Results 1,261-1,280 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ormonde called for debates on the Convention on the Future of Europe and planning legislation. She has asked many times for a debate on planning and I hope to schedule such a debate. Senator Jim Higgins congratulated the Garda Commissioner designate, Mr. Noel Conroy, and requested a debate on the Ombudsman's report 2002, which would be useful. Senator Terry Leyden has left the House...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: He has left in pursuit of his campaign.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Leyden stated the programme at Paul McCartney's concert cost €22. When I arrived home last night, I could hear the concert at great volume. Senator O'Meara called for the publication of three reports on the health service. I wish they would be published as it would allow the House to debate them fully. I will make inquiries in this regard. She also requested that I ask the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I have no idea when such a committee will be established. I will make inquiries on the Senator's behalf. Senator Kett called for a debate on disability issues. Senator McCarthy raised the industrial relations issues to be ironed out before the merger between CERT and Bord Fáilte can take place. I understand the order allowing the merger to proceed will be signed today. The Senator also...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: He also asked that the Minister for Transport come before the House to address the system of arbitration for land acquisition and the prices given therein.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Paddy Burke raised capital overruns and called for a debate on the merits of public private partnerships. It would be useful to combine both topics for a proper report. Senator Kate Walsh was the only Senator to wish good luck to the outgoing Garda Commissioner, Mr. Pat Byrne. The House joins her in wishing him luck and extending our good wishes to the Garda Commissioner designate....

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Order for Second Stage. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now." Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and on which Members may share time, the Minister to be called on to reply not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the leader of the Opposition, sought a debate on the recently announced OECD report. This would be very useful. I reject his contention that the OECD damned us all. Initial reports in the papers suggest, as Senator Dardis highlighted, that, in many respects, it approves of the way we do our commercial business and run the country. I acknowledge Senator McDowell's point...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator's remarks were very disturbing. I suggest that he convey them to the Minister for Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, because we are not aping the English shires and we never did so. Why should we follow their planning guidelines? Senator White praised last night's healthy debate on the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003. I am glad to hear it was healthy....

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Order for Second Stage. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now." Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 2, the Risk Equalisation Scheme 2003, which is being referred to the Joint Committee on Health and Children without debate; No. 3, the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003, which is being referred to the Joint Committee on Education and Science; No. 4, statements on the Convention on the Future of Europe, to be taken at the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of the ECB and the refusal to date of the three major banks to reduce their loan rates. It was interesting that a spokesperson for one of them said it was not "in the capacity" of the bank to reduce its rates. I cannot understand this. Such language seems most odd. Withholding such reductions is piracy. One is reminded of the remark made by the disgraced...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris also raised the issue of speed limits and road tolls. We are having a debate on transport on Private Members Business tomorrow evening. Senator Dooley asked for a debate on interest rates and stressed the moral obligation of the banks. He is quite right in that respect. Quite apart from the fact that they make large profits and have the financial competency to do what they...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No, it will just come back on to the agenda. Senator Glynn referred to the enforcement of the regulations regarding carriage of particular kinds of offal. The Senator also described the way in which the banks are treating us as resembling the widows mite. Senator Quinn spoke about the numbers of people driving on provisional licences and of those who are awaiting driving tests. The test and...

Seanad: Risk Equalisation Scheme 2003: Referral to Joint Committee. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following scheme in draft: Risk Equalisation Scheme, 2003 copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 22nd May 2003 be referred to the Joint Committee on Health and Children, in accordance with paragraph (1) (Seanad) of the Orders of Reference of that Committee, which shall not later than 17th June 2003 send a message to the...

Seanad: National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order, 2003: Referral to Joint Committee. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following draft order: National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order, 2003 copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 16 May 2003 be referred to the Joint Committee on Education and Science, in accordance with paragraph (1) (Seanad) of the Orders of Reference of that Committee, which shall, not later than 26...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and the succession of Ministers who have come here since, for attending this debate. The Members who have sought the debate epitomise a particular tenor of this Seanad in concentrating on European matters. The Joint Committee on European Affairs, of which our spokesperson, Senator Ormonde, is a member, has kept to its task since the Convention...

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements (Resumed). (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I would have wished to have heard the debate in the House but that was not possible. From what I have heard, however, I gather that it was interesting, realistic, informative and comprehensive. I would not have thought otherwise because, from the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, the House has been to the fore in expressing its opinions....

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements (Resumed). (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is important to have a Minister of State of that nature.