Results 2,321-2,340 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: There will then be a different explanatory memorandum.

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for coming before the House.

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Adoptive Leave Bill 2004, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 1.30 p.m., with contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It will be the Cathaoirleach who will suffer.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the Middle East, the Iraq and Israel-Palestine situations, in the light of the frightful atrocities which have been carried out there. I have received word that there will be a full debate in this House next Wednesday on the Middle East. People have every right to put forward a motion, if they wish to do so. It would not...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Senator——

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: We will have the debate next Wednesday. Regarding the comments of Senator O'Toole, the representatives of the parties are meeting the Attorney General today at 4.30 p.m. Some of our questions, clearly, will be addressed, but we have a responsibility as a House which orders its own business. Therefore after the meeting we should regroup and decide on our next step. Senator O'Toole checked on...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Mother knows best. SenatorÓ Murchú referred to Iraq and Israel. I fully agree with what he said about the fact that we can feel helpless as a Chamber in a small country but that should not lead us to speech paralysis on the matter. We have the opportunity to talk and we should do so. Senator Norris praised Bishop Willie Walsh. However, he did say that if President Bush came he should get...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am quite right.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Browne spoke about the gangland shooting in Carlow and the growing drug problem which is not exclusive to the cities. He also spoke about the electoral process. There is so much canvassing going on now that the public is confused with so many people knocking on doors. I hope the result will be a high turn out of voters. Senator Leyden wants the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Terry raised the question of affordable child care. She also mentioned again the razor wire around Farmleigh. I cannot believe the House was told the wire was being taken down and that it is not yet done. I will make a telephone call about it to the office of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Hanafin supported calls for a debate on human rights in the Middle East and spoke about US involvement in Iraq. We will have a debate on the Middle East which I hope will take in all the issues we want to discuss. Senator John Phelan wants the Minister for Transport to come to the House to discuss the plight of the motorist. He thinks car owners and drivers are getting a raw deal....

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for coming to the House to debate this fine legislation. I wish to comment on something Senator Kett said but not in a combative manner because I recognise that he researches his topic and speaks well on any issue. If we should say that equality issues should not apply...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I did not know that; I was a teacher, but that is beside the point. I always thought that while the maternity leave provisions were excellent they discriminated against adoptive parents. Childbirth is a natural process. Fortunately, very few women have difficulty with childbirth. In cases where they do, they are helped medically. In the context of maternity leave, helping a mother to recover...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Who could not?

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: That was a long time ago. I was teaching and was welcomed back, but the Senator can imagine all the fuss and the arrangements that had to be made following one birth and one adoption. At that time when one adopted a child through an adoption agency, one was encouraged to stay at home for a year in order to get to know the child and give it the care it required. It was not mandatory, but it...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I know of a school where it is done.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator threw it out.