Results 3,061-3,080 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Meara wants to hear the Government's thinking on the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill. While I do not know, I will endeavour to find out. Senator Hanafin raised the issue of a gun amnesty. The Criminal Justice Bill will be before the House soon and it may be relevant to debate this issue in that context. The Senator also requested a debate on the matter of biodiesel. Senator Ulick...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Sir Reg Empey of the UUP was here the previous week with three or four of his colleagues for a debate. Sometimes I think the perception of being excluded is more important than what is actually happening. Senator Scanlon is also interested in double tagging.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator deserves congratulations on his recent nomination. He will be busy too. He raised the issue of private bus operators. I know that is an important issue in his area. I will try to get the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, to debate the matter. Senator Browne raised the issue of school transport. The VECs were blamed unfairly, as was Bus...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the practice of calling the Leader of the House to reply to the Order of Business no later than 30 minutes after the proposal of the Order of Business shall be continued until the Christmas recess.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: It is very good to see the Cathaoirleach back, but I welcome particularly Senator Bohan who is back with us again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is Nos. 1, 2 and 17, motion 21. No.1 is a sessional order, as agreed by the CPP, and will be taken without debate; No. 2 is statements on early childhood education, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 5 p.m., spokespersons have 12 minutes, other Senators have eight minutes and Members may share their time, with the Minister being called upon to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We will do that later.

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will be happy to do so. All Senators appreciate the work of the Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Mr. Ray Hesse, who is present in the Chamber for the last time today. He plans to retire on 30 August next after 32 years of service in the Houses of the Oireachtas. During that time, Ray Hesse and his gorgeous gold braid have been essential features of the Houses. Senators strongly...

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: That is true.

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Good.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of 14 year old Brian Rossiter, who died in Clonmel. He wondered why the Minister, when speaking on an amendment to the 1924 Act in this House, did not say he was setting up a committee or review group on the matter. I expect he considered he was dealing with the Bill and did not want to sidetrack. I do not know because I was not in the House at the time....

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will ensure that message is passed on. We have been fortunate that most Ministers who have attended here took amendments in this House. There was evidence of this at the beginning of today's business when it was reported that the Dáil has accepted amendments made to Bills in the Seanad. We have been very lucky. While it is part of their duty, Ministers have been prompt in coming to this...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Economists are always gloomy; they like to be gloomy. The news from the ESRI this morning was very good. Senator Mansergh referred to President Barroso's statement yesterday that there is nothing more social than employment. If one is earning a living, many things are possible. Senator Finucane referred to ESB costs and the fact that the PSO should be deleted from bills. He said that the only...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ulick Burke spoke about the revision of the leaving certificate. What is being proposed is interesting. The Minister, Deputy Hanafin, who referred to the stress caused to students, opted for the 25% mark on the earlier examination. However, she made it clear that she wants rigorous attention paid to the proper rules for education and examinations. The Senator referred to the 180 day...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Terry said that in four years there have been 50 deaths from drugs in Dublin 15, which is a stark statistic. The national drugs strategy is another matter which should be debated. Senator Browne referred to the MRSA superbug and ESB costs. Senator John Paul Phelan asked for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science. It would be interesting to have this debate early in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will not be going abroad with Deputy Parlon.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We should not call Athlone "Parlon country". I extend good wishes to the Cathaoirleach and wish everybody in the House a pleasant break with their families. It is easy for people to suggest that Members have three months off to have fun but in reality we will be working for approximately two and a half of those months. I wish people respite, however, from the constant daily work. Under the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We are not going to Inchydoney.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We are going to Cavan.