Results 7,241-7,260 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Lisbon Treaty: Statements (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Government for facilitating the debate. As somebody who voted "No" it gave me no pleasure to oppose people for whom I have the highest esteem. I acknowledge the patriotism, good sense and honest toil of politicians and officials who have worked at EU level over many years, especially in the context of the Lisbon treaty. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: In that event, I will defer my remarks until later. I wish to support what Senator Cassidy said but I will not comment further at this point.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Having listened to the various contributions, I am disappointed the Minister of State will not be accepting my amendment. I am particularly disappointed that he will not be accepting amendment No. 35 in the name of Senator O'Reilly. I listened with interest to the comments of Senator Alex White, who appears to be concerned with regard to provisions in legislation being either too...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Yes, that matter will be the subject of discussion in respect of another amendment. To return to Senator O'Reilly's amendment, if we apply the logic of what the Government has done in respect of junk food, why should we not provide that a broadcasting code relating to the advertisement of alcohol should be drawn up? In addition, why should we not provide that, in the absence of such a code,...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: My understanding is there is no limit to the time which can be spent in discussing matters on Committee Stage. It is not my intention to go on at length. We are taking five or six items together.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It is important we thrash out the issues in full.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It is important as this has arisen before. I will not fight with the Acting Chairman over technicalities. On Second Stage, the time in which one can speak is quite limited and one may speak to the general provisions. On Committee Stage it is important the issues would be thrashed out in full.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I have been speaking to those amendments.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: In so far as I made general philosophical points about the Irish language, they are relevant because the issue is whether the Government, in its legislation, is going to take as seriously the rights of Irish speakers as it does those English speakers. It is important to reason by analogy, and it is important to speak about issues such as road signs in Irish precisely because what we are...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: The only opportunity we get to do so is on Committee Stage. I ask the indulgence of the Acting Chairman in the matter.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I will be here in July. I am not planning any travel throughout that month and I am available to serve my country. I am sure my colleagues are as well.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I will draw the line at August.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: No, although I may bring it forward on Report Stage, with the consent of the House.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I move amendment No. 33: In page 44, subsection (2), lines 15 to 23, to delete paragraphs (a) and (b) and substitute the following: "(a) that all news broadcast by a broadcaster is reported and presented in a balanced, objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the broadcaster's own views, (b) that the broadcast treatment of current affairs, including matters which are...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I understand from what the Minister of State said that he regards the import of what I proposed in amendment No. 42 to section 48 has already been covered elsewhere. However, I am not satisfied that is the case. I ask the Minister of State to reconsider it. I spoke on a previous occasion on this Bill about instances where there had not been an appropriate level of fairness and balance,...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: She still did not get through.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach himself asked that the word be withdrawn.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Senator Regan may be going to call for a "No" vote.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jun 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I can show the letter to the Minister.