Results 3,981-4,000 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002: Motion. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following draft order: Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 (Additional Institutions) Order 2005, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on the 28 June 2005."

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: On a point of information, may I inquire as to progress?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: This morning it was agreed on the Order of Business that we would cease our deliberations on this matter at 1.30 p.m. I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we continue with this matter until 2 p.m.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Does he vote for the Senator?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Roche, to the House. Like Senator McHugh, I am perturbed by the state of the electoral register in the various constituencies. I have first-hand knowledge of my own constituency, but other politicians have told me about the position in their constituencies. I am not sure that I agree with the suggestion in The Sunday Tribune that there are approximately 800,000...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I agree.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Did we try Sunday?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: That is true.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I am heartened by what the Minister has said but I do not know exactly what he has said on how we will go about this, when it will start, what rules will come in and whether it will be in time for the next election——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I had no lunch unfortunately because I was here until 2.20 p.m. When will all that I mentioned happen?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I am. That is more to the point. Town and county councils are not a bit interested in getting the voting register right because that is up to us poor sods out knocking on the doors. I do not think they regard it as part of their job to do this, by way of circulars or whatever.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Good.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Do they regard it as part of their job?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: There is nothing wrong with the back door. Westmeath is playing on Sunday via the back door.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: He was put out.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Indeed.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I have listened with interest to the Minister, and there is no doubt that cynicism abounds regarding such matters as the two Houses rising tomorrow. People ask what we will all be doing for three months, as if we were going to be hunting, fishing and drinking in that order during the period. I wish that some of the cynics who expound that point of view would come and live with me for a week....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (30 Jun 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I would like to pick the person. I wish that they were able to see the amount of work that goes on. That brings me to the relationship between a constituent and an elected representative at local, county or national level. I remember many years ago when I was first elected to the urban council; it was so long ago that I will not bother the Cathaoirleach by saying when. A local reporter asked...