Results 1,721-1,740 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: We took a decision by resolution of the House yesterday.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I will do so.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, and compliment the Minister, Deputy Burton, on a very fine job in a difficult time for the country. Deputy Burton is a reforming Minister and I know she is very determined to reform many aspects of the social welfare system and protect the most vulnerable in our society. She is managing significant spending in her Department of more than €20...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: Other speakers referred to a culture of entitlement and dependency. We need to change that, which will only be done by investing in education and providing opportunities for these people to return to the workplace. We must invest in proper child care and make it easier to transition from unemployment to work. Our social welfare system is reasonably generous and is designed to support the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: My apologies.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: It cannot be agreed without the Leader.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: That is correct.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: It is not proposed to amend it. The Senator is using up her time.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I understand Senator Burke will share his time with Senator Brennan. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: Too long.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: What about water charges?

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: We cannot do anything about it.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the legislation but I would like the Minister of State to give us an undertaking that if this does not prove to be effective we will revisit it at an early stage. It is worrying that there have been only 32 convictions in 21 years and that no one has gone to prison. We are all conscious of anti-competitive practices. Everything we do must be in the interest of the consumer. A...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I very much welcome the positive contribution made by Senator Darragh O'Brien this morning in calling for a "Yes" vote and compliment him on being actively out on the stump already and canvassing. This is one of the most important decisions for the country that we will make and it will have an impact for many decades to come. The treaty must be passed in the interests of job retention and...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: It represents employees and I always thought that the main priority of any trade union was to protect employment-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: -----and to create employment. At a time when there are 445,000 unemployed, we need every opportunity and support we can get to create employment and to bring about confidence so that people will invest in our country. The trade union movement has a significant role to play. As I stated here yesterday, those who oppose the treaty have not come up with one advantage to the country of voting...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: One point I would make to Senator Darragh O'Brien is that there will be no water charges until 2014. There is one decision made, namely, that Bord Gáis Éireann will be the vehicle that will secure our water in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: All the other decisions will be made in due course. We were accused of rushing into matters by bringing the property charges on board too quickly. This is a major decision. We need to get it right. We need to ensure that it is fair and balanced. That cannot happen overnight.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I would ask for a little patience and indulgence on this particular major issue. It is vital for the country to have a safe, secure and plentiful water supply in the future and Senator Darragh O'Brien can be assured the Government is treating it seriously and we will get this one right.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: We are sick of reading fiction.