Results 2,741-2,760 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: He did express his wish to be Cathaoirleach on one occasion when he was bringing us into the House. Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, said that the Ombudsman, Ms O'Reilly, had stated her office should be included in the Constitution for the sake of its independence. He was equally concerned about expanding the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman. That is a matter for the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator referred to the proposed Italian EU Commissioner, Signor Buttiglione. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but not where it would cut across one's duty. The Senator also referred to motion No. 13 on which the Cathaoirleach ruled. Senator Dooley asked for a debate on Aer Lingus. I will endeavour to get the Minister for Transport to come to the House to debate the matter. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Phelan referred to stealth charges. He requested that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come to the House to debate the change, if any, in community employment schemes. He also asked for a debate with the Minister for Transport on the roads programme. Senator Mansergh, in his pursuit of the finance spokespersonship, said that we have the lowest tax rates in Europe and...

Seanad: Committee of Selection: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order 83 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Senator Ulick Burke be discharged from membership of the Committee of Selection at his own request and Senator Maurice Cummins be appointed in substitution for him.

Seanad: Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann: —expresses its serious concern, and that of the Irish people, at the abduction of Mrs. Margaret Hassan in Baghdad yesterday; —notes that Mrs. Hassan was born in Ireland and has spent the last 30 years in Iraq devoting herself to humanitarian work on behalf of the Iraqi people; —calls for her immediate release and the release of all hostages in Iraq;...

Seanad: Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I echo the call of other Members, thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, for coming to the House and add my support to the motion. Having attended some of the Order of Business in the Dáil yesterday, I felt it extremely important that the two Houses of the Oireachtas should combine to voice an appeal for Mrs. Hassan's immediate release. Nobody who has seen her on...

Seanad: Matter raised under Standing Order 30. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I believe I have the right to reply briefly on the procedure.

Seanad: Matter raised under Standing Order 30. (21 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank Senator Brian Hayes for using a little-used mechanism to raise an issue such as this. I will certainly consider having it debated in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, statements on the second report of the strategic task force on alcohol, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business until 5 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes; and No. 18, motion No. 16, to be taken from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: There is no job for him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes declared this a good day for the European Parliament and I agree. The Members of the European Parliament have rights and they exercised them. Others would wish they did not but the general feeling in this Chamber is that we were glad they did. The Senator sought a debate on the European issue. He also said he was glad that the Commission President blinked rather than the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The by-elections are off, Senator Walsh. Senator Norris also raised the matter of domestic partnerships. I know the Senator's Bill will soon be available and that he has received help on the matter from other parties in the Houses. The Senator also referred to those earning over €1 million per annum while paying no tax and contrasted this with the proposal on the special savings incentive...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: One can have it whatever way one likes, but not in the Chamber. On that note, I congratulate Senator McHugh, who I understand has become engaged. Senator Coghlan asked about the review which recommended the setting up of another public safety agency. I do not know what happened regarding that recommendation but I will inquire into it. Senator Mooney supported Senator Ó Murchú and mentioned...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I apologise to the Cathaoirleach, the Members who tabled the Private Members' motion and the Opposition and Government spokespersons. It is unprecedented behaviour for a Minister to leave the House unattended for up to 20 minutes. I will make a formal complaint to the Taoiseach's office about the said Minister. I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It is disgraceful behaviour.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2000 — Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 11.30 a.m.; and No. 2, statements on planning and related issues (resumed) to be taken at 11.30 a.m. until 1 p.m.; with the contributions of Senators not to exceed ten minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, spoke about Private Members' business last night, regarding which I apologised to the Cathaoirleach on all our behalves. He asked for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, to come to discuss the proliferation of accidents on the Luas lines, saying that there should be better signage and policing between now and Christmas. His point is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator wants the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, to attend to talk about the Luas facilities. Senator Ó Murchú referred to Yasser Arafat, making a case for him and saying that, were he brought out to receive proper care, he might not be allowed back. That is a terrible thing to say to someone who is clearly severely ill. We will raise that at the highest level in the Government....

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: We are reading about it all the time. The Senator asked that there be unambiguous protection for gardaí who are being attacked in circumstances where they would not have been attacked heretofore. Senator Quinn raised the metro and the road to Dundalk which, he is correct in saying, is a most magnificent stretch. When we go looking for votes for the EU constitution, we should be pointing up...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (28 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: With the agreement of the House, I propose to alter the Order of Business to allow Report Stage to continue until 11.45 a.m.