Results 981-1,000 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I support the calls for a debate with the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, on medical cards. It beggars believe that there could be such inaccuracies in the system. Unfortunately, however, these inaccuracies are indicative of the difficulties which arise in the context of schemes operated by the State. In many instances, benefits and allowances continue to be paid long after people have...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: However, it has brought forward some very positive measures. When these are combined with the various measures relating to job creation, I think people can see that the budget is balanced and that we have done our very best to try to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: This calls for a night out in the Dáil bar.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: Our international reputation will be restored and, hopefully, people who have emigrated over the past five or six years will start to flow back again.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: Generally speaking, the tone and emphasis of the budget has been particularly positive. There are three areas where it is very positive, including the area of job creation. Despite what Senator White has said, most business organisations have welcomed it.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: They have welcomed the positive job creation measures in the budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: One area that is very positive is the area of tourism. The retention of the 9% VAT rate has been universally welcomed and has the potential to create significant jobs. The position is likewise in the agricultural sector, where significant investment will be made. I call on the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, in the near...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I also welcome the Minister of State. I stated earlier that the atmosphere around the Houses today has been much calmer than in previous years. This is due to the fact that the Government has gradually and slowly brought the country back from the brink. Today's budget builds on the positivity we have seen in the past year, during which 34,000 new jobs have been created. The public...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: The €50 million allocated in respect of road maintenance will obviously help create employment and stop further deterioration of roads throughout the country. The incentive relating to the renovation and maintenance of homes is wonderful. The Minister has taken this initiative as a result of prompts he received from many Members of this House. The economy will never return to...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: This is a well-constructed budget which will restore confidence in our country and assist in the creation of much-needed employment. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, has predicted that 48,000 jobs will be created during the coming year.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I will not add to the speculation as to what might be in the budget. Newspapers have a job to do-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: -----to fill space.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: The only thing we know for certain is that there will be an adjustment of €2.5 billion in the budget this afternoon. Obviously, there will be some good measures and some tough measures in it but I am sure it is not lost on Senator Daly and others how times have changed in terms of the calm atmosphere in the House today. Less than two and a half years ago our country was in crisis,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Impact of Conflict in Syria: Discussion. (9 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join in welcoming our guests. I compliment them on the amazing work of their various organisations. It is difficult to visualise the magnitude of what they face every day. The 6.8 million refugees number more than the population of the entire island of Ireland. It is almost impossible to visualise if every one of us needed daily aid. This statistic is coupled with the figure of 100,000...

Seanad: Irish Sign Language: Motion (9 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, and our distinguished visitors in the Gallery. I compliment my colleagues, Senators Martin Conway and Cáit Keane, for bringing forward this motion. I hope this will be a very significant step on the road to the eventual official recognition of Irish Sign Language. This is an issue of equality - equality of opportunity in employment, in...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I did not speak yesterday. I welcome the Irish people's decision. We have the most current mandate of all Irish politicians. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure we use this House to-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: Hopefully.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: We must use this House productively over the coming years to help in the continued economic recovery of this country.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: We all welcome the ESRI report which projects growth of 2.7% next year. The projected increase in employment is very much to be welcomed. Over the past year 33,000 jobs have been created. I welcome the fact that the CSO figures in my county show a drop of 1,700 people on the live register in recent months. That is very much to be welcomed. The forthcoming budget gives us an opportunity,...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join in welcoming the Minister this afternoon. I acknowledge that nobody understands the difficulties that small business are experiencing right now than he does. I compliment him on his work since taking office. I record my appreciation of the great work done by the county and city enterprise boards during the past 20 years. I acknowledge that many of the very successful businesses in...