Results 661-680 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today shall be No. 1, a procedural item which relates to No. 3 on the Order Paper and sets out the arrangements for dealing with statements on the Convention on the Future of Europe, with Proinsias De Rossa, MEP, giving a statement for up to 30 minutes, while statements from spokespersons will be five minutes and Members may ask questions; No. 2, Local Government Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Next week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Where is the Senator going? (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: That would have been very difficult.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator knows the commissioner, does he not?

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I know him

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes proposed an amendment to which many speakers referred which requests the advice of the Attorney General regarding the constitutionality of the Local Government Bill 2003. I am happy to concur with Senator Mansergh on this issue. In my many years of experience at Cabinet I know that the Attorney General's advice is sought on all legislation. No Minister would rush ahead...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes was not silent today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: There is a provision in the Freedom of Information Act for a review after a certain period. That is what the amending legislation will do. There is one aspect to this I do not understand. Many Senators, especially Senator Ryan, repeatedly inquired about the amending legislation. Senator Ryan had my head beaten in looking for it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Now that the legislation is being brought forward, Senators do not appear to want to deal with it. It is odd.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I try to have legislation initiated in the House and, when I achieve this, Senators do not want to discuss it. Senator O'Toole agreed with Senator Brian Hayes about the Local Government Bill and believed there would be a constitutional challenge to it. Anyone can challenge anything.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I have explained that the Attorney General gives advice on all legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No. It has never been published. The former Taoiseach, Deputy John Bruton, who is a member of the Senator's party, made a definitive statement in the Dáil on the matter when some of us pressed him on it. Senator O'Toole raised an important matter concerning public private partnerships. He was correct in stating agreement had been reached concerning the Cork School of Music when officials...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole is correct to say the Minister for Finance is wholeheartedly in favour of such developments. I do not know of any Minister who is not because it means he or she will achieve progress on projects. I always believed there was a secret room in the Department of Finance in which lurked a person who was not in favour of public private partnerships. The sooner we obtain full...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: All Opposition Members agree with him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am following up on the data retention issue Senator Ryan raised and will report my findings to the House. Senator Ryan also raised the issue of the rezoning of land by Loughrea councillors, a matter about which Senator Kitt informed me two days ago. While I do not know the full details, clearly it must be examined. On the amending freedom of information legislation, it was implicit that a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Jim Walsh raised the important matter of insurance liability and the need for a debate on it. He asked if legislation was proposed for the sector. I do not know but the debate is important and necessary. I will ask the Tánaiste if it will be possible to include it in the debate on competition which Senator O'Toole sought and which she will attend. Senator Finucane agreed with Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I will inquire into the matter. I did not think it was within her powers. Senator O'Meara said there should be no rush towards amending the Freedom of Information Act. There is no such rush. Senators sought the amending legislation. I fail to understand what is the problem.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We will when we get the Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes said Senators would be going to the four corners of the earth. I wish they would tell me where they were going. We cannot get to go anywhere. If Senator Brian Hayes is going somewhere, he should bring a few of us with him.