Results 1,541-1,560 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I will do that as well. I very much thank the Leader for arranging for the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to come to the House in the near future to discuss employment. I have a bit of good news to announce to Senator White. This morning the Minister, Deputy Bruton, announced that the ¤90 million micro-finance scheme will be open for business from next...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: As we all know, the Government does not create jobs but it creates the environment in which jobs are created. The announcement this morning by the Minister is a very positive move and I look forward to interacting with him next week and discussing all the issues and the difficulties businesses, in particular small businesses, are going through and the pressures small businesses face from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Crisis in South Kordofan and South Sudan: Discussion (26 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the delegations from Trócaire and, in particular, Médecins Sans Frontiéres, who are paying their first visit to the committee. I am sure it will be the first of many visits. The picture painted was a very human one of great suffering and deprivation and one which must be of grave concern to us all. I very much applaud the amazing work which has been done over the...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: It is appropriate that there are many young people in the Gallery at the moment in light of the issue I am about to raise, namely, a survey on alcohol use in the 18 to 24 year age group published today by Alcohol Action Ireland. This survey has some alarming statistics. One quarter of the respondents reported that they experienced a variety of harm as a result of another person's drinking....

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I was not aware of that. I certainly welcome it but we need a full Seanad debate at an early stage. The motion on the Adjournment is one issue but this issue impacts society generally. As a country, we must face up to the serious issues of alcohol and drug abuse. We should devote at least one half day to discuss this major issue, which has been raised over several months by many Senators....

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House and thank him for a comprehensive report on his recent visit to Jordan. I compliment him on securing aid of more than ¤2 million which is badly needed by the people who are suffering gravely as a result of the Assad regime. It is timely that the debate is taking place in a week when the Tánaiste is attending a meeting of the...

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House and thank him for a comprehensive report on his recent visit to Jordan. I compliment him on securing aid of more than ¤2 million which is badly needed by the people who are suffering gravely as a result of the Assad regime. It is timely that the debate is taking place in a week when the Tánaiste is attending a meeting of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join Senator Bacik in condemning in the strongest way possible the appalling murders we saw in recent days. It was especially horrific that they were carried out in the presence of young children. We can just imagine the long-lasting damage that will cause vulnerable young people. We need a debate on organised crime. It is obvious that, in the main, organised crime in this country is...

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: We are depending on the Minister of State.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd. Our two visitors from County Galway are also very welcome.

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for a comprehensive statement. He is active on the ground in ensuring our concerns are being addressed. I come from Ballinasloe, which was badly flooded in 2009, so I have a keen interest in investments in the past and in the future to ensure we do not have a repeat of the awful trauma suffered by so many households and businesses in 2009. I...

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I apologise, but the Senator's microphone is not working.

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: We are still in difficulty. My microphone is certainly working.

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: Senator Barrett can proceed.

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: We apologise for the interruption, but the OPW has got us back in business.

Seanad: Flooding and Flood Prevention Measures: Statements (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and call on him to make the opening address.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I will.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the positive start we have made to this Oireachtas term on a number of fronts. I particularly welcome the setting of a date for the referendum on children's rights. I compliment the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and the all-party Oireachtas committee. I thank everyone who helped us to reach the stage at which a referendum can be organised. I...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I also thank the Minister of State. This is very important legislation and I hope we will see a very significant impact and significant savings, which obviously can be put to good use throughout the health services. I welcome the assurance from the Minister of State that the passing of this legislation will not in any way inhibit the bringing of new, more effective, medicines on stream...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2012)

Michael Mullins: I had also indicated I wished to speak.