Results 1,661-1,680 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator also talked about the cuts, as he called them, which have been imposed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. We should remember that the budget will be held next week and hopefully there will be good increases for those in receipt of social welfare. Senator Ryan also mentioned child poverty and the Combat Poverty Agency's report and asked that the Taoiseach heed what...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is interesting that Senator Leyden started a name and shame campaign and Fine Gael has set up a website on the matter. Senator Finucane raised the issues of poverty, community welfare officers and homelessness with reference to rent supplements. Senator Hanafin also raised the elderly and the young. I hope that those in receipt of social welfare will get their due increases in the budget...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I was going to say that. He did great talking.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: This was a very important Bill and we were pleased to deal with it in the Seanad. I thank the Tánaiste, the Minister of State and the staff of the Department for their hard work on it. I take Senator Tuffy's point about a gap between Committee and Report Stages but we worked hard to ensure there was ample time to debate the Bill. On Thursday, the Second Stage debate lasted two and half hours...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. The Seanad adjourned at 5.25 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 26 November 2003.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, a procedural motion agreed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the attendance of Joe McCartin, MEP, in the House this morning, to be taken without debate, with the arrangements as outlined in the motion; No. 2, a pro cedural motion to enable Pat Cox, MEP, President of the European Parliament, to address the Seanad, to be taken without debate, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We had a great time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes spoke about the emergency traffic legislation. We have informed the relevant parties that this will be held tomorrow. We all know this legislation is needed and it would be for the good of the country that there would be close surveillance over the Christmas period and thereafter on those the gardaí feel could be under the weather. Legislation is required to provide for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am sorry to tell Senator O'Toole that no observer tickets are available for such meetings.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole raised the serious issue of credit card fraud and called for a debate on this. I did not realise that one could get away with using a ridiculous signature and the payment would remain valid. Senator Tuffy spoke about the likelihood of prison unrest and called for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come here to address the current crisis in the prison...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator called for a debate on homelessness. We have already asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House and I hope he will do so soon. Senator Dooley is correct when he says the transport legislation is urgently needed. Senator Quinn raised the policy on handcuffing suspects in criminal cases. On television last night I noticed Mr. Tobin –...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Brien talked about the improvements in road safety and asked if that was mirrored in a lessening in the abuse of drugs. I am sure the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Noel Ahern, will be glad to come to the House to talk about it. Senator O'Meara was confused about the Hanly report and invited Members of the House to visit Nenagh....

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot clear up every item of confusion.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator McHugh talked about policies being introduced at national level and their local implications in varying degrees and how they impact upon people. Senator Norris raised the question of the internees at Guantanamo Bay. I heard what the judge said this morning. He used the words "utter lawlessness". I think it was Judge Steyn—

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris also wished good luck to the Defence Forces who are going to Liberia. He called for video recordings to be used in the right way in Garda stations and not incorrectly as at present. Senator MacSharry mentioned what had been conveyed to him about shortcomings in the equipment available to the Defence Forces going to Liberia. I too received quite a number of letters on that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I believe that is the case here too, because we are all on our marks and watching out for speed cameras. Senator Mansergh made the proper point that churches of whatever denomination have every right to put forward their points of view to the Government or Opposition of the day. He said everyone had a right of input into policy making. Order of Business agreed to.

Seanad: Addresses by Members of the European Parliament: Motions. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move:

Seanad: Addresses by Members of the European Parliament: Motions. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that, in accordance with the provisions for the address to Seanad Éireann by Distinguished Persons, Mr. Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament be invited to address Seanad Éireann on 27 November, 2003 and the proceedings which shall commence at 11.30 a.m. and conclude no later...

Seanad: Address by Mr. Joe McCartin, MEP. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I, too, thank Mr. McCartin for attending. He was one of the first to respond when we issued the letters of invitation when the Committee on Procedure and Privileges agreed as a policy that MEPs be invited to address the House. Our Standing Orders already make provision in this regard. Mr. McCartin's address was amazingly full of vision. The passage of 25 years has not dimmed the reason he put...

Seanad: Address by Mr. Joe McCartin, MEP. (26 Nov 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, it is.