Results 1,001-1,020 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I am sure the Cathaoirleach will indulge me if I extend my good wishes to people in east County Galway who were devastated last night when a mini-tornado came in over the River Shannon and struck Clonfert. Many farm buildings were demolished and trees uprooted in the area. Headstones in the historical Clonfert Cathedral were also uprooted and farm animals lost, although thankfully lives...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: One of the newspapers reports today that an Oranmore man lost a significant amount of money when he responded to an advertisement for a job in Scotland. He incurred costs of several thousand euro for insurance, flights and legal fees in what was a scam. All of us receive e-mails daily which offer us ways of getting rich quick.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: Yes. I hope the outcome of tomorrow's referendum will be that the House will continue in existence. I seek an update from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, on the Action Plan for Jobs. The Minister will be welcome in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: The Leader usually has the Minister come before the House to provide a quarterly update on the Action Plan for Jobs. While progress is being made, action on this matter must be escalated because the high levels of unemployment we continue to endure are the main challenge facing the country.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland)(Amendment) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (2 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister of State for coming before us. Every improvement to the Bill is welcome. I compliment the Minister of State on his performance in the context of his responsibility for science. He is doing a good job. We need to continue to invest heavily in the area of science. I wish the Minister of State continued success for the remainder of his term of office.

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Senator and I call Senator Harte who has ten minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I support Senator Quinn's fine proposal. I hope that the Leader will flag our willingness after we win the referendum next Friday to work on a proper reform package. I am appalled that two former Ministers on fine, hefty pensions are outside the House today denigrating this Chamber's work as well as the fine Members elected to it. I call for a debate on tolling policy following yesterday's...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: He would make a great Deputy.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join other speakers who referred to the appalling incident in Athlone over the weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with those young girls and their families. It is an appalling time for them. Obviously the course of justice will deal with it in time. The House should have a debate on the report of the Ombudsman for Children that was published today. It contains some disturbing...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Michael Mullins: -----and reflects badly on our party. I am ashamed of it. I have no difficulty saying that. The people will make their decision next Friday. I am disturbed by some misleading information that has been released during the course of this campaign. People must have the full facts. One can quote figures and statistics to make any case, and one can add direct and indirect costs. It is for...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: I strongly support the call made by Senator Clune for the Government to publish the alcohol action policy as a matter of urgency. The CSO figures show that despite the appalling effects of the recession in recent years and in 2012, alcohol consumption increased again. Alcohol related harm costs the country an estimated €3.7 billion per year. We face a major problem and crisis in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation of Baha'i Faith in Iran: Discussion (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join in welcoming the delegation which has made a very fair and balanced presentation. From what it is telling us about the life and career of Mr. Rezvani, it appears that he did nothing but good for his country and community and helped to bring badly needed services to his area. The persecution, Mr. Rezvani's murder and the imprisonment of many others are very disturbing. However, there...

Seanad: Pathways to Work Strategy: Statements (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: Will the Minister explain why the appeals system takes so long?

Seanad: Pathways to Work Strategy: Statements (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for engaging with us on a very regular basis in the Seanad. Some of the initiatives she has taken in recent times were advocated by Members of this House and I compliment her on that. My friend Senator Ó Clochartaigh is being his usual positive self today.

Seanad: Pathways to Work Strategy: Statements (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: I am disappointed that he has failed to recognise some of the very significant improvements and increases in job numbers that have taken place in the country, particularly in the last 12 months. There is no need to remind him of the appalling situation that this Government inherited when it came into office two and a half years ago. All Ministers and Departments were charged by the...

Seanad: Pathways to Work Strategy: Statements (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: Good.

Seanad: Pathways to Work Strategy: Statements (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: Great. I will communicate that information to him. Finally, I urge the Minister to ensure that the budget contains something to kick start activity in the construction sector.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the announcement this morning by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade that €200,000 is being provided for the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria. That follows from the agreement brokered by the US and Russia on how to deal with the stockpile of Syrian chemical weapons. Personally, I would like to see all weapons decommissioned in Syria but at...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I congratulate her and her staff on introducing the legislation, which is a culmination of much work by successive Governments. The legislation is to be welcomed because it will lead to the inclusion of approved housing bodies under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. We can all associate with the grim picture of the 1980s painted by Senator...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Sep 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Leyden without interruption.