Results 7,061-7,080 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

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

Rónán Mullen: I mean Senator Norris's motion on this matter. I am interested to hear people giving out about standards in the media. Senator Alex White said there is an extraordinary amount of opinion to be heard these days in the media. That phenomenon goes back to when Senator Alex White was a producer in the media. The danger with politicians is that we start giving out about the media only when...

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

Rónán Mullen: Yes, I would like a debate, thank you for reminding me, because it badly needs to be discussed. In promoting standards we must be consistent if we are to have any credibility with the public. I support the comments and findings of Transparency International. The issue of patronage will always be there in society and there will always be a degree of that in politics. I was in Italy recently...

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

Rónán Mullen: We have to honestly examine our expenses. Transparency Ireland mentions politicians' unvouched expenses. If we are to have any credibility we need a fair and honest discussion on that issue. In today's edition of The Irish Times there is a report on Oireachtas committees. Leaving aside people's salaries, with which we do not quibble, we are looking at over €2 million. Chairmen of...

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

Rónán Mullen: One good thing about the media is that people will pay attention to those issues and as we ask difficult questions of hard-pressed taxpayers in this country, we will be expected to lead by example. Good news was reported yesterday about a breakthrough in stem cell research. Members will know I had a Private Members' Bill prohibiting embryo-destructive research up for debate in this House in...

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

Rónán Mullen: With due respect, I am not the worst offender in this House.

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

Rónán Mullen: I respect that the Cathaoirleach has a job to do. The problem is that others get to gallop away to the races constantly and are barely interrupted. That makes it difficult. I conclude——

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

Rónán Mullen: ——by asking for a debate on that——

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

Rónán Mullen: ——and also encouraging people to buy U2's new album because the Dutch economy needs the money.

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

Rónán Mullen: There is plenty of time for us to speak today.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Leyden should be grateful for the support.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: A big fan of Brian Cowen as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Our ranks have been depleted this morning. As Senator Twomey said, it gives none of us any pleasure to walk past people picketing as we come in to do our jobs. As I said previously, if we are to deal with the serious challenges we face, then no matter how much sympathy we feel with those who believe the measures taken are disproportionate or unfair in some respects, the answer cannot be to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Yes. None of us who supports the traditional family will deny that, tragically and outrageously, there have been occasions when the traditional family has let people down. However, what we want to do is to promote what works best most of the time for the sake of the most vulnerable people in our society. We must not be afraid to depart from political correctness and fear of media or of...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I would like a debate on that. That is an example of a sensible cut we could make. We could stop giving money to people——

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: ——who are ideological rather than people who are thinking in terms of the public interest.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I read in this morning's newspaper that the constitutionality of a section of the Charities Bill has been called into question. The section provides that the sale of mass cards shall be unlawful unless an association with a recognised body — in this case the Catholic Church — can be shown. What happens from now on is a matter for the President and the Council of State but I wish to make...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: No props.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I wish to be associated with the words of tribute to the late Christopher Nolan, but I do not intend to link him with any of the current political controversy. When in secondary school I was very taken by his winning of the Whitbread award. Although I have not seen it in recent days, I remember a quotation of his when he said, "Accept me for what I am and I'll accept you for what you're...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Does the Leader agree the time has come when we must find an alternative to oppositional politics and we need our television to provide this service? There have been television programmes dramatising the possible effects of a nuclear catastrophe and it is time that we had serious, exceptional television to take people through the very grim realities that face us. This will help us as a...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I did not get to speak on the last day. They are correct to say that we need a rolling debate on the economy. While I acknowledge that Senator O'Toole and others feel a need to pay their union dues, so to speak——