Results 1,741-1,760 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: That is not true.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I have listened to every word that was said by Senators Cullinane and Ó Clochartaigh. They have not indicated a single positive result that would be achieved by voting against the treaty. That is what people need to concentrate on. What is to be gained if the country did vote against the treaty? We are a small, open economy and we need as many friends as we can get within the European...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: There will be another treaty for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I support my colleague Senator Keane in her call for a debate on what has emerged from the Department of Finance regarding a cover-up. It is most outrageous that a competent and conscientious public servant's advice was ignored and interfered with several years ago. If that good advice had been heeded, we would certainly be in a less difficult situation than we are today. This matter...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: It is a matter of great importance to citizens. Companies such as Ticketmaster are charging 12% to book a ticket for a show or match. Citizens are being charged excessively and the Minister is taking the issue so seriously that he is proposing legislation which should be introduced as a matter of urgency. At a time when people are stretched, having to pay such charges on top of the cost of...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join Senator Ó Clochartaigh in welcoming the significant jobs and investment announcements in County Galway recently, as well as those for other areas. I have no doubt the renewed confidence and investment we are beginning to see in the country is as a result of the improving political and economic stability. We need to build on this, however, as we have large unemployment blackspots...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: We will have to forget the politics of protest on this one and, in the interests of Ireland, pass this treaty. I also welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Social Protection that she will propose new powers for social welfare inspectors to crack down on social welfare fraud. I welcome the fact that inspectors will be given powers of inquiry at ports and airports to curtail what...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join in welcoming the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, and wish him well in his new role. He takes up office at a difficult and challenging time. Let me assure him that we will sit for seven days if that is what it takes. In a few weeks time on 31 May the people of Ireland will be called on to make a decision that will have major...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (19 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I want to join in the tributes to the late Myles Staunton and welcome Marianne and his family to the House. I first got to know him back in the 1980s. He called to me on a regular basis at my office in Ballinasloe when he was a Senator and was gearing up for a European election. He was a most charming and delightful person. One always felt better after meeting and having a conversation...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the very significant job announcements made yesterday by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, particularly the 250 jobs for Inverin in County Galway. Very significant employment opportunities will be available to many young people in the west of that county. I hope this is the start of many significant announcements over the coming months. We are starting to see some...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I call on Senator Darragh O'Brien to consider withdrawing his motion-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: -----on the basis that we have considerable time to discuss this issue. The new water charges will not be implemented until 2014.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: It would be appropriate to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to have a full debate on the whole water issue. As previous speakers have said, it is such a vital national resource that it needs plenty of debate and discussion. Many Senators would like to have an input and give information to the Minister on the possible structuring of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2012)

Michael Mullins: I have a matter to bring to the attention of the media. Some of the recent coverage has been totally inaccurate. We will need to have another debate on media standards because some elements of the media are unable to present information that is given clearly by Ministers in a clear and coherent way to the public.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: On a positive note, I welcome the fact there has been a significant increase in the number of people paying the household charge. I encourage people to continue to make payments over the next couple of days. The moneys raised are going to provide services in local communities. I deplore the fact that people who are paid from the public purse has been actively campaigning against the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: Some elements of the media have not covered themselves in glory and have drummed up all sorts of opposition to the charge. Some have encouraged people no to pay the charge but rather to pay it to a charity. One journalist has been doing that on a radio show. Not so long ago Mr. Ray D'Arcy said-----

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: He is a man who said he would leave the country if Enda Kenny became Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I hope the gentleman does not find the services in his area have to be cut as a result of encouraging people not to pay the charge.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: My question to the Leader follows on from what Senator D'Arcy said. We all welcome the high-profile visit of the Taoiseach and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to China and the wonderful international coverage it is getting. It would be very appropriate for the Minister to come before the House and I ask the Leader to arrange that at an appropriate date. We...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements, Questions and Answers (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: There must be flexibility in the system.