Results 1,341-1,360 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I rise to make a plea for real patriotism in the context of the rightful public outrage at the size of the pensions being enjoyed by some retired Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at a time when people are trying to recover from the wreckage of the so-called Celtic tiger. The people who were central to the crash rode into the sunset with enormous pensions and severance packages. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (23 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Tánaiste and wish him well in his work during Ireland's Presidency. He has a particularly heavy workload. It is interesting that a recovery country is driving the recovery of Europe as he said in his address. I very much welcome the commitment to putting investment in sustainable jobs and growth at the top of the agenda. Is there anything that the Tánaiste hopes to...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I compliment him on the good work that he has done in the Department. I also thank him for listening to the contributions that were made here and he has made significant decisions since taking up office. On behalf of the community that I represent in east Galway, I thank him for taking on board representations that were made to him on the...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I also thank him for including, in the recently published timetable, additional rail services at Woodlawn station for which that community are extremely grateful and appreciative. I welcome the legislation today. As the Minister of State has said, the legislation is an attempt to clean up some problems and difficulties that occurred in the taxi business. I share Senator Barrett's concern...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I strongly support everything that has been said this morning about the problem of suicide. I support the call made by my colleague, Senator Conway, for the establishment of a Cabinet sub-committee on this issue. The House should lead a national conversation on the whole issue of suicide. Our public consultation process would be a good vehicle for initiating such a conversation. We all...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I join my colleagues in extending sympathy to Senator Deirdre Clune on the death of her mother, Margaret Barry, and the family of the late Deputy Shane McEntee. We all remember with great fondness the very fine, robust contributions he made in this House on many occasions. We will all miss him and his wisdom and advice. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. I ofen find myself agreeing with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (10 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the witnesses and it has been a very informative session. I support Senator Healy Eames in saying that it is deeply disturbing that a tragedy would be used to promote a particular-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (10 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I will not. It is unfortunate that dishonesty like that is being put on a website.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (10 Jan 2013)

Michael Mullins: I urge Choice Ireland to look at its website too. In its founding documents section, it categorises pro-life groups, which were here earlier and gave respectful presentations to the committee, as an anti-choice movement which it states is primarily a religious one that goes hand in hand with an anti-contraceptive, anti-sex education position and is homophobic. Why is it necessary for Choice...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in wishing the Cathaoirleach a very happy and peaceful Christmas. I take this opportunity to thank him and all the wonderful staff of the House. We are all united in complimenting all the members of staff with whom we interact. We receive nothing but courtesy, co-operation and assistance from those at every level in the organisation. We should be very proud of the staff...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: It is not really possible to follow that. We have had a fantastic debate and education today on where the money is being spent. We have heard many great ideas about how we could spend it more usefully in future. I hope we have started a further conversation with the Minister on how we might address much of the inequity in the social welfare system. There is no doubt that the way we...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join with Senators Norris and Coghlan in condemning the decision by the Bank of Ireland to increase interest rates on credit cards at this time of the year. It is most insensitive. As a lifelong customer of that bank, I am disgusted at this move. It is in sharp contrast to the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, of the introduction of a single portal by the end of 2013 for...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator is eating into Senator Byrne?s time.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: No clapping allowed in the Chamber.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: Senator, your time is up.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: Senator I must pull you up.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: Will Senator Moloney please finish as she is eating into other people's time.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: Thank you, Senator. Senator Norris has eight minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join the calls for a debate on Irish Aid in the new year. There is a need for balance in respect of this matter. I was particularly concerned to read at the weekend that a Member of this House called for 75% cut in Irish overseas aid. We are concerned here with the world's poorest people. I refer to those who live in refugee camps, whose lives have been ravaged by war and conflict, who...