Results 3,601-3,620 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Many contributors this morning spoke about suicide, on which we had a debate on 27 February 2003. As it has been two years since then and in light of everything that has happened since, we will endeavour to schedule another debate. I note that many speakers said they wanted the debate to be informed and coherent. Senator Brian Hayes referred to the national debate on suicide seven years ago,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I suggest the Senator consults the relevant Seanad debate. I remember distinctly the previous Minister stating here that any overhanging debt at Cork and Shannon would be subsumed into Dublin. It is on the record of the House. As Senator Ryan suggested, we should get clarification. If the debt is subsumed into Dublin, it will place a heavy burden on the airport and make things very difficult...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: All culture-mongers will go to Cork. Senator Maurice Hayes called for a debate on suicide and concurred with Senator Ryan's comments on Dr. Adam. Senator O'Meara raised the issue of child care. While Dr. Robin Eames was careful to hedge his statements, I received the impression from him that mothers should be at home.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I note his view but do not agree with it. A call was made for information on measures for the prevention of suicide. Senator Scanlon congratulated Senator O'Toole on his appointment as vice-chairman of the PIAB and raised the issue of exit taxes on people disposing of SSIAs within three months. The rush on these accounts will be such that no money will remain in them. Senator Feighan noted...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: A little culture is good.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Can the Senator quote any more lines from the poem?

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator White made the point that there is too much emphasis on academic matters and not enough on sports. She called for a national sports campus. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, announced yesterday that the plans for the campus will be published within a few weeks. Senator Ross declared himself dazzled by Senator White's erudition. He is not lacking in that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will not ask him to come in for such a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, I would invite him in to debate Northern Ireland because he has specific responsibilities in that area. We must remember that Deputy Bertie Ahern is the Taoiseach of the country and it behoves him to ——

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: It is right that the Taoiseach would have an interest in everything.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: If the Taoiseach were to answer every such call, where would he end up?

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: "That one small head could carry all he knew." Senator Ó Murchú expressed solidarity with Dr. Adam and his fight for democracy and freedom. Senator Kitt raised the issue of Iraq and Dr. Adam. He also praised the Minister for Transport for his enlightened view on the west of Ireland.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Minister and the organisation in question are very close.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Is it half empty or half full?

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Particularly his poetic ones.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister to the House and suggest that he can forget about airport terminals and Aer Rianta as if he does this correctly it will be a lasting monument to him. He has the innovation, energy and ingenuity required to deal with it, as we all know that a Minister will never have a "one-size" solution to fit or please everybody. We are not yet demographically in a crisis situation...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Fair enough. Why not allow people to work by choice until 70? I concur with Senator Ryan that there is an underlying theme in the ether, though it is not perpetuated by the Minister, that older people will become a significant bother. One feels almost like saying, "If that is the case, why not bump them all off?" People tut and indicate that they will have to take strong measures to address...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not intend to obey people who say, "Put your feet up, dear" while I have strength, energy and know-how. I hate the use of the word "dear".

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The people who called me said they never thought they would cheer the Minister but they are doing so. He may take it as a compliment or not. The Minister's initiative is a very positive one and I will be his pin-up woman for it. I will adorn his next book if he wants me to. The Minister spoke also about SSIAs. We speak in the House from a position of privilege as we are all in State pension...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I accept that. Strong language will have to be used to encourage young people to take out pensions. A combination of Government employees and individuals are involved. I was horrified by the comments of the nice man who is head of the Small Firms Association who said pensions had nothing to do with his members. While one would think from his comments that employees were robots, they are real...