Results 1,981-2,000 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: He could speak on all the amendments.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: As other speakers have stated, we are glad to see this Bill concluded. It seems to have gone on forever. Second Stage was a long while ago and I remember participating on it. I did not participate on Committee Stage because I could not be here. I am glad the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Tom Kitt, took heed of an issue spotted by Senator Ryan with his eagle eye...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I am not insulting the draftsman.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The draftsman loves obtuse language. I recommend this idea to the Minister of State.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: When I hear the Minister of State speaking about this on the television or the radio, I will label it as plagiarism. It is termed as plain English legislation. Ms Harman introduced the idea three months ago and it is now in force. I realise the issue has nothing to do with this Bill. I wish the Bill well. The idea of bringing these partnerships together is good. Each individual body carries...

Seanad: Social Partnership Agreement: Motion. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann welcomes the proposals for the new social partnership agreement. On behalf of Senators, I welcome the Taoiseach to the debate on this important issue. The motion is simple, that Seanad Éireann welcomes the proposals for the new social partnership agreement. I am pleased the Taoiseach has come to this House first to debate the agreement. I am sure there will be...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It is detailed and precise.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I never thought I would see the day when Senator Ryan advocated dictatorship. This is essentially what he is suggesting, that the Taoiseach be top dog in everything and his word never gainsaid. This would be an incorrect way to do business. Many people commented last week that a particular person who passed away, God rest his soul, was a dictator and so on. This element of the Bill is...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ryan is an advocate of dictatorship and I never thought I would see such a day in this Chamber. It is proper that the Minister for Finance must cast his eye over all of these ideas and plans to examine their spending and misspending potential.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Of course he should.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The idea is that the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance would work together. I know the incumbent in the Office of the Taoiseach would not seek to be a dictator. I do not approve of Senator Ryan's amendments; I approve of whatever the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Tom Kitt is about to say.

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: So do I.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Finucane, the acting Leader of the Opposition, raised the issue of the cost of housing and asked if there was a way forward. He spoke about the study which was conducted and what has arisen from it. He also raised the issue of the gun murders, which are horrific. Every morning when one wakes up, one hears of more murders. We know the omerta principle applies within the circle of those...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: In the days when postmen stayed a while on one's beat, they knew people. People would often talk about who had moved into such a house and so on. Postmen have on the ground knowledge and I am sure it is a suggestion which could be worked through. Senator Hanafin concurred with that suggestion. Senator Ryan asked who might be in the Fianna Fáil tent at the Galway races. I will not be; I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I am not interested in horses or in those who go to watch them.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Is it not? I believe it is highly entertaining.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Those two gentlemen paid their dues.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: That was so long ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (21 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The three children who were killed in Gaza is a sad case. A crime against children is heinous. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has been open and consistent in his condemnation of what he sees as Israeli atrocities. The HSE was also referred to and I see nothing wrong in seeking value for money, it is both an old-fashioned and a modern tenet. Shoppers seek value for...