Results 1,421-1,440 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Yes, it is another anomaly in the retirement rules. Many people will want to work beyond the age of 65 because of the significant deficit in public and private pensions. The whole loss of experience in the public and private sector makes the case for allowing people to work beyond 65. Another reason to allow it is because people are living longer. It has been pointed out that many people...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join Senator Darragh O'Brien in asking that the situation relating to the inquiry into the events that took place in Galway University Hospital when Savita Halappanavar lost her life to be reviewed in a calm manner. It is obvious that the family of the deceased are unhappy with the situation, and it is desirable that this be taken on board. I am aware this is a particularly delicate issue...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator definitely does not have time.

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: There are three speakers remaining, Senators Brennan, Barrett and Norris. As I must leave sufficient time for the Minister to respond, if the Senators are agreeable they can have two minutes each.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join with colleagues in condemning the appalling loss of life in the past week in Gaza and in Israel. I echo the call to invite the Tánaiste to the House for a discussion on that worsening crisis, particularly in light of our history of conflict and the contribution Ireland could make to resolve it. There is no way to dress this up. We have witnessed acts of unacceptable terrorism by...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: It is important in a democracy that we have confidence in the judicial system. Without going into the Fr. Molloy case, to which reference was made, if there is a possibility that mistakes were made and that there was a miscarriage of justice, it is important it would be investigated. I support the call made by previous speakers for anybody who has any further information to add to this...

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Is the Sinn Féin amendment being seconded?

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: Then the amendment falls.

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I call on the Minister to respond and when he concludes, I hope we will be able to accommodate all the Senators who have indicated they wish to speak.

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join in the welcome to the Minister to discuss this important, issue which is exercising the minds of many people. I welcome the fact that there is such cross-party support for the motion as it is a major issue in all our communities. I was present in the AV room for the presentation which was one of the most striking I have seen for a long time and also one of the best attended. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join colleagues in offering our deepest sympathy to the husband and bereaved family of the woman referred to in the newspapers this morning. I support Senator Crown in restraining from comment until such time as the full facts of the case are known. At that stage we should debate the various aspects outlined by many Members this morning. Another medical story is contained in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I am disappointed the assurances we were given of a better system have not come to fruition.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I have no difficulty in supporting Senator Ó Murchú's call for a debate in the aftermath, when the dust settles, on the referendum. I congratulate the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, on successfully steering through the referendum. It is the culmination of 20 years hard work on the part of many Members in all parties and all-party Oireachtas committees. I also...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the delegation and thank the Chairman and the Minister for the swift action taken. It is clear this fraud came to light because of the vigilance of the Auditor General in Uganda. What confidence can we have that fraud is not taking place in other countries in which we provide substantial aid? We would like assurance in that regard. Are there any plans to strengthen oversight...

Seanad: Youth Unemployment and Public Policy: Address by Professor Christopher Pissarides (Resumed) (8 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join in the words of welcome to Professor Pissarides. His was a most interesting, stimulating and thought provoking contribution, as were the other contributions. I come from a town that lost 1,000 industrial jobs in high volume, low tech engineering-type operations. It is very difficult to replace such jobs. Professor Pissarides spoke about the future for job creation being in green...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join my colleagues in urging a strong vote for the constitutional amendment in the referendum on Saturday. This is a real opportunity to make a strong statement of our commitment to children and to righting the wrongs of the past. I do not think the "No" side has put forward a coherent argument as to why people should vote other than "Yes" on Saturday. I condemn some of the outrageous...

Seanad: Social Welfare Appeals System: Motion (7 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator is out of time.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I welcome also this very important debate and discussion. On other days when we have discussed this issue, the many problems associated with the abuse of alcohol have been raised, such as domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy, child abuse, pressure on the health services and the fact that our accident and emergency rooms are full at...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: -----to put the remuneration being paid to the heads of some charitable organisations on the agenda for discussion also. We need to be open and transparent about that matter of concern also.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Michael Mullins: I support my colleagues' call for an investigation into the advice dispensed to women with crisis pregnancies. I was concerned to learn that my own town of Ballinasloe had been mentioned as one of the places in which this dangerous or illegal information was being dispensed. It certainly warrants further investigation at the highest level, particularly as the HSE is providing the venues or...