Results 4,061-4,080 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I ask the Senator to allow me to finish. I sent him a copy of the letter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I will make my point.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I apologise, a Chathaoirligh. Senator Brian Hayes was given plenty of time to posture and I will make my point now.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: What did he say?

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: How dare the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: How dare you, come on.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I served in this House for two six-month periods with Seamus Mallon and Bríd Rodgers and many other distinguished names have been here through the past two decades who successive Taoisigh have asked to serve in this House. They have served with great dignity and understanding and we have learned much from their presence. That is the value of this House. We are well served by Senator Maurice...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: When he speaks in this House he is remarkable because he gives us an insight into matters of which we would never know.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Sorry, how dare you.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I have to set it in context.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Taoiseach is minded and concerned that he would appoint as Senators persons from all the different political backgrounds by means of a constitutional amendment and not at random. He wishes that it be formalised in a formula which would ensure that different political voices would be heard in this House. I think that is a very good idea and it has been embraced by different Taoisigh of all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, indeed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I must set out the background to this. I think it is a remarkably good idea. The next thing Members will ask is when did I know. The Taoiseach spoke to me on Tuesday night. He told me he was very keen to have a formal arrangement for different political voices from different political backgrounds here in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot call that cherry-picking because it is a very good idea and one which should be embraced by all sides of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: There is reform of the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator insists on continuing. It is rather difficult for the Cathaoirleach. On reform of the Seanad, the Senator knows the committee is being set up and I have spoken to him but I will be more careful in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not call that cherry-picking; I call it a good forward-looking step to embrace different backgrounds in this House. I do not call it cherry-picking; I call it an excellent move. There is a package and a committee has been set up to deal with it and the Senator knows that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Exactly. The Senator just wants his own way. Senator Norris asked that the full terms be included in the debate. I wish to inform the House that we have gone to extraordinary lengths and we hope to have the Taoiseach here if the time issue can be resolved. Senator Norris also referred to the report on the bullying of gay students and spoke about the doctor who told him of the experience. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am coming to that. A document issued last autumn during the talks in Leeds Castle fully addressed the issue of those who are on the run. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that a vacuum is dangerous. He also stated that, as part of Seanad reform, Senators would be honoured to be joined by people from diverse political persuasions. Senator Quinn referred to the need for a debate and called for...