Results 3,021-3,040 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: That is a fairy tale.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ross is the person interrupting.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: I cannot resist the temptation. Based on the motion laid before this House, the Minister undertook to set up a commission. Senator Ross asked about the commission on a daily basis and has requested that the legislation be introduced in this House. I would be glad to facilitate that for Senator Ross and Senator Joe O'Toole, who is not here at present. Senator O'Toole raised the matter of Irish...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: My apologies, a hostel. I agree with the Senator on that point and believe that the argument relating to the ethos of the Mater Hospital is nonsensical. If women need a cancer drug, which may help them, surely it is a very small requirement that it not be given to them during a period of pregnancy, which is where the contraceptive drug would come into play. Apparently the hospital is not...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator Morrissey's points are very fair, nonetheless. Senator Michael Finucane asked that the labour inspectorate be strengthened, particularly in the area of language skills for inspectors who are dealing with immigrants. He also raised the matter of ESB standing charges, which are â¬94 for those living in rural areas and â¬52 for those in urban areas. Many people in rural housing estates...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: I agree, but we have had examples of sectarianism here. I will seek agreement with the leaders on the all-party motion. Senator Ross called for a debate on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and made specific reference to the fact that auditors twice overlooked â¬2 million in the NRA accounts. He also called for the legislation on auctioneers to be introduced in Seanad...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator Dooley would like to discuss the serviced land initiative with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government because it is fine to have guidelines for planning, but if there are no services for houses, planning permission is redundant. Senator O'Meara is concerned about the plans of the HSE to organise hospital care around a smaller number of centres. She also raised...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Meara is seeking an explanation of the fund. Senator Browne raised the matter of the role of the Government in the debate on health. People in glass houses should not throw stones. People have different ways of expressing themselves ââ
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: We do not intend to listen to the Senator talking about the Taoiseach in that fashion. Senator Terry also raised the matter of Women's Aid and I hope she heard my earlier comments on the matter. I know that she has always been very supportive of that organisation. She also raised the matter of delays in An Post deliveries. I live 100 yards from the sorting office but only get one delivery per...
- Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: I would not agree with the State paying masses of salaries, pension rights and so forth for teachers or others who work in the area of pre-school education as it would impose a very large burden on the State. I accept many of the Senator's points, including those he made last week, as they were relevant. However, I also accept that masses of tax breaks based on the general written and oral...
- Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: I am wary whenever history and social attitudes ask women to work. During the wars, women were needed to work in the munitions factories and elsewhere but as soon as the wars ended they were told to go back home. I would be wary of seeing women as economic ciphers with that purpose alone even though people are needed in the workforce. Senators Ross and O'Toole have two worthy motions on the...
- Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Infants and young children are very complex human beings going through major changes in their lives. People are hauling themselves out of their homes every morning and back every evening, making themselves collapse with tiredness, running out to get a Chinese ready-to-eat dinner or take-away, drinking a large glass of red wine, going to bed and starting the whole rigmarole the next morning....
- Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Today it is called children's benefit instead of children's allowance, which is an old-fashioned term. Is this correct?
- Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: The escalation in this allowance was very welcome when it happened. I do not know what the Government-appointed gurus are coming up with or what great solutions they will provide. I can certainly prophesise here that whatever solution they come up with, there will be an aggrieved portion of the electorate which will not like it. The mother or father who elects to stay at home must be looked...
- Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: I rise to express my sympathy to the wife and daughters and immediate family of the late Liam Burke, who was both a Deputy on seven occasions and who served in this House twice, once by appointment and once by election. I did not know him well but I knew him around the Houses and always found him to be very urbane, charming and nice with all the qualities one would like to see in a public...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is Nos. 1 and 19, motion No. 23 with No. 1, statements on early childhood education (resumed) to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 5 p.m. Senators have eight minutes each, with the Minister to be called upon to reply no later than five minutes before the conclusion of the statements; and No. 19, motion No. 23, to be...
- Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Sep 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: This day fortnight.
- Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Sep 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: Next Wednesday at 2.30 p.m.
- Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Sep 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: I did not say a word.
- Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Sep 2005)
Mary O'Rourke: My lips are sealed.