Results 2,381-2,400 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: A few days absence gives everybody great tongues. Senator Brian Hayes expressed his appreciation for the apology of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for his frenzied remarks. It stands to the credit of both Members that the apology was made and graciously accepted. They both said they had not slept and neither did Deputy Rabbitte. They are all having a difficult time. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator commented on a particular airline owner who thought he had died and gone to heaven. It was a lovely remark and the sanest I have heard him make.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: No, that he had gone to heaven.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It was a nice remark. I am delighted that the horse owned by him and his lovely wife won. Senator Norris raised the matters of Iraq, Israel, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and how there is no transparency in how the tribunal reaches its decisions. I do not understand either. I wrote to the council previously but never received a reply. Senator Hanafin spoke about the sugar beet industry and how...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. Senator Ross asked for a debate on the privatisation of Aer Lingus and supported Ministers travelling around the world for St. Patrick's Day. He said that we are a small open economy that must trade, with which I agree. It was a silly argument to make that Ministers should not go as they do a lot of work. There is no pattern of fun, as Ministers must go from one appointment to another,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, was present and the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, was in charge of us all.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Feighan was also pleased, as were we all, that St. Patrick's Day passed off peacefully. Senator MacSharry called for a debate on youth affairs, which would be very useful as it is never debated here. We only condemn those youths who go off the rails. Senator O'Brien defended the Minister for Agriculture and Food, with all her abilities and charms, in gallant style. We hope to invite...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006 — Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 6.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes...

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, and his officials for attending and the Members who contributed to a fine debate.

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 21 March 2006.

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: We do not have the same insight as the Senator.

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. That is my point.

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Why?

Seanad: Lourdes Hospital Inquiry: Statements. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister of State and the representatives of Patient Focus who are in the Gallery. This has been an amazing debate. We decided this morning that the lead speakers would be women because this is an issue about women's bodies. I am sure that the men who contribute will do a good job as well. I praise Senator Terry for speaking about her first pregnancy in such an open manner and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of hospital trolleys, the increased numbers of patients using them yesterday and the establishment of a new task force. When I saw the woman who made the announcement being interviewed on television yesterday, I thought to myself, "not another task force". The Tánaiste outlined a number of excellent ideas some months ago. They warranted great...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Tánaiste's list of proposals should be proceeded with. Lest this House think that we are not inquiring, there is not a week goes by but we request the Tánaiste's presence here. I understand she is extraordinarily busy but there is no point saying to me that I am to ask the Tánaiste and that one is sure she would like to come here. We ask her and she is not coming, due, we are told, to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: They should meet and share a car. It might be useful.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Minihan sought a debate on accident and emergency services where reform is necessary. We all agree on that. He referred to the Kennedy-McCain Bill about which Senator Jim Walsh tabled a motion. I take Senator Minihan's point about Americans coming in to this country. We strive to have our people who are illegally in the US treated correctly. We should do the same with asylum seekers...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Modesty is the Senator's middle name.