Results 841-860 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Michael Mullins: Like Senator Ó Clochartaigh, I would like Margaretta D'Arcy to be released. Ms D'Arcy is a peace activist and woman of principle whom I admire. I remind Senators, however, that we must also consider the law of the land. As everyone knows, encroaching on the runway of an airport has consequences.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jan 2014)

Michael Mullins: Much has been said about Irish Water, some of it a little hysterical. I agree with Senator Conway that Irish Water as an entity will work. It is a whole new structure and utility being established. However, there are serious questions to be asked. We need to tease out the issue of bonuses, which, I think, are obscene. Having said that, if the employees of Irish Water exceed the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Michael Mullins: I must apologise to Professor Tonra. We had an afternoon of near-continuous votes in the Seanad so I missed his presentation. Since my arrival, the professor has been talking about our embassy network and the number of Irish missions. Looking at where we have our embassies at present, if Professor Tonra was advising the Government on how to address gaps in our diplomatic network, where...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Michael Mullins: I call for a debate on the strategy published today with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, in the near future to enable us to have an input into how it is finalised.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Michael Mullins: I join with colleagues in extending good wishes to everybody for 2014 and to particularly wish our colleague Senator Jimmy Harte well. I hope the positive newspaper reports we saw recently will be borne out and that he will soon be back with us. I strongly support the call for an urgent debate on flooding. Many counties, including parts of my county of Galway, have been seriously hit. We...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I support Senator Landy and very much welcome this amendment. The Minister has certainly been listening. We now have an opportunity to give the power to the people on the ground - the councillors representing the area who know best the business situation that prevails. With the indulgence of the Chair, I welcome the comments made by the Minister during the discussions on a previous...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I, too, congratulate the Minister on bringing forward this significant legislation. It is the culmination of a great deal of good work by the Minister and her officials this year. She has had an outstanding year. She worked throughout the year to ensure a better life for the children of Ireland. The passing of the children's referendum was a significant milestone. One could not but be...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: In addition, when she criticises she is usually right. She is magnanimous when credit is deserved. It is appropriate that these families would get this good news just a few days before Christmas. The 23 families concerned will have a much happier Christmas. I share the concerns voiced by Senator van Turnhout. Obviously there must always be adequate systems in place to protect vulnerable...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I ask the Senator to stick to the amendment and avoid making a Second Stage speech.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I will rule on such matters.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I ask Senators to confine their contributions to the amendments under discussion.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I presume the matter can be examined prior to Report Stage.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Hogan, and call Senator Walsh, who was in possession.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: Amendments Nos. 1, 3 and 4 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: We are not dealing with amendment No. 2. Amendments Nos. 1, 3 and 4 are grouped together.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: The information Senator Crown brought before the House this morning is deeply troubling. It indicates that there is much cleaning up to be done in many institutions in this State so the Government will have a busy schedule in 2014. I join in supporting the call by Senator Norris that an invitation be extended to Pope Francis, a man of justice who is promoting peace and equality. Given the...

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: I support the general thrust of the Bill. Like the Minister, I wish to acknowledge the major contribution that Senator Crown is making to the protection of public health by highlighting the dangerous impact of smoking on the lives of so many people in this country. I also commend the Minister for his proactive approach and his ambitious plan to have the country smoke-free by 2025. Some...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: What is the figure in the North?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Mullins: We would all like to see people with particularly difficult economic situations or long-term illnesses being granted some allowance. However, I would be concerned about the logistics. How would such an approach be arranged? Dealing with every householder individually would be complex. In his reply, perhaps the Minister of State would indicate how this can physically be handled.