Results 3,881-3,900 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I would welcome the Bill being debated for two hours tonight because the views expressed by speakers from all sides would be very interesting and would add texture to the ongoing debate on this important issue. The Houses of the Oireachtas should seek precedence and be the prime movers on matters such as this and the courts, including European courts, should not impose their will. Surely...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Glynn called for a debate on drugs. I understand this issue is the prerogative of the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Ahern, rather than the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. I note the Senator pointed the finger at nationals as well as non-nationals. We are too quick to blame...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not understand the reason Senators do not want to hear opposing views, which other Senators are entitled to express.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: We wish to make our submission tonight.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I liked Senator Maurice Hayes's historical allusion. He expressed the hope that the House would debate the issue. We hope we will do so. I agree that the House should not appear to be lacking in compassion. We do not all live in cosy arrangements. Unfortunately, life is not always a two-up, two-down and everything that goes with it. I have strong feelings on the matter. Senator Henry praised...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Jim Walsh stated that the Oireachtas should be proactive in discussing the question of civil partnerships. Senator Bannon requested that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come before the House to debate employment and Senator Hanafin also requested a debate on the issue. Senator Ross wished to discuss the Civil Partnership Bill. He wished the Bill would be debated and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: It is an issue with which the Minister feels comfortable.

Seanad: Report of Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on procedure on Second Stage of Bills, dated 10 February 2005, be laid before Seanad Éireann; that the report be published; and that the report is hereby adopted.

Seanad: Report of Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Standing Orders are amended accordingly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on procedure on Second Stage of Bills to be taken without debate, which proposes to address the unwieldy procedure which heretofore applied where an amendment was tabled to the Second Stage Reading of a Bill; No. 2, statements on the progress on development in the BMW region to be taken at the conclusion of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Is Senator Coghlan the rooster or am I?

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I wonder if Senators noted that we are all in a skitty mood today? The Leas-Chathaoirleach encouraged this mood initially.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not mean to be disrespectful. The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Ulick Burke, graciously acknowledged the success of the Garda in west Dublin and its strategy of targeting areas and in bringing in extra manpower. That strategy has generally worked, which is gratifying. The Senator also noted that this showed up the inadequacy of Garda numbers in other areas of the country and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The staff in that hotel are not unionised and while small increases in pay are warranted for them it seems to be difficult to get them. Senator Dardis said in a wry voice that the level of interest in the Seanad rises substantially when we talk of the media. I suppose people like to hear about themselves. Senator Dardis also noted how well the national pensions reserve fund has performed. He...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: This has nothing to do with the rod licence. It has to do with the greed or otherwise of the fishermen. We should have a debate on that issue. Senator Quinn said that foreign languages are not being taught in primary schools but I have come across a few where they are teaching either French or German in fifth or sixth class and doing so very well. No doubt there is a lack of resources...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Mansergh called for a railway line to Navan and said he would welcome a transport debate. Regarding the theft of road signs I cannot understand why nobody is looking for Westmeath road signs.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I have heard no reports of thefts. Senator Mansergh is worried about disappearing road signs in Tipperary. Senator Cummins referred to the Garda activity in west Dublin and asked that the strategy be extended. He also called for guidelines for young people under the age of 12 using mobile phones. Senator MacSharry made a passionate case on behalf of the BMW region and also spoke of the...

Seanad: Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That, with effect from 9 February 2005, until further notice in the 22nd Seanad, Standing Order 100 of the Standing Orders of Seanad Éireann relative to Public Business be amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3): "(3) Each group shall have the right to nominate a Senator of the group to present a Bill provided that there is not before the Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, a procedural motion agreed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges regarding the printing of Bills to facilitate the Opposition or any party — it allows for three Seanad Bills to be presented by any group within the Seanad as currently it is only possible for one Seanad Bill to be presented by a group — to be taken without debate; and No. 2, Criminal...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I will see him outside afterwards.