Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: Although I will not be supporting the call for an amendment to the Order of Business, I support strongly some of the points made by Senator Rónán Mullen on the State-funded counselling service for those with crisis pregnancies. We need to ascertain whether the law has been broken, whether the lives of women are being put at risk and whether women are being advised to hide crucial...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: I, too, welcome the fact that a very positive image of the island, North and South, has been projected around the world in the past few days. I hope it will result in many more visitors coming to the country and partaking of the Carlingford oysters to which Senator Terry Brennan referred. I hope positive progress is being made at the G8 summit on the conflict in Syria. I support Senator...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Waiting Lists (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: What of an amnesty for some who might be defrauding the system?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Burton, and I welcome the Bill. I regard the Minister as a reforming Minister who appreciates that a Department that spends €20 billion per annum, or 40% of Government expenditure, must regularly review and refine the various schemes designed to assist so many of our citizens. Many people who today rely on social welfare never expected or intended to be...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: Absolutely. I know the banks want everybody to opt for payment by card, thereby eliminating the need for cash, but the customer is paying dearly for that. Business is suffering as a result of the banks failing to give a service to the customers that the customers deserve. As a Government we need to examine that. The Minister is a member of a Government that was given a mandate to fix a...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join with my colleagues in sending my condolences to the Bolger family on the awful tragedy in Dunmore East, County Waterford. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. The tragedy brings home to us the extremely dangerous circumstances in which many people in the fishing industry make their living. I agree with Senator Cullinane that we need to have further...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: I call on the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for Health and the Ministers of State at his Department on a number of issues, including the home help scheme, the carer's allowance, the respite grant and the mobility allowance. These are schemes and resources provided to the elderly and those with disabilities. We have scarce resources, as we all know, so we need to ensure that...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Michael Mullins: While I do not always agree with Senator Cullinane I support his call for a debate on taxation prior to the budget. There is a need for such a debate. I refer in particular to taxes that relate to the creation of employment. On the one hand, all of us have seen how small businesses are struggling in our towns and, on the other, a change in the VAT rate made a significant difference to...

Seanad: Early Child Care Education Standards: Statements (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister and thank Senator van Turnhout for ensuring an early debate. Like everybody else, I was absolutely horrified by the findings in RTE's "Prime Time" programme some nights ago. I am absolutely confident that the Minister will and is continuing to address the many issues that arise in respect of child care. Given that I was involved with the community child care project...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Hayden to continue without interruption.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Kathryn Reilly to continue without interruption from any side.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: I ask that courtesy be shown to Senator Reilly.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Norris, please.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Hayden, please-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Allow the Senator to speak without interruption, please.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Cullinane without interruption, please.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: Senator Ó Clochartaigh, without interruption.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Leader and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for agreeing to a debate at such short notice following the "Prime Time" programme on child care facilities. What we saw was disturbing, shocking and totally unacceptable. We saw poor practice and a dereliction of care, bordering on abuse. I am pleased that a comprehensive investigation is now under way by the HSE and the...