here because we are speaking in this regard of the importance of a father in a child's life. I know we are operating within a particular constitutional architecture and as such the Minister of State will be so guided. I sympathise with some of the concerns raised by Senators Bacik and Healy Eames....

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Is it necessary to make these sections more harmonious? Is there a danger that one will operate against the other in certain circumstances? We need to consider these issues, with deference to Senator Bacik's legitimate concerns and to the fact the Minister of State will have taken careful advice on where stands the Constitution. While it is extremely undesirable that somebody guilty of...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I acknowledge that Senator Bacik may have scrutinised this more carefully than I have. Section 17 states that the "accredited body...shall request the Authority to provide it with a copy of any notice received by the Authority from the father".

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I accept that. The consultation requirement is in section 17(2).

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It never gives me satisfaction to visit this issue because it is deeply personal for many. I recognise Senator Norris's particular knowledge of the issue and his attachment to his views which many support. I disagree with these proposed amendments. This is a sensitive, personal issue. I have friends who are homosexual who do not agree with my views on this issue and there are those who do...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Indeed.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: It is very hard to have this debate because, despite the many welcome advances we have made in our ability to discuss a range of issues openly, people on both sides of the argument, particularly those with a traditional view such as mine, can easily and quickly feel demonised. They sometimes feel bullied into not expressing their views. I would like for people never to abandon values of...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Before the break I made the point on these amendments that we should not look at people's views on this matter on the basis that they are likely to be sectarian or religious if they come from a traditionalist position. People of different religious views will be on both sides of this argument and there are people who would be concerned about allowing same-sex adoption for reasons that have...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I thank Senator Leyden for his illuminating comments. There has been much talk today about standards and transparency. My colleague, Senator Alex White, raised the report of Transparency International. I am very happy to put my signature to Senator Norris's notion——