Results 7,081-7,100 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I also wonder at the proposal to have a Cathaoirleach who is automatically re-elected. It makes much sense in the context of the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, who is unable to undertake the normal day-to-day constituency work that is a particular feature of Dáil Members' work. However, given the role of the Seanad, the idea that the Cathaoirleach would be re-elected automatically does not...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: The lesson of the past ten to 15 years is that we need more parliamentary scrutiny, not less.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: However, to avoid eating into the time of my colleague, Senator Ross, I will conclude on this point. As we seek to reform how the Seanad is elected, we must also reform the work we do here. This is vital in terms of addressing the weak parliamentary system in this State which is militating against proper scrutiny by elected representatives of legislation and Government policy.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Or at lunchtime on a Thursday.

Seanad: Irish Language: Statements (11 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus ba bhreá liom a rá go bhfuilim an sásta go bhfuil an deis seo againn an Ghaeilge agus cúrsaí Gaeilge a phlé sa Seanad go háirithe i gcomhthéacs Seachtain na Gaeilge a bheith tagtha. Is dócha go bhféadfaí a rá faoin nGaeilge go bhfuil ana chuid daoine sa tír ní hamháin buíochas le Dia go bhfuil go leor daoine go bhfuil Gaeilge líofa agus...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I join in the sentiments expressed by my colleagues in condemning the outrages of the past few days in Northern Ireland. We have often had debates about terrorism and the need to understand its causes, while never condoning the acts of terrorists. In truth, it is very difficult to have that debate in this context. It is impossible to understand that after all the painstaking work of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: He made one challenging and somewhat provoking observation when he suggested — as this report also suggests — that cutting class size will not necessary benefit students. That is something to which the Irish National Teachers Organisation is profoundly opposed. While not denying that this is a provoking statement, it is something we need to reflect on and we need to have this debate....

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Without prejudging that issue, I call for such a debate in the context of a debate on education.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I thank my colleagues for their courtesy in their responses. I recognise that the position I advocate in the current climate is not the position that enjoys majority support in the media. It tends to be the view that is considered not to be politically correct. In a society where people who have a traditionalist world view presume to speak there can sometimes be a tendency to be intolerant...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: There is no time limit.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Healy Eames and I will have a glass of milk about it in the Dáil bar later and make up in due course.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Whose saucer?

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Fitzgerald said she did not believe we would quote any study that shows what works best for children. There might have been an unconscious glibness about what I had to say about surveys and statistics. While surveys clearly help to determine what assessment people have reached on an issue, they do not prove whether they are right or wrong in that assessment of a situation at a given...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: The Senator referred to Professor Susan Golombok. Will we be so mindless as to ignore statistics? Surely we must factor them into the debate and consider the evidence. As to different types of family form and outcomes for children, other countries, including Britain and the United States, tend to be far ahead of us. I am concerned that, as a small community, Irish academia may be...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: My contribution is relevant to the points made in response to my earlier contribution and I have not strayed from those points. I am trying to bring about circumstances in which respect as distinct from mere lip service is shown to different points of view. Senators Bacik and Norris are correct that there is a degree of unenforceability about a child's right to his or her biological...

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, I did not say that.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I call on Senator Norris to withdraw that remark.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I will place on record the precise circumstances of the conversation.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I, too, am happy to place on record the details of the conversation. I call on Senator Norris to withdraw the untruthful version of events he provided.

Seanad: (4 Mar 2009)

Rónán Mullen: I am sorry, but I must respond to what Senator Norris has put on the record. The Senator was being rather uncharitable about certain people whose traditions and views——