Results 4,101-4,120 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Morrissey's points are very fair, nonetheless. Senator Michael Finucane asked that the labour inspectorate be strengthened, particularly in the area of language skills for inspectors who are dealing with immigrants. He also raised the matter of ESB standing charges, which are €94 for those living in rural areas and €52 for those in urban areas. Many people in rural housing estates...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I agree, but we have had examples of sectarianism here. I will seek agreement with the leaders on the all-party motion. Senator Ross called for a debate on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and made specific reference to the fact that auditors twice overlooked €2 million in the NRA accounts. He also called for the legislation on auctioneers to be introduced in Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Dooley would like to discuss the serviced land initiative with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government because it is fine to have guidelines for planning, but if there are no services for houses, planning permission is redundant. Senator O'Meara is concerned about the plans of the HSE to organise hospital care around a smaller number of centres. She also raised...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Meara is seeking an explanation of the fund. Senator Browne raised the matter of the role of the Government in the debate on health. People in glass houses should not throw stones. People have different ways of expressing themselves ——

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We do not intend to listen to the Senator talking about the Taoiseach in that fashion. Senator Terry also raised the matter of Women's Aid and I hope she heard my earlier comments on the matter. I know that she has always been very supportive of that organisation. She also raised the matter of delays in An Post deliveries. I live 100 yards from the sorting office but only get one delivery per...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I would not agree with the State paying masses of salaries, pension rights and so forth for teachers or others who work in the area of pre-school education as it would impose a very large burden on the State. I accept many of the Senator's points, including those he made last week, as they were relevant. However, I also accept that masses of tax breaks based on the general written and oral...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I am wary whenever history and social attitudes ask women to work. During the wars, women were needed to work in the munitions factories and elsewhere but as soon as the wars ended they were told to go back home. I would be wary of seeing women as economic ciphers with that purpose alone even though people are needed in the workforce. Senators Ross and O'Toole have two worthy motions on the...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Infants and young children are very complex human beings going through major changes in their lives. People are hauling themselves out of their homes every morning and back every evening, making themselves collapse with tiredness, running out to get a Chinese ready-to-eat dinner or take-away, drinking a large glass of red wine, going to bed and starting the whole rigmarole the next morning....

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Today it is called children's benefit instead of children's allowance, which is an old-fashioned term. Is this correct?

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The escalation in this allowance was very welcome when it happened. I do not know what the Government-appointed gurus are coming up with or what great solutions they will provide. I can certainly prophesise here that whatever solution they come up with, there will be an aggrieved portion of the electorate which will not like it. The mother or father who elects to stay at home must be looked...

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Before outlining the Order of Business, I wish to comment on the arrangements for this afternoon. The Taoiseach will be here from 12.45 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. and the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Tom Kitt, will be here from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. I am anxious that the spokesperson of each group has a chance to speak when the Taoiseach is present so that he can hear...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: There is no such thing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I neglected to say that Members can share their time during the debate in the early afternoon. Senator Brian Hayes raised the issue of tribunals. I know he raised the legislation on tribunals as a lead-in to his major point but I have the information about legislation on tribunals of inquiry with me. It will be published during this session by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We will invite the Minister of State to attend the House because the Senator wanted to raise other matters with him. The Senator also mentioned the issue of Irish Ferries. Senator Finucane spoke about consultants. I recognise that he raised the matter last week as acting leader of the Opposition, before it had reached its present crescendo. He called into question the comments made by the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will not be provoked. Senator Henry asked about the medical practitioners Bill. The urgent date now mooted seems to be mid-2006, which is not much comfort to the Senator. Senator Mansergh requested a debate on the competency within the public service and the use of outside consultancies. I do not know how all of that could be managed in a debate but it is a useful suggestion which was also...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We are not allowed to talk about Senator Leyden's suggestion. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges decides who we invite to the House but we will bear the Senator's suggestion in mind. Are they going to sing or just come along?

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon mentioned the price of fuel in the economy. I am equally concerned about the price of fuel for elderly people. Their fuel allowance is a fixed sum that does not even approach the price of a bag of coal. The Department of Social and Family Affairs must consider this in the context of the budget. Senator Bannon suggests dropping the tax take on fuel but that would simply be an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Following on Senator Mansergh's point, Senator Maurice Hayes made a thoughtful contribution about building up capacity in the Civil Service. He suggested buying the competency into a Department, even if only on a contract basis. He also said there are computer glitches around the world. I had a feeling computers were not everything they were made out to be. Like Senator Terry, I was alarmed...