Results 3,941-3,960 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: There is still a grudging attitude towards entitlements such as parental leave. This is an example of a deep-seated chauvinism which holds that women can stay at home and mind their children, notwithstanding the fact that employers are screaming out for employees, education can contribute to our economic well-being and we can ill afford to have people with talent and ability outside the...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I thought the public service gave paid parental leave. I would be keen to know which employers give it. I would like to know why we are so out of step with all those other countries — it is quite amazing. I think France has excellent paid parental leave which can be taken by mothers or fathers until the child is two years of age. It is only right that is the case. A grudging attitude is...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Dooley is a young father. Does he get up at night to tend to his child?

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: That is what I call an Irish joke and I do not like it; I do not believe it is right. I used to say to Enda, God rest him, "I was up twice last night", and he would say, "Were you dear?" That would be that but he changed his tune later on.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Babies need to know there are two people minding them. The Minister of State has great gumption and he would do well to try to bring about a reconciliation between employers and employees on this matter of paid parental leave. Many people cannot afford to avail of it and to be out of the workforce for that length of time so that they may lay the foundations of a happy child and for...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: That is good.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Browne will get around to the role of parent sometime.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I agree.

Seanad: Tsunami Disaster: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: I hope this will be the first of many visits to the House by the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Before I reply I wish to inform the House that a former Senator, Gordon Lambert, has passed away. The House will express sympathy tomorrow. I mention it now to give Senators an opportunity to prepare their contributions. Senator Brian Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, asked for a debate on libel laws and standards in journalism. It is ironic that it took the invasion of the privacy of a member...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: It certainly merits a debate in the House. Senator O'Toole also raised the issue of intrusion into personal privacy by newspapers. The experience of the young man, details of whose private life were highlighted yesterday, was appalling. He was clearly a mature student, aged 29, but had got himself together and was going to Trinity College, and details of who he was and his parentage and so on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Will they be past their sell-by date?

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Mansergh stated that the gender imbalance in public appointments is beginning to thaw. Although I will not mention her name because it would not be correct to do so, we wish the new appointee to the post of Secretary General at the Department of Education and Science the best of good luck. The Senator also sought a debate on immigrant labour laws. This matter was raised before...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: He should be here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: For whom the bell tolls. A debate would be worthwhile. Senator Quinn suggested that a court should be included in the new prison complex, which seems sensible. I am indebted to my colleague, Senator Leyden, who has informed me that a new courthouse was built and is operational outside the gates of Castlerea Prison. I thank the Senator for that information. Senator White wished to point out...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Who is the Senator's companion?

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris raised the issue of the management of roads and speed bumps and also the fact that the American ambassador did not turn up yesterday. He was told not to attend. Senator Feeney raised the issue of libel laws and privacy. She had raised the matter previously relating to the Anabel case. I will seek to have that debate next week. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, statements regarding the tsunami disaster in south-east Asia to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude at 1 p.m. with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply no later than five minutes before the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2005)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002 — Second Stage (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1 p.m. Senators may speak for ten minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage.