Results 1,941-1,960 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I mean morning, not late night.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole remembers it quite well. Each Minister is different and if the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, believes the annual conference is an outdated format, he is fully entitled to his opinion. He will do the business in some other fashion. It will seem odd not to have reports. The Minister is usually the butt of all that goes on, with everything,...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Afterwards it is great fun. Senator Dardis has brought to my attention that No. 14, statements on the high level of alcohol consumption by young people, is listed to be resumed. Senator Bradford raised the issue of a debate on Northern Ireland, which we are endeavouring to arrange. Senator Fitzgerald also raised the question of the teachers' conferences â imagine, I attended five...
- Seanad: Address by MEP: Motion. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Ãireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that, in accordance with the provisions for the address to Seanad Ãireann by Distinguished Persons, Mr. John Hume, MEP, be invited to address Seanad Ãireann on 3 March 2004 and the proceedings, which shall commence at 11.15 a.m. and conclude no later than 12.30 p.m., shall consist of a...
- Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Order for Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: It is agreed to take all remaining Stages of the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill this evening. No amendments have been tabled. Apparently, everyone is really happy about the Bill.
- Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, address by Mr. John Hume, MEP, to follow the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 12.30 p.m.; No. 2, Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004 â Second Stage, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 3.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes, those of all other speakers not to exceed ten...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: No.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of electronic voting. While he agreed the commission members were people of probity, he said they were being put in an invidious position. However, it is because they are well divorced from political affiliations that we should have trust and confidence in their capabilities. The Taoiseach said yesterday the relevant...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I would far prefer us to have money in our pockets and purses than not to have it. Senator Mansergh said electronic voting confers no advantage on anyone and that he is glad of the good financial returns. So am I, as I lived through many years when those returns were bad and one was scrounging for every penny one could get for one's Department. It is a good return. From a tax perspective I am...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator McCarthy mentioned the committee which is dealing with electronic voting. If the committee recommends festina lente and tells us to hasten slowly then the Taoiseach has said quite clearly that is the route he will take. There is confidence in the committee, which is made up of independent-minded, clever and competent people. The Government will accept whatever they come up with....
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator Terry spoke aboutthe â¬5 million needed to open a ward in Blanchardstown Hospital and she also mentioned the metro. It would be easy to say we will give â¬100 million to this and â¬100 million to that, but that is not how the overall financial situation is worked out. The taxation result is a good one and spending is up. Senator Ross is worried that we are spending too much time on...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: He is always worth hearing.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: He is also worried about the division of time for speakers on Bills and Bills being short-circuited. I have had many jobs in Government and this is one of the most complex jobs my office has to deal with. Saying "office" makes it sound grand but it is just me and one other person. We have to chase Ministers, private secretaries and Departments, to divide out time and to figure out how long a...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: It would have to be free. It is a very complex job, and every day we scratch our heads and wonder who will be loquacious and who will be silent. It comes down to that. We do not want Ministers here when a debate ends ahead of time. We are already being asked why we cannot debate the Public Health Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill before Thursday, but the Minister is not available until that time. We...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I am glad the Senator agrees. Senator O'Meara wants the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to tell the Seanad about the changes she proposes, which would be a good idea. We will ask her to come to the Seanad. The UK is exempt completely from all such interchanges.
- Seanad: Address by Mr. John Hume, MEP. (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I know that the leaders of each party in the Seanad will make their own statements, but on behalf of the House, and as Leader, I wish to say how honoured we are that Mr. Hume has agreed to attend today and to speak to us. When he announced that he was to retire from active public life â although I have every belief he will not actually retire â we had a debate on the Order of Business....
- Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: Commissioner Palacio is now saying she would like to consider airlines. She changes her mind pretty handy.
- Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)
Mary O'Rourke: I do not know why the Senator cannot utter Michael O'Leary's name.