Results 4,741-4,760 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: A few days absence gives everybody great tongues. Senator Brian Hayes expressed his appreciation for the apology of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for his frenzied remarks. It stands to the credit of both Members that the apology was made and graciously accepted. They both said they had not slept and neither did Deputy Rabbitte. They are all having a difficult time. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator commented on a particular airline owner who thought he had died and gone to heaven. It was a lovely remark and the sanest I have heard him make.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: No, that he had gone to heaven.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It was a nice remark. I am delighted that the horse owned by him and his lovely wife won. Senator Norris raised the matters of Iraq, Israel, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and how there is no transparency in how the tribunal reaches its decisions. I do not understand either. I wrote to the council previously but never received a reply. Senator Hanafin spoke about the sugar beet industry and how...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. Senator Ross asked for a debate on the privatisation of Aer Lingus and supported Ministers travelling around the world for St. Patrick's Day. He said that we are a small open economy that must trade, with which I agree. It was a silly argument to make that Ministers should not go as they do a lot of work. There is no pattern of fun, as Ministers must go from one appointment to another,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, was present and the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, was in charge of us all.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Feighan was also pleased, as were we all, that St. Patrick's Day passed off peacefully. Senator MacSharry called for a debate on youth affairs, which would be very useful as it is never debated here. We only condemn those youths who go off the rails. Senator O'Brien defended the Minister for Agriculture and Food, with all her abilities and charms, in gallant style. We hope to invite...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is Nos. 1, 2 and 23. No. 1, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Committee Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 4 p.m.; No. 2, the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Second Stage, to be taken at 4 p.m. until 5 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Do not tell me.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator is correct in that one cannot get a reply from the tribunal.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: With people such as the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Did the Senator watch last week's "Late Late Show"?

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: As I do.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: There were barges on the Shannon.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I will investigate the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: He did.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: He was not there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes stated that we were at the start of the longest running election campaign but I thought it started a long time ago. It certainly did in my case. It is a very long campaign and I hope we all keep our heads.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes then referred to RTE, which he described as being bullied. I never found RTE staff to be susceptible to being bullied. They are well able to look after themselves and RTE provides a great service, which is grounded in reality, knowledge and an awareness of the public service remit. I agree with the Senator's point on the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. All these bodies are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: They feel no obligation to reply or to explain decisions. Some state that they have never allowed an appeal. Imagine an appeal board that never allows an appeal. A debate on refugees, the bodies that deal with them and how members of these bodies are elected would be welcome. I never refused a debate with Senator O'Toole.