Results 841-860 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is not unbelievable. I am telling the Senator the truth. That is the situation. I can understand the request for a debate on Northern Ireland. I believe great progress was made this week in the talks and I was very pleased to hear both the Minister, Deputy McDowell, and the Taoiseach say that. A debate at this point would not be appropriate but I will think about it. Senator Terry, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is an inflated notion of importance to think that Senator Terry, who is an excellent Senator, contributed to a chasm between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. We stand united. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: He has a healthy colour. Senator O'Toole brought up the same issue as Senator Brian Hayes on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill. I do not mean to be acrimonious but Senator Ryan has a very good way of putting things. I read the Official Report. I said Private Members' Business would conclude not later than 9 p.m. I do not know where the Senator went to school but I know that the word...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot help the Senator if he did not pay attention. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I read the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill. It is a clever Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not know about that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator urged us to read The Star each day, or was it just yesterday?

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senators Lydon and Ryan asked for a debate on the Palestinian issue. Senator Higgins spoke about his experiences in the Middle East. He also referred to the Western Health Board, a matter which would make for a useful Adjournment debate. Senator Ó Murchú raised the need for legislation to deal with ground rents. The Cathaoirleach has ruled we will not discuss the issue raised by Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Minihan has valuable experience of the Middle East. He affirmed what I said that there was no rift, just great friendship between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. Senator Finucane referred to ground rents.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I wondered who would say this on the opposite side but I recall Deputy Woods when we were in opposition and the coalition was in government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No, it was.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Nothing was done about it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator asked that some of the bounty from the sale of Office of Public Works and other sites go towards the building programme for primary schools. I think the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, would agree. Consideration is being given to having the Minister of State at the Department of Fincane, Deputy Parlon, come to the House to discuss the programme relating to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. Senator Coonan referred to Teagasc and the Minister for Agriculture and Food. The closure of Teagasc offices was not announced yesterday. I read about it approximately one month ago. I do not know whether it is a proper rationalisation measure. I will speak to the Minister on the issue. Senator Browne referred to autism and the need for proper speech therapy programmes. Independent...

Seanad: Diseases of Animals Act 1966: Motion. (6 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that section 17A (inserted by section 2 of the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act 2001 (No. 3 of 2001)) of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966, (No. 6 of 1966) shall continue in force for the period ending on 8th March, 2004. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003 – Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business until 4 p.m.; No. 2, Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 – Committee Stage, to be taken—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: —from 4 p.m. until 10.30 p.m. There will be a sos from 6 p.m. until 6.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, proposed an amendment to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, on which I expect there will be a vote. He spoke about the Minister with responsibility for the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill not being present. An excellent Minister of State will come into the House to deal with the Bill and I know all Senators will observe the courtesies in that regard. Senator O'Toole seconded...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: —but it is a difficult situation when a strategy worked out by the Minister and the Government was proving to be such a major success in that the number of fatal accidents, in particular, had declined greatly, about which everybody is very pleased. The concern now is that people will again get careless on the road. Very few are speeding and it would be a great pity if that practice was to...