Results 3,061-3,080 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not call that cherry-picking; I call it a good forward-looking step to embrace different backgrounds in this House. I do not call it cherry-picking; I call it an excellent move. There is a package and a committee has been set up to deal with it and the Senator knows that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Exactly. The Senator just wants his own way. Senator Norris asked that the full terms be included in the debate. I wish to inform the House that we have gone to extraordinary lengths and we hope to have the Taoiseach here if the time issue can be resolved. Senator Norris also referred to the report on the bullying of gay students and spoke about the doctor who told him of the experience. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am coming to that. A document issued last autumn during the talks in Leeds Castle fully addressed the issue of those who are on the run. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that a vacuum is dangerous. He also stated that, as part of Seanad reform, Senators would be honoured to be joined by people from diverse political persuasions. Senator Quinn referred to the need for a debate and called for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: We are steps away from peace and should be steady and mature in what we say.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ross referred to the need for a debate. He also said that one of the strengths of the House is its ability to embrace different viewpoints and people from diverse backgrounds. Senator Bannon called for a debate on Northern Ireland. He also requested that the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, come before the House to debate the five remaining culverts on...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It is incredible.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: That is nice.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Next Tuesday at 11.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, a referral motion, to be taken without debate, whereby the subject matter of No. 7 on today's Order Paper is being referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food for consideration. These regulations concern a reduction in the disease levies applied to milk delivery for processing and cattle slaughtered or exported to facilitate the eradication of TB...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. I understand that it is a short Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not know about that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: No other time was available.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the citizenship issue, which I understand is before Cabinet today for discussion and, I hope, decision. The issue relates to the parents of Irish children having to leave the country and bring their children with them, or worse, leave the children behind. The Senator asked whether the matter would be decided by legislation or by...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator also referred to due process and to names being published in newspapers when cases have not been heard. One would be damned if this happened because people would say there was no smoke without fire. Senator Bohan referred to the significant increase in toll charges. While many say we must simply put up with this, we should not. It is a Joe Duffy issue if ever there was one. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Good.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I would call it dangerous. Senator Henry raised the issues of citizenship and work visas for spouses. The point was well made that a worker does not exist as a solitary unit; a worker nearly always has a spouse or partner, and children. If non-EU workers have families they should be able to accompany them here. Senator Dooley referred to the same matter, asking for the spouses of non-EU...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Quinn referred to ID cards and asked about introducing legislation on knives. Senator Ó Murchú also asked about the anti-knives campaign, while Senator Quinn appeared to think that such legislation had been proposed. I cannot recollect if that is so but I will inquire about it. The matter needs to be highlighted again. Senator McHugh said that young gardaí should wear protective...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: And women. I used the term generically. Senator Ross referred to the West-Link toll bridge charges, which I think is a case of pure greed. The bridge operators have benefited hugely from the increase in motor traffic anyway but that is not good enough — they must double it up and get another 50 cent per vehicle. Senator Brennan raised the matter of escalating ESB costs and sought a debate...