Results 5,621-5,640 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator may not believe the statistics but I do. It is wonderful that we are aware of the number of people per hospital who are awaiting admission to wards. We did not have that information in the past and, in my view, it is a good idea that it be provided. I agree with Senator Fitzgerald. The Minister stated that she is conducting an audit in respect of entry to second level schools....

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Members are all full of bright ideas.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It is far better that there should be an excess of numbers on the register in order that people will have an opportunity to vote. If a person moves house and his or her name is not added to the register in respect of his or her new address, there is no cross-reference. By law, it is the duty of a county or town council to prepare the register. It appears that, for a long period, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: They are not under-resourced. It is good that Senator Bannon is anxious about the electorate. That is very noble of him. I share his nobility in that regard. The Senator also requested the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to come before the House. The Minister is abroad on business at present. However, when he returns, we will invite him to...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Statements on Domestic Violence, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply no later than ten minutes before the conclusion of the statements;...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: He was talking about the Opposition.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the provisions of the Criminal Justice Acts on mandatory minimum sentencing and the response to a question put by a Member of the other House which indicated that the mandatory minimum sentence was not imposed in 90% of cases. The Senator also called for a debate on the report of the Barr tribunal, which I will address later. Senator O'Toole said that when previous...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The question of whether the laws we pass on mandatory minimum sentences are not being observed is a serious one. I do not know whether judges themselves consider such laws to be improper. Senator O'Toole, in commenting on the groceries order, outlined how DVDs and CDs can be cheaper in large multiples such as Tesco. Owners of corner shops and other small traders are going out of business,...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I spoke of a hypothetical situation where such a Government was elected. The Tánaiste's use of words was brilliant, since that is exactly what would happen; we would be firmly handcuffed to mediocrity. Senator Brian Hayes can laugh away.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I will reply to the Senator and ignore all the silly laughter.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not hero-worship anyone.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I thought that the Tánaiste's remarks displayed a very good use of English, as well as being true. The Senator also raised extraordinary rendition, and I agree with his distaste at the full report being leaked before the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was able to give evidence before the committee that produced it. That falls far short of fair play.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I agree that when the report is issued by the European Parliament committee, we should debate it in the House. That would be the proper thing to do. The Senator said that he wished the truth to emerge. I listened to the debate on RTE this morning, in the course of which neither participant covered himself in glory. Senator Glynn raised mandatory sentencing, on which he seeks a debate. He...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It is very difficult to get senior Ministers to attend. I could list on one hand those who come willingly, but for those who will not or cannot come, or make excuses, I would require two. I know that Senator Bannon often seeks a debate on the report into the Abbeylara incident, and Senator Hayes requested a debate on the Barr report this morning. There is also a third report. The Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: We bow collectively when we meet Senator Henry. Senator White also raised the human rights issue of rendition, about which she is very annoyed. It is a credit to her that she is so worked up about it. Senator Coghlan requested a debate on sentencing and also raised the future of small towns and villages. Senator Feighan said that the horse had bolted on that debate, since he used to sell...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, who has been very consistent with his attention and diligence to this aspect of his brief. We received very good documentation from Women's Aid and Amen. I am disappointed a spirit of hostility is apparent in some of the documentation we received from Amen regarding supports and help for Women's Aid. That is not the way it should be. If...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It pinpointed Galway and the midlands. The midlands is a vast area and I suggest Athlone should be chosen. I ask the Minister of State to revert to me on the matter. Senator Norris spoke about physical abuse involving being struck by golf clubs, which indicates a particular social stratum in society, thrown against a wall, being hit by a hammer, burnt with an iron — perhaps that was...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2006: Order for Second Stage (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (29 Nov 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Bill and the Minister of State. It is a technical Bill because it gives domestic legal effect to the exchange of letters but if that was all there was to be said it would be sterile. It is not, however, sterile because it allows the continuation of the Special European Union Programmes Body, SEUPB, under another name. Those programmes have made a great difference to life in...