Results 61-80 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Charities and Voluntary Organisations: Statements (8 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: I thank the Senator for raising the issue this morning on the Order of Business and I acknowledge and thank the Leader for acceding to the request to have a discussion this evening on the role charitable organisations play in this country. It is appropriate at this time of year to acknowledge the huge amount of voluntary work being done by so many people throughout the country who are...

Seanad: Charities and Voluntary Organisations: Statements (8 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: On a number of occasions in recent months, I referred to the emergency department at University Hospital Galway, UHG, being unfit for purpose and I am particularly pleased the Taoiseach reiterated my comments in this regard in the Dáil yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: The facility was originally designed to cater for approximately 100 people per day but up to 250 people now access the facility on a daily basis. During a recent visit to the hospital the leader of Fianna Fáil shed a lot of crocodile tears about the state of the place but he neglected to explain why, during the boom, no investment was put into the facility. I call on the Minister,...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: It will take some time to bring a new facility on stream, even if the funding is sanctioned in the morning. I hope, therefore, that the management of the hospital will do everything possible - structurally and in the context of the existing facilities there - to alleviate some of the pressure in the emergency department. I welcome the Exchequer returns which, for the first time since 2007,...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: I am impressed with the lovely tributes paid to the Minister, particularly from Senator White in her contribution.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: It is true to say that he has done a remarkable job as Minister since he assumed office in 2011. I pay tribute to him and to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin. Between them they have held the Government together.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: They have got the ship of State back off the rocks. One measure of the success of the Minister can be garnered from the Exchequer returns at the end of November. They show a surplus of €343 million for the first time since 2007. At the end of November, tax receipts were up 11.9% on the same period last year. One good thing about those figures is that the strong performance is...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: While there are water charges, the benefits they have garnered from the reduction in the VAT rate more than compensate for it. I caution the restaurants association to be careful with that measure. We still have not seen the level of improvement and benefit spreading to some more rural areas. One measure we can all help with coming up to Christmas is to consider shopping locally to boost...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: Senator Mary Ann O'Brien spoke in her contribution about the need to support indigenous businesses as well as rewarding innovation, hard work and risk-taking. I very much support that. The measures being taken in An Action Plan for Jobs will address some of issues. However, from a taxation point of view this is something I know the Minister will keep under close review in future. Another...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: It is true to say that the ship of State has been steadied. Our debt levels are reducing. We are getting to a situation now where we are heading for balanced budgets. I hope the country will continue to grow and prosper. I hope the people make the right decision in several months' time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals and Disability Issues: Discussion (2 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: I thank the witnesses for their positive presentations. That disabilities and so on are included in the SDGs is significant for our guests. I read their submissions briefly. They are doing significant work in some of the most troubled parts of the world. What level of support are they getting from Irish Aid and how has that changed in recent years in light of the worsening humanitarian...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Michael Mullins: I also support the call for a debate on global terrorism, as requested initially by Senator Ó Murchú and supported by Senator Cullinane and others. The appalling situation that is developing worldwide has to be a cause of great concern to us all, particularly the situation in Syria. In the four years since the commencement of the civil war there, 250,000 people have been killed...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: I join my colleagues in wishing happiness and good health to Bernard Hand on his retirement tomorrow. I hope he will have a long and happy retirement. Bernard is a true gentleman, courteous and always good-humoured and he always had great banter with visitors to the House. I hope that in his retirement he will spend some time in east Galway where he visited often during his early years. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: I hope both Houses will unite in the efforts being made to bring about his release and return to his family and education. Yesterday the Road Safety Authority, RSA, the Garda Síochána and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport launched the Christmas-new year road safety campaign. It calls on all drivers to be very drink aware over Christmas. It is frightening that a survey...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who will address the House first and will be followed by group spokespersons.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: The only other spokesperson present is Senator Moloney. She has five minutes. The order of the House is that group spokespersons are given five minutes.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: I now call on the Minister to respond.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: My hands are tied by the Order of Business. What was decided this morning was that group spokespersons would contribute to the debate, with contributions not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Michael Mullins: I can only go by the order of the House. My hands are tied.