Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I support my colleague, Senator Healy Eames, in calling for a debate on the personal insolvency guidelines. It does appear that banks are getting too much power and that they will attempt to call the shots on how people live their lives. This is particularly galling for taxpayers who have bailed out banks to such a large extent. It is a pity that the banks were not more meticulous when...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: A vested interest.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: As there are no other speakers offering, I call on the Minister of State to reply.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, to the House for this important debate. The Bill seeks to amend the eligibility for the medical card for people over 70 years of age. Like other speakers, I would be much happier if we did not have to address this issue but we live in very difficult times, resources are scarce and we must target them at the most needy. A total of 40%...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: What is happening is scaremongering. People are frightened and are phoning their public representatives to inquire about their situation. In the vast majority of cases they will not be impacted. I welcome the fact that over the past two years the Department has been corresponding with people to determine if they still require the card and if they are eligible for it. There were huge abuses...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join in the good wishes for Jimmy Walsh. With all of this morning's tributes, he is probably tempted to enter politics. He would win the popular vote among Senators. Jimmy is a thorough gentleman and a one-off. He has given outstanding service to democracy and journalism through his coverage of the activities of the Oireachtas in his long and illustrious career. I wish him a long, happy...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Recruitment (26 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dinny McGinley, to the House. I call on Senator Colm Burke to raise his Adjournment matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I want to extend the good wishes of the House to Fr. Pat O'Brien, the parish priest of Caherlistrane in County Galway, who had a horrific experience over the weekend when his home was broken into and trashed, while he was tied up. Those who broke in were looking for cash or gold to pay significant drug debts. This raises the issues of the size of the drug trade, the resources available to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: There has been a moratorium since 2 p.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Election of Acting Chairman (26 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I second that proposal.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: All of us would like to be associated with the remarks Senator James Heffernan and to wish Mr. John Thomas McNamara speedy recovery. Following up on the comments of Senator Quinn on the free travel scheme, there is widespread abuse of the system. It is because of a lack of security in the documentation. It is far too easy to forge documentation. There is no photographic identification on...

Seanad: Restorative Justice Process: Motion (20 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley. I compliment Senator Conway on his tabling of this most important motion. I am one of those Members to which the Senator Conway referred, namely, those who previously knew very little about the restorative justice process. This debate has given us the opportunity to learn a great deal about the matter. I was encouraged by the very positive...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: We have proven again we are the best in the world on the sporting field. The ladies' wonderful victory in achieving the rugby grand slam has been referred to and we cannot forget the 14 winners at Cheltenham last week, which highlights the strength of Irish racing and how important the Irish horse industry is to our country. On the economic and business front, Ryanair has proven what a...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: Although the new Pope is less than 24 hours in office, his election has had an enormous impact already, as is obvious in the House this morning. When I saw his demeanour last night and heard his opening remarks, it struck me that he was a Christ-like figure. He is a man who came from very humble origins, renounced the trappings of power and mixed with the poor. I understand he advised...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: If I can be helpful to Senator Norris, there will be a briefing by the Revenue Commissioners in the audiovisual room at 11.45 a.m. today.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I share the call by Senator Quinn for a debate in the House on the challenges facing town centre businesses. As Senator Quinn correctly noted, these are facing major challenges, and the Government will not be able to resolve all those problems. Senator Quinn has contributed very significantly to helping towns around the country and we could all benefit from his wisdom in the House. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: We have had many debates and discussions on job creation and high unemployment levels. I saw comments by Louise Phelan, the Irish head of PayPal, where she said that young graduates are completely unprepared for work, not hungry enough to succeed in today's environment, and that they have a sense of entitlement, expecting everything to be handed to them on a plate. She said they have great...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector Report: Discussion with RGDATA (12 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: Some members might be shocked to discover that there are 4,000 shops in the independent retailers grouping. The problems which have been outlined are common to every one of us. I come from the small town of Ballinasloe in east Galway and could have written Ms Buckley's script for her. It is what I hear from retailers in Ballinasloe on a daily basis. There are three multinationals on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector Report: Discussion with RGDATA (12 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: Not to mention the health issues associated with those cigarettes.

Seanad: Education and Training Boards Bill 2012: Second Stage (7 Mar 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State. The unanimous support for this Bill is an indication of the success of the engagement by the Minister and Minister of State with the various stakeholders over the past year or so. As stated by the Minister earlier, the objective of this Bill is to ensure better delivery and co-ordination of education and training at local level. We all want an education...