Results 7,241-7,260 of 7,648 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Teaching Qualifications (10 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I thank the Minister of State for his response and for the indication that there will be an add-on programme available to people in autumn 2009. However, in light of the many similarities between the qualifications achieved by people prior to summer 2006 and the qualifications for which people now receive an allowance, will the Minister of State seek from the Minister an assurance that the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I am finding this intoxicating.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Committee Stage (10 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: On a point of order, I understand Senator Quinn's question is whether the fact that this has happened, regardless of the intention, renders void the Bill thereafter. I understand this is the point on which Senator Quinn seeks a ruling.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: There are no good news articles at the moment anyway.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I wish to share time with Senator Ross.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome the Minister to the House. In my view, the alcohol problem in Ireland is very much the result of supply side issues such as advertising. I will commence by addressing the issue of immoral promotions to drive footfall in shops, in particular at holiday times, and the advertising of alcopops which are designed specifically for young people. We have witnessed some cynical advertising...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I agree with the comments of my colleague, Senator Quinn, as well as those of Senator Alex White and others, on the manner in which the Intoxicating Liquor Bill is being rushed through the Seanad. I am sorry to be obliged to say the Government's approach in this regard is akin to a student cramming for an exam. The House has been on the doss all year and now everything is being rushed...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: —— some of which do not even have time to stop. I regret this and while there are hardworking Members on all sides of the House, it is not good enough in respect of an important issue such as alcohol abuse and when trying to take serious steps to tackle it. The least Members should do is give proper consideration and have due respect for the legislative process in order that they can...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: In light of the Cabinet's meeting today to approve cuts in Government spending to save approximately €400 million, it would be timely that we would have an urgent debate on how in a time of crisis and cutbacks we would order our priorities. On an international level, it is estimated by most informed commentators that the money promised at the Gleneagles summit by the G8 in 2003 — €50...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: The Cathaoirleach needs an egg timer. It is the only mechanism that will solve the problem.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I wish to be associated with the expressions of relief at the release from captivity of Ingrid Betancourt. My question to the Leader relates to another person in captivity in Ireland and the need for a debate on the functioning of our laws against trafficking which were recently passed in this House and the Dáil. A young Nigerian woman was arrested and brought before the court for failing...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: In fairness, no one from Fine Gael demonised them.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It is relevant because——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: My question is for the Leader. I ask him to use his good offices. The media rightly portrayed how divisive and negative campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s were on various sensitive social issues. If we are going to go back to the politics of demonisation, which involve calling people "dinosaurs", as happened in this House yesterday——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I do not and will never use abusive language but we need to try and set a lead so that we recognise the sincere convictions of people of all shades of opinion and treat them with the respect that is due to them, not just as public representatives but as human beings.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Dinosaurs.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It is material to the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I congratulate my colleague, Senator Ó Murchú for raising a pertinent issue and speaking about it with his usual eloquence. I rise to ask for a further debate on human trafficking in light of the disturbing new statistics available from Ruhama, which, as everybody here knows, does excellent work accompanying people involved in prostitution. Ruhama reports a two thirds increase in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I wish to raise the issue of Zimbabwe. I welcome what Senator O'Toole has said on the matter. I was in Áras an Uachtaráin recently. On my way out I saw a tree that had been planted, the inscription on which stated gurbh é Robert Mugabe an duine a chur an crann sin. That was in the good days when this man may have represented a beacon of hope.