Results 4,501-4,520 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (15 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I wish the Minister the same.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (15 Dec 2005)

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

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will begin by going on the wishes trail. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his good wishes. In return, I wish him and his family a happy and peaceful Christmas. I thank him for his forbearing nature. He kept his sense of humour even when matters became slightly heated, which is very important in his job. I thank all of the parties and the leaders of each group for the various little...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We would not have been deemed to be in session if the flag was not flying. Senator Minihan would be aware of that fact. Finally, I thank the individual members of my and other parties who strove within their best abilities to make the House lively and instructive and gave careful scrutiny to legislation, all of which is important. Yesterday, we had a lovely hour and a half in the House when...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I might take the Senator because the other guy is gone. They have been stalwart partners in this enterprise called the Seanad and I hope everybody and their families have a lovely time together. I know that Members cherish their families.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Do not be so nasty.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Senator for saying that. I did not want to.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Punch and Judy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive. No. 1 is the Development Banks Bill 2005 — all Stages to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons to last ten minutes and the contributions of other Senators to last six minutes, and with the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than five...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes asked for a debate on "on the runs". We made preliminary inquiries to his office about the possibility of the Taoiseach coming to the House this week. As we know, however, EU issues have intervened and all European leaders are engaged with those. I will seek to have such a debate after Christmas. Senator Hayes also referred to the ESRI report on the construction industry....

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. Senator Hayes also referred to the situation in the North where top-up fees mean there is more money available to third level institutions for research and development, which may leave us at a disadvantage. This is a valid point and we discussed the two-year add-on to the three-year degree yesterday. I understand the Senator was not arguing for the return of third level fees. None of us...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I apologise, I meant to say the "single farm payment". Whether the farmers are single or married is immaterial. I suggest that if Senators cannot get through to the Department in Portlaoise, they should telephone the Minister's office. The staff there are very helpful.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: It seems the officials are getting slightly hung up on the minutiae of requirements in regard to the terminology of the application forms and so on. I have received information to the effect that there are queries on such matters as inheritance rights or that forms were not completed correctly in respect of those farmers who have not received their cheques. The extent of the information...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare Bill 2005 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: At 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 January 2006.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is Nos. 1 and 2, motions which implement the increased entitlements to adoptive and maternity leave arising from the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance on 7 December 2005, to be taken without debate; No. 3, statements on a strategy for men's health, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 5 p.m., spokespersons will have 15 minutes and other...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, raised the serious matter of privilege and the private papers of Senators and Deputies. He referred to Senator Higgins and Deputy Howlin. I will seek to have a relevant Minister — possibly the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform — debate this issue in the House. The Senator also asked for a debate on Northern Ireland and I hope to have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It was expected before Christmas, but that did not arise. Senator Ryan expressed his admiration for Deputy Howlin.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jan 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: He also spoke about the amendment to his motion. The Cabinet meeting broke up at 1.45 p.m. and the amendment was printed after that. These motions go the Cabinet table, the relevant Minister puts forward his amendment and it is discussed. The Senator wondered why it took so long as he had his motion in since Thursday, for which I thank him, but we cannot put forward an amendment ourselves. It...