Results 1,801-1,820 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: As someone who has criticised "Prime Time" in the House, I congratulate the programme and the wonderful lady, Lorraine Mulvey, who was interviewed by Miriam O'Callaghan on it last night. Ms Mulvey spoke out during a wonderful interview and did a great service to people who have suffered abuse. Her courage and the absence of bitterness or rancour in her words will be admired by many people....

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome this opportunity presented by the Leader to have a debate on the fiscal treaty. I join others in thanking the Library and Research Service on the informative presentation it gave us last week. I am pleased the Government is allowing plenty of time for people to debate and become familiar with all the facts before holding this referendum. I urge the Government to ensure the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I call on the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the worsening situation in Syria in which more than 8,000 people, many of them women and children, have died in the past year since anti-government protests erupted. We all see the horrific images on our television screens on a nightly basis. In a separate development, we read this morning that a...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I compliment Dublin City Council and the Garda Síochána on the peaceful removal of the unauthorised encampment in Dame Street. I thoroughly respect everybody's right to protest, as they regularly do outside Leinster House every week. However, no group is entitled to put businesses at risk, obstruct them, or breach planning or health and safety laws. As St. Patrick's Day approaches,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: Give him a bit of rope.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister to the House. It is appropriate to discuss the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011 at a time when competition is the word on everybody's lips and we are a little more competitive than we have been for many years. We need to continue to remain competitive in all aspects of business if we are to bring about economic recovery in the years ahead. The Bill is designed to...

Seanad: Early Intervention and Family Support Services: Statements (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I realise I have only a short time but I cannot let the opportunity go without placing on record the appreciation of the people of Ballinasloe for the successful visit the Minister made on Monday during which she opened a new €1 million 50 place community child care facility and then visited an innovative preschool facility run by Ballinasloe social services for children with special needs....

Seanad: Early Intervention and Family Support Services: Statements (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister for what I am sure we all agree was a comprehensive response to all the questions raised. I thank the Senators for their contributions.

Seanad: Early Intervention and Family Support Services: Statements (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister. We will have contributions from the group spokespersons who will have eight minutes, a contribution from one Sinn Féin Senator of three minutes and all other Senators will have one minute to ask questions. It is planned to conclude proceedings at 1.45 p.m.

Seanad: Early Intervention and Family Support Services: Statements (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator has two minutes

Seanad: Early Intervention and Family Support Services: Statements (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: The Senator was on time. I call Senator Henry.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: Déanaim chomhghairdeas leis na Seanadóirí a bhfuil an Ghaeilge go flúirseach acu. Tá náire agam nach bhfuil sé chomh flúirseach sin agam féin. I share in the congratulations to the Government on taking a brave decision in the current economic climate to send Ministers abroad during the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. I have never criticised any Government that decided to avail of...

Seanad: Early Intervention and Family Support Services: Statements (7 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to the House and congratulate her on her excellent work to date. I have no doubt she will have interesting knowledge to impart to us. I call on the Minister to address the House.

Seanad: Local Authority Housing (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: Does the Senator have a final question for the Minister of State?

Seanad: Election Management System (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister of State. Are there any final questions?

Seanad: Election Management System (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Minister of State and the Senator. The House stands adjourned until 10.30 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs 2012: Statements, Questions and Answers (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister and thank him for a great plan of action which will be accountable. I am also encouraged by his invitation to Members of this House to continue to feed ideas to him following the excellent debate we had recently. In his plan, IDA Ireland is mandated to locate 50% of foreign direct investment outside Dublin and Cork. I hope that a town like Ballinasloe, which has lost...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs 2012: Statements, Questions and Answers (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: The fact that sole traders are self-employed means they are ineligible for State benefits. Does the Minister intend to address this matter? I know he is examining it but we need to address that issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: It took 14 years to change it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2012)

Michael Mullins: That would not be in the Senator's nature.