Results 1,881-1,900 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Michael Mullins: Fianna Fáil did not do a good job of defending it in the court.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Michael Mullins: I am not.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (1 Feb 2012)

Michael Mullins: They lost.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join others in complimenting the Taoiseach and other European leaders on the progress they made in concluding the fiscal treaty document last night. I would like to see a decision reached at an early stage as to whether a referendum is necessary. While I do not think anyone has anything to fear from holding a referendum, I would disagree with Senator MacSharry in his argument. If the...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: I join the Deputy Leader in welcoming the progress the Government has made in addressing the issue of personal insolvency, personal debt and mortgage distress. I am surprised at the negative tone of Senator Darragh O'Brien, given a very positive contribution by his party's justice spokesperson on "Morning Ireland" this morning when he very much welcomed the heads of the Bill and rightly...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: I have.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: The problem is that the banks are not lending to people who are in permanent, full-time secure employment so that they can purchase homes. I ask the Leader to make some arrangement for consultation with representatives of the banks to see what progress they are making in freeing up badly needed finance for people who wish to purchase their own homes. Many affordable homes are available but...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: On the issue raised by Senator Ó Murchú of the invitation to Pope Benedict to come to the Eucharistic Congress, this significant event is taking place in Ireland and all Members would be delighted were Pope Benedict to visit Ireland as part of a healing process for many Catholics who have been seriously hurt by the Church's inactivity and inability to deal with issues over the years. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: I support the call by my colleague, Senator Healy Eames, for a discussion with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, on rural schools, DEIS schools and the loss of career guidance counsellor positions. The controversy that has erupted in regard to the salaries of senior academics is indicative of the need for the Government to examine the position of very highly paid...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to examine this issue and to facilitate a debate in the House in the near future in regard to the contribution of the most highly paid within the public service and the semi-State sector?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: I echo the comments of Senators Kelly and Ó Murchú regarding the fair deal scheme. It is well designed but the major issue is the delay in arriving at decisions. Clarification is needed on whether the delays result from a lack of funding or from administrative difficulties within the HSE because families are being landed with large bills from private nursing homes while patients await...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Mullins: I, too, extend best wishes for 2012 to the Cathaoirleach and my colleagues. I concur with Senator Landy on the issue of medical cards. We are all aware that the service is in crisis. Those of us who were members of Health Service Executive forums two or two and a half years ago warned that this problem was likely to occur. Unfortunately, we must make the system that is in place work. I...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State and wish her and the Taoiseach well in their efforts with European leaders to bring some stability to the eurozone. We should reflect on how important the euro has been to our country over the past two decades. Our membership of the Union has been central to the creation of a modern Irish economy. It was responsible for the rapid period of growth over the...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: This must be balanced with its importance in allowing business to invest in expansion and broadening our export markets through increasing their ability to do business. The EU and the ECB have provided a lifeline to our financial system during this once in a century financial crisis. There may be criticism of the ECB policy but it cannot be disputed that, without the support of the ECB, our...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: I join with colleagues in thanking the hard-working staff in Leinster House who have made it easy for all of us new Senators to slot into the organisation and for the fantastic courtesy we receive from everybody in the House. I marvel at the volumes of work the Seanad team process each day and the long hours they work. I have spoken to many people about the family unfriendly nature of...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: I welcome to the House the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Dinny McGinley.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: Senators should confine themselves to discussing section 7.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: We are discussing section 7 and Senator Ó Clochartaigh is addressing section 7.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: I call Senator Katherine Zappone.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Michael Mullins: I call Senator Paschal Mooney.