Results 2,121-2,140 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I can tell Senator Ryan that whoever else's pocket RTE is in it is certainly not in the pocket of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: To be truthful, I do not think RTE is in anyone's pocket, but it is certainly not in ours.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ryan said that unions have a right to state their point of view. I agree with that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I would like us to have a debate on transport.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I will endeavour to arrange for the Minister to come into the House for such a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I can only use the powers available to me which are not very strong. However, it would help to clear up matters if we had such a debate. Senator Ryan talked about the Department of Finance and who had financial responsibility for it. I have found over the years that the people there are extremely stringent and they run Departments and themselves very well. Revenue issues were discussed last...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: That is not taking from the Tánaiste, who is an excellent person, her excellent party and the excellent friends we all are. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Finucane raised the threat of terrorism in London and the concern about Sellafield, echoing what Senator Brian Hayes said. I will endeavour to get a list of those measures which have yet to be implemented by law or by ministerial order. Senator Ormonde raised the matter of the concert being cancelled. Following a request last week in the House, we spent most of a day trying to contact...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It is because of the very good partnership arrangement between the parties. Of course it is not a cut and dried, Cinderella or happy ever after scenario. How could it be with the varying aspirations and ambitions of the different parties involved? Nonetheless, social partnership is strong, steady and must be maintained as such. I cannot speak strongly enough in its defence and I fully adhere...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon requested a debate on transport. On a passing note, the Department has advertised on two or three occasions for driving instructors but there have been no responses. Candidates for the posts are not coming forward.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Feighan referred to the cut in funding to county enterprise boards. I know the enterprise boards have been hugely successful on a county level. Senator John Paul Phelan requested a debate on anti-terrorism issues.

Seanad: Smoking Ban: Motion (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Indeed you do.

Seanad: Smoking Ban: Motion (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister of State. This is a fine Bill, for which the Minister for Health and Children is to be praised. In the past six months there has been animosity towards him from vintners and members of political parties who saw fit to ask the Minister what he was doing and suggest he was getting too big for his boots, and so on. Nonetheless, the Minister stuck up for himself, stiffened...

Seanad: Smoking Ban: Motion (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Why would she not? She has every right to be. When a male friend of mine who is a solicitor in Athlone comes to my house, he puffs non stop. He empties his own ashtray, which is fine and well he might. However, I have recently remarked when I come into the living room the following morning that I have to open all the windows. If I have a candle on the night I will light it, which helps to...

Seanad: Smoking Ban: Motion (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Having congratulated and thanked the Minister for his Cork tenacity and the determination he showed in the face of much opposition from many sources, one must reflect that it is great to be the first in Europe to initiate such a good measure. Sky News went to town on its reporting of the smoking ban with interviews for days before hand. It is great that we have taken a positive, pro-active...

Seanad: Smoking Ban: Motion (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Let not the zeal and crusading spirit of the Minister for Health and Children go to his head altogether. Nevertheless, we are here to talk about the smoking ban. One cigarette is bad and will do injury to one's health. It will take many years for the beneficial health effects to be seen but the nation's health will be better because of this measure. We will be a healthier and stronger people...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the high level of alcohol consumption by young people, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 12.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons at 15 minutes and other Senators ten minutes, and Members may share time. The Minister will be called upon to reply no later than five minutes before the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which advised that if there was to be a referendum, all Deputies and Senators should have the opportunity to speak if they so wished and that there should be 30 days' prior notice, and asked about the position of the referendum. No Government decision on the date for a referendum has been made. The Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator also raised the situation in accident and emergency departments and the cases of elderly people who had to wait a long time to be admitted, coupling that with the closure of some of the facilities in Peamount Hospital. As soon as the Minister for Health and Children has time, we will request that he attends a general debate in the House. Senator Norris has also been asking for...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris is the only Member present from his group but he is making up for all his colleagues.