Results 4,261-4,280 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ryan referred to opposition to moving Development Co-operation Ireland to Limerick. That matter was debated by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs at which representatives of the various NGOs were present. I cannot understand why people would not wish to go to Limerick because it is a fine city. The Senator also inquired, like Senator Brian Hayes, about the 11,500 children born...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I wish to state that I did not refuse to obtain this information.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The documentation contains many interesting facts. Having perused it in its entirety from early morning, however, I am convinced that everything is in order and kosher. The good name of Shannon Airport, which Senator Dooley — who is no longer present — championed so strongly, is not besmirched by any of the facts provided. Senator MacSharry, who has also left the Chamber, stated that we...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: How can I answer the questions they posed in that event?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I remind the House that there was very successful decentralisation in the 1970s. A total of 400 staff from the then Department of Education were decentralised to Athlone at that time and another 400 were decentralised there in the late 1980s. Senator Coghlan inquired about the Muckross road. I am familiar with the stretch to which he referred and I am glad that no deaths occurred. I am happy...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Cummins raised the issue of decentralisation. I am informed by Senator Minihan that Senator Ó Murchú raised with him the issue of having a debate on the role of the Irish language with the participation of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. The difficulty for the House is that instead of having an excess of time for debate, there will be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Quinn spoke about road deaths. It is 25 November and I wonder if Members have all their Christmas shopping done. The American visitors have left the Distinguished Visitors Gallery — today is Thanksgiving Day. Senator Glynn asked for a debate on unprovoked violence and other Senators have also called for a debate on that matter. I wish to clarify to the House that requests for...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I hope that Roscommon will share in it. With Senator Leyden and the Senator standing up for Roscommon, it will come about.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004 — Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes — the Minister to be called on to reply no later than five minutes before the...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of the 77 year old woman in Limerick. In that context the wider question concerns the unsuitable use of Garda time, resources and prison spaces. The Senator intends to introduce a Private Members' Bill shortly and we will facilitate debate on that issue. Senator Brian Hayes stated that a glut of legislation is expected and asked that we have an orderly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It will finish on Thursday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: If the Dáil is tardy there is nothing we can do about it but we will do our business in a business-like way, not in a rushed way. We have been informed that the Council of Europe Development Bank Bill must be enacted by 30 November or else the terms of the Bill will have to be renegotiated. If the other House is tardy we cannot do anything about it but, as I have proved on several occasions,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: There appears to be a chance of success and I regret that these two matters were linked by Senator Ryan. Senator Ó Murchú referred to the Donegal man, William Bartley, who was battered and bruised. He referred to a malignancy in society, which I agree is the case. That incident is every bit as ugly as what is happening in Iraq. We rightly condemned the killing of the dying soldier but what...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I tried but did not get satisfactory answers. I will try again today to get an answer on the Gulfstream jet and Shannon. It is Senator Norris's belief that people who were kidnapped have been transported in the manner he outlined. He wants to have the matter clarified or warns of trouble to come. Senator Dooley echoed the comments about the poor use of Garda time. He also raised the issue of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: One would not be appointed twice to a job like that. Senator Mansergh will do us all proud. Senator Quinn referred to the reduction in the numbers of tourists visiting Ireland. He welcomed the fact that a national conference centre is now mooted for 2008 and requested that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism come before the House to discuss the matter. Senator Browne requested...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ross referred to Aer Lingus, about which Senator Minihan also contacted me, and we hope to have to a debate on it soon. This week's business had already been arranged when the office was contacted by Senator Minihan but we hope to have such a debate next week. The Goldman Sachs report is on the website. Senators asked about the arrangements for the budget debate, which we were...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: We hope to have the debate then and the office will contact Senators in that regard. Senator McHugh wanted to know why car parks at the Giant's Causeway are full in February, while they are empty in Donegal in July. There is an all-Ireland tourism body, Tourism Ireland Limited. I accept the Senator is concerned; he has often raised the issue of tourism in the House. Senator Hayes asked about...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996: Referral to Joint Committee. (24 Nov 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann resolves that sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 (No. 29 of 1996), shall continue in operation for the period ending on 31 December 2006 be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, in accordance with paragraph (1) (Seanad) of the orders of reference of that...