Results 1,321-1,340 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Michael Mullins: An apology is important and I have no doubt it will come. However, an apology must mean more than words. It is appropriate and the Taoiseach has a responsibility to ensure that when he gives that apology he has put in place some supports and benefits for the people who have suffered much. He also has a responsibility to act on behalf of the State which is broke. We have to put in place an...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Water and Sewerage Schemes (5 Feb 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Stations Refurbishment (5 Feb 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House.

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion (5 Feb 2013)

Michael Mullins: Like Senator Marie Moloney, I am a novice around here. I am surprised that such influential Members as Senators David Norris and Feargal Quinn and the Leader have not been able to crack this issue during the years.

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion (5 Feb 2013)

Michael Mullins: At the first committee meeting I attended I noted it was going to clash with the Order of Business. My first priority is to attend to the business of Seanad Éireann. As a Government Senator, there is an obligation on us to be in the Chamber to ensure the Order of Business is conducted. When committee meetings are being scheduled, why is it not ensured that they will not clash with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join in the words of thanks and congratulations for Senator McAleese. We can say with certainty that he has done the State some service. This afternoon a significant report which uncovered our murky past will be unveiled. It is incumbent on us, as Oireachtas Members, to ensure that its recommendations are implemented in full and that the people who were treated badly through the decades...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: It is critically important to reassure people about the new policing arrangements that will kick in for many communities this weekend. In recent weeks, gardaí have done a wonderful job in areas where Garda stations are going to close. They have gone out into those communities and reassured people that they will have a modern well-equipped and well-resourced police service. We have 13,500...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion with Asia Matters (30 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: We have an international airport in Knock as well, which could equally be used.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion with Asia Matters (30 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I regret that I missed the start of Mr. Murray's presentation but I found the rest of it very interesting and stimulating. I have three short questions. Mr. Murray said that if we want to sell, we need to be able to speak the language. Are we taking that seriously enough and is the Department treating that concern with sufficient urgency? How do we address this issue and is it a viable...

Seanad: Water Fluoridation: Motion (30 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House. I compliment Senator Norris on tabling this motion. It is only right and proper that such a significant public policy relating to the treatment of water is kept under constant review. The Government amendment does not differ much from the motion tabled by Senator Norris in this regard. I raised this issue some weeks ago on the Order of...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I call for an urgent debate on the appalling emerging situation in Syria. Last night, we were all appalled to see on television the bodies of close to 100 men and young boys being pulled out of a river in Aleppo as well as images of thousands of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, where a large humanitarian crisis is emerging. The relief agencies admit that they are being...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: That never happened before.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the clarification by the Minister of State on the fact that Uisce Éireann will be a subsidiary of Bord Gáis and that any inefficiencies in the existing structure will not be subsidised by this entity. I support the call of the Minister of State to Senator Walsh to raise these issues with Bord Gáis. I regard it as one of the more efficient semi-State organisations, but if he is...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: The success of this operation depends on the CEO and the fact he honed many of his skills in my county of Galway over his long career in local government certainly adds to his suitability for the position.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: We are discussing the establishment-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: -----of it and its efficiency or otherwise and the potential for success-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: -----of this organisation. I very much welcome the clarification the Minister of State has given on this section.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Mairead McGuinness, MEP (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join in the welcome extended to Ms McGuinness and thank her for an inspiring address. As the milk quota issue has been addressed, I will confine my question to a topical issue. From what Ms McGuinness is hearing in Europe, has long-term damage being done to the Irish food industry? As a country, what must we do to rebuild the fine reputation we had built up over the years? Does Ms...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I extend my sympathy to our colleague, Senator Imelda Henry, on the passing of her dear mother, and to the family of former Senator Éamon de Buitléar. There is an eerie silence around Leinster House today and, indeed, throughout Ireland. I extend my sympathy to the family of the deceased Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The hearts of the nation go out to the family today. This was not an...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP (24 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I want to join the words of welcome to Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP, who has made an outstanding contribution to politics at local level as Lord Mayor of Dublin, as a TD, as a Minister and as an MEP. We are honoured to have him in our presence today and I thank him for a most thought-provoking speech. As we mark 40 years of EU membership, it is worth looking at the benefits the EU has brought to...