Results 1,181-1,200 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole asked that the strategy statement from the Department of Education and Science be discussed at 6 p.m. Again, it would be difficult to find a Minister and it is not good practice to have debates without a Minister being present.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We did it once before and it is not a good idea. The point of a debate is to address a Minister. Senator Tuffy supported Senators Brian Hayes and O'Toole about school accommodation and expressed herself strongly on the matter. Senator Maurice Hayes, a patron of the Special Olympics, asked that the Minister for Health and Children publish the medical advice he received from the high level...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. Senator Coghlan supported the call for a debate on the schools building programme. It would be good to have such a debate but I cannot have it now or order it as one would order a meal à la carte in a restaurant.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan also asked about the groceries order. I only heard the Tánaiste talk about the size of stores and supermarkets. I did not hear anything about the groceries order. As there were articles published afterwards, perhaps she is considering it. If she is, she will come to the House and discuss it. Senator Norris asked if and why the Irish delegation abstained in a debate on human...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ormonde asked that the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, come to the House to keep Members abreast of developments in the crucial time before the debate on the Convention on the Future of Europe. Senator Browne referred to the schools building programme and asked that the Minister for Transport come to the House this week to discuss penalty points and insurance. The Minister was here...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot have Ministers coming to the House week after week every time something happens. He or the Minister of State will be in the House tomorrow to discuss the Booz, Allen, Hamilton report. Just because a policy twists the following week does not mean a Minister will immediately appear before the House again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator MacSharry supported Senator Ormonde's call for a debate on Europe, particularly now when matters are reaching a crucial point. Senator Quinn referred to the weekend figures for fatalities on our roads, by which everyone was shocked. People are very punctilious when a new stricture is introduced, but they become more lax as time goes on. The issue should be discussed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: —and his robust defence of Deputy Michael Woods. Senators Ulick Burke and Bannon also requested a debate on education. I explained to Senator Bannon about the number of Progressive Democrat Senators present and I know he would wish Senator Minihan a speedy recovery. We would be delighted to debate the 14 page defence that Fianna Fáil has published, would we not? Would we not?

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon also referred to the care of premature babies in Longford-Westmeath General Hospital and we will ask for clarification on that matter. Senator Phelan also asked for a debate on third level education. It is nice that everyone has such high regard for me and my constituency.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is too late now. What happened happened. Senator Coonan called for a debate on school accommodation. He also requested that the Minister for Defence come before the House to discuss the Defence Forces. Does the Senator not see enough of the Minister in his constituency?

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, a motion whereby the subject of motion No. 17 on today's Order Paper, concerning the reservation of 32 places in the first year of the bachelor of education course in the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, for students who are members of the Church of Ireland or belong to the broad Protestant tradition, is to be referred to the Joint...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator should keep this up.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We never do. They choose themselves.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes asked if we will all have a free vote. We certainly have free tongues. He sought extra time to which I am agreeable, as will our other Members. We are all very keen to speak, therefore there will be no such thing as demure people on this side on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I was going to suggest 30 minutes. The House has already agreed to begin the debate at 6.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It will be 9 p.m. so everyone should get their voices in order. The Senator sought a debate on tourism, which is appropriate. We hope to have such a debate next week, particularly on prices being charged by people offering tourist facilities. Senator Henry asked to extend the debate on third level fees. That debate is being extended by half an hour. She asked for the Minister for Agriculture...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator said it does not mention fees, but we will have plenty to say about fees. Senator Brady referred to flood relief cover. Some €10 million is being spent on the areas which encountered flooding, yet there are reports of certain insurance companies not providing cover. That is certainly the business of the Tánaiste and I will ask her to make herself available to us. Senator Bannon...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senators Ormonde and Fitzgerald will lead the debate on our behalf tonight and no doubt we will have—

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I intend to speak as well. Senator Quinn asked for a debate on health and the closures. If the Minister is available he will come before the House. The Senator also spoke about the siren that went off in his car. It would be salutary if there were sirens in cars which went off if one drove at 32 mph in a 30 mph zone. There would be a lot of sirens going off. I do not mean to make a joke of...