Results 4,761-4,780 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Ministers of all persuasions have agreed to contribute to radio shows on the condition that Senator O'Toole is not contributing. I refer not only to Senator O'Toole but am using him as an example of people like him, who bring so much colour to RTE.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole also raised the matter of freight transport. Senator Mansergh pointed out that freight transport is very expensive and if its provision is to be considered by Government a major subsidy would be required. I recall having this debate with the Department of Finance and others and it could never be justified as those who were sending the goods would not pay increased rates....

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: CIE and the Department of Finance agreed on this matter. Neither wanted freight rail transport and they would have returned to the days of barges on the River Shannon if possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Rail freight transport merits a debate and we will invite the Minister for Transport to the House. I was not aware of the announcement by Guinness, which is retrograde. Senator Ryan referred to the RTE interview but I do not think Deputy McDowell is running from Deputy Rabbitte. Perhaps the poor dears will have more sleepless nights. It is very sad that they cannot sleep.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I advise them to put their heads on the pillow and get on with it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator asked for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to attend this House. The voices urging him to attend the House are overwhelming and I am sure he will. Senator Ryan also claimed the Department of Finance wanted to close down railways and he is quite right. It also wishes to close down CIE. From my time as a novice Cabinet member I remember a proposal that all trains...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: One could only travel from Dublin to the bridge of Athlone. Where one went after that was one's own business. Senator Dardis is very frisky today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: John Wilson was the Minister for Transport and the proposal was dismissed. The proposal is indicative of the view of the Department of Finance. Senator Ryan also raised the matter of pollution in our waterways. Senator Leyden called for legislation on charitable collections. The Polish man to whom the Senator referred, Damian, gathered €11,000. He was very industrious.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I would not be inclined to condemn him as he was very industrious. The judge said he was in the wrong business and that he should have been out with Damian. I welcome the visitors to the Gallery.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan called for a clear national policy on rail freight and referred to a report that suggested Irish people are more prone than others to money laundering. He also referred to 20 casinos masquerading as clubs. A loophole exists in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which the Minister hopes to close. I concur with Senator Glynn's commendation of the Medical Council. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Mansergh condemned the heavy-handed political approach to RTE. He pointed out that RTE gives an independent public service, and I agree. On the front page of today's edition of The Irish Times, which my colleague showed me, RTE denied it was given an ultimatum by the Minister that he would not appear if Deputy Rabbitte appeared. We must take RTE's word for it. Senator Mansergh spoke...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Meara spoke on RTE's important role in our democracy, with which I agree. When somebody asked me what my favourite radio programme was I said it was the news. The person thought it was odd. We get a good news service covering all angles. Senator O'Meara wants the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come here and I hope he will do so. We will tell him it is overwhelming....

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I agree with Senator Bannon's comments on the Barr tribunal. I have some knowledge of Abbeylara and some of its people. They wished the report would be issued and the matter could be debated. It has been a long time since the report on the sad case of Mr. Carthy of Abbeylara was signed off. I will endeavour to find out what the delay is because in so doing I will find out for myself too....

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Nobody I know said a word about that. If Senator Coonan wants to pose as their saviour that is fine but he need not blame us for putting the opposite case because we said nothing about them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I recognise that SenatorCoonan's nominating body was the Irish Road Haulage Association. Was it not?

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Very good.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion. (22 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is Nos. 1, 2 and 3. No. 1, the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m.; No. 2, motion for earlier signature of the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006, to be taken without debate immediately on the conclusion of No. 1;...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: We all received one.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Finucane raised the issue of high ESB bills which people have been receiving. The thrust of his argument was that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, of which he is a member, is doing a report without sight of that which the Minister has had for some time. No matter what the Minister's report contains, it would be good if it was published....