Results 2,561-2,580 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It is a strange one. One can go out and get drunk and then return home and engage in violence if one is so inclined. I do not see the connection. The matter of the awards system was also raised and if it were an Irish system it would be a different matter. I am merely conveying my own view on this and do not wish to belittle the honour Mr. O'Kennedy is to receive.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, he has put a lot of effort into his political life. People have different views on the matter of honours. This House was laudatory yesterday about the contributions of Senators Ross and O'Toole regarding the review of auctioneering which has been established following input from them and from Senator Scanlon. I thank the Senators for their insistence that such a review be established.

Seanad: Electoral Act 1997: Motion. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the Electoral Act 1997 (section 53) Order 2004 and the Presidential Election (Reimbursement of Expenses) Regulations 2004, copies of which, in draft, were laid before Seanad Éireann on 6th July, 2004.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I will see if something can be done about that.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I shall make inquiries and return to the House with an answer on that point.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Some Senators have requested extra time for this debate. That is a matter for the House, if it is willing to amend Standing Orders, but the Minister of State has kindly said she will work through from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and I hope the officials will do the same if the House agrees. We are dealing with a Bill at 12 p.m. which hopefully will provide a sos if it does not last an hour. I propose...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank all those concerned for working through the sos and for giving permission to do so. At 2 p.m. a question will be put from the Chair to conclude Committee Stage of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Barron Report: Statements. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Jim Walsh was the only Member of this House to sit on the sub-committee and we are delighted about that.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the proceedings on Committee Stage of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. by one question which will be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down by the Government.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, a motion regarding the designation of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service as the authorised committee for the purposes of section 32(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, to be taken without debate; No. 2, Civil Liability and Courts Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] — Report and Final Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Minister and the Senator were vibrant to the end.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon would be my chef de cabinet.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes mentioned the recurring theme that "the law is the law, and we live by it". Everyone agrees that no encouragement should be given to those who seek to break the law. The Senator's point was valid and it caught the mood of the House. He also asked about a debate on the enterprise strategy next week but I agree with subsequent speakers that it should be kept for the autumn...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: He mentioned that the Ombudsman appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. It was a startling revelation that the money brought in by the new charges for freedom of information requests does not cover the costs involved, which seems ludicrous. The Senator also asked about the State Airports Bill. I tabled a question to the Office of the Attorney General this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: No, I am just trying to explain that we had a discussion. Following that, the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, told us that in the early autumn he wishes to recommit the Dormant Accounts Bill to Committee Stage, after which Report and Final Stages will be taken. It was a rare occurrence but it was worthwhile and greatly acclaimed by those who were present when the Minister took that decision....

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not know if that is so, but I will make inquiries about it. It would be a serious matter if it were the case. Senator Norris also mentioned the fact that the money charged for freedom of information requests does not cover the costs involved. Senator Bannon sought a debate on the BMW Objective One region. I will take the Senator as my chef de cabinet. Would that not be lovely? We would...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Meara requested a debate on the report of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, referred to in No. 1 on the Order Paper. She also requested a debate on dyslexia, which would be interesting. We previously debated the issue of autism which ran for a number of sessions, the notes from which the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim...

Seanad: Freedom of Information Act 1997: Motion. (8 Jul 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service is hereby authorised by Seanad Éireann for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 to be the joint committee referred to in section 32(2) of that Act and to discharge the functions of such committee.