Results 3,741-3,760 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (22 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Two former Senators have passed away but we will not have expressions of sympathy on the death of the second until after his funeral. I express my sympathy on the death of a strong and committed Fine Gael Senator who was the Leader of this House for a period, Mr. Michael J. O'Higgins. I am aware that the party opposite will have many fine things to say about him but I would like to commend...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Finance Bill 2005 — 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, those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage; and...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: There were two offices.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: He did not say that.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We have said this previously.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: He said he observed.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the lucid argument put forward by Senator O'Toole and previous speakers. On behalf of this House I thank Mr. Travers for his report which is clear, lucid, understandable and sharply and crisply written. I welcome that in any report. This report is an example of what can be done when the job is given to a competent person who concentrates on it. The report requires at least three...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: When the Senator is appointed to a Department, he will understand there is a significant difference between a Minister's desk and an outer office, in which there are several desks. It is wrong of the Senator to make that statement and he should read the report again.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator did not say that.

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: According to Mr. Travers, a folder containing the January 2004 submission was observed by another official of the Department, who would have recognised it and was aware of its significance. Every file I received when in office looked the same as the preceding file and the following file. The official was sharp. Mr. Travers report reads, "In the outer office of the Minister's office at some...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will bring him. The Secretary General of the Department will no longer be the Accounting Officer as that function has passed to the Health Service Executive. However, I have always been of the opinion that the Department should have two Secretaries General, one in charge of everyday fire brigade issues, which erupt about ten times a day, and the other in charge of legislation and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Finucance, acting leader of the Opposition, asked why better estimates were not available on issues which were to be settled by the taxpayer. He wondered how the PAC report has concluded that an extra €700 million has to be paid for the redress scheme than was originally estimated. That is a fair point and I do not know why it arises. It is the same with roads and other issues. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: He has been demoted to the back of the House. I will speak during the debate on the Travers report this morning. If the Senator is present, he will hear what happened in the nine weeks I served as Minister for Health before I was chucked out.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan also raised issues on Aer Lingus, the second terminal at Dublin Airport and the Boundary Commission. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill was published as a Dáil Bill last Tuesday. When it is passed by the Dáil, it will come before this House. Senator Dooley spoke about the aircraft which passes through Shannon Airport and agreed with the need for a debate on the issue. In...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: ——working people, who are entitled to their representational status. Senator Feighan referred to child care but we had a good two-hour debate on child care yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Even I would quail at asking a Minister to return to the House to debate that topic before a decent interval had elapsed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I am aware of that but I cannot send for a Minister every time a new report is published.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I noted the information in the newspaper this morning and thought it was very interesting. I have already mentioned it to Senator White and I am sure she will be reading it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ulick Burke sought a debate on the system of special needs services. I am aware of several cases where glitches have occurred in the system. It would be of benefit to have such a debate. Senator Moylan referred to road safety, dangerous roads and people from other countries driving here. He also mentioned car auctions at which one may think one is getting a great bargain but once the...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: That is not true.