Results 7,421-7,440 of 7,583 for speaker:Rónán Mullen

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: That is not my problem. I am sorry; I should address the Cathaoirleach. I am not in any way impugning your integrity in this matter, a Chathaoirligh. However, I am saying there is an unsatisfactory situation.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: This is an important debate. We talk about many bread and butter issues in this House. However, values are essential. Many of our young people are overdosed on various substances. They seem to be oversexed at a stage of their lives when they should be——

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Many have lives that are filled but not formed in terms of values, which is a serious problem for society and will take us in a very unhealthy direction where we will have a right-wing backlash in terms of how bad behaviour will be punished. A stitch in time saves nine. We need to operate on this now by having an honest debate about values and we need to stop being so shy about what we fear...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: On a brief point of order, I was absent from the Chamber when Senator Norris drew attention to the fact that I had taken some of Senator O'Toole's time. Any suggestion that I did so deliberately is slightly mean-minded. I would have thought that as a junior Senator, I might be immune from cheap shots. I would like to put it on the record that I misunderstood the Chair's briefing on the...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I understand that Senator O'Toole, who is not present, may wish to share time. If he appears, I will happily conclude. If this is the case, perhaps the Leas-Chathaoirleach will inform me when I am halfway through. I wish to preface my remarks by stating this is an issue of tremendous importance and enormous sensitivity and there are deeply-held feelings on all sides on this issue. It goes...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Tá dhá noiméad nó mar sin agam. I dissent from Senator Norris's comments on the letter in The Irish Times from the esteemed psychiatrist, Professor Patricia Casey. She asked why, if children being raised by same-sex couples should be given the protections of marriage, such protections should not be given to children being raised in other non-marital family unions. This is a perfectly...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: That is true.

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: We must have regard to the fact that statistics are easily quoted, but we should note that the burden of proof is on those who advocate radical social change. If we are sincere about providing the best possible environment for the upbringing of children in society, we will do nothing to put that at risk. We certainly will not do it on the basis of half-baked research. We must wait. I am...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Let us have a rational debate that is focused on the common good and the needs of people, particularly of those most vulnerable sections in our society. The Government needs to be careful before even introducing a form of civil partnership, which seeks to elevate some classes of relationship over and above other classes which are equally deserving, equally mutually dependent and, in many...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: The organisations Senator Mary White supports would support this amendment.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: We want to discuss the matter.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: The phrase "to solicit in public" does not cover everything.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: Will the Minister of State name the anthropologist?

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: While I understand the Minister of State's dilemma, as he is obliged to represent the Government's position, the arguments do not hold up. I was thinking of the phrase, "smoke and daggers" as I listened to some of the arguments, in that some of them throw smoke around the issue but do not offer any compelling reason not to criminalise generally the purchase of sex. The Minister of State let...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I do not doubt that, I only asked her name.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: It was proposed in Finland.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: No, it was not, but it was proposed.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: I welcome Senator O'Toole's argument. I have taken the view that what the Minister of State is saying is that, at most, in certain circumstances it might be a crime to be a client, so to speak. My position has been that even if that were the case — it does not appear to be clear it is — it would not cover the generality of situations. I thank the Minister of State for naming the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: No, I am talking about the Minister of State's commentary on the Swedish Government. If one quotes an individual, a social anthropologist, it would seem appropriate to have one's homework done and to have consulted with the government of the country which appears to have a very successful piece of legislation generally criminalising the purchasers of sex.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Rónán Mullen: My true colours?