Results 4,441-4,460 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I was back there lately with some of my colleagues on an historic occasion. There is no doubt that young people enrolling in the college will find it a happy environment for their studies. The Minister stated that she intends to work out the ramifications for the staff now that a year has passed with no intake and as there will be no students after next year, it is important that staff...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Staff considerations are important. People have partners, houses, children, mortgages or aged parents. All of those issues must be addressed to ensure a successful working through of the details. I urge the Department to put those considerations to the forefront of its decision making. Young people are adaptable, as I know from my own family, but teachers and lecturers are grown up and have a...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am very pleased to speak about this Bill and I join other Senators in wishing the Minister well with his new remit. He will make a great go of it coming from an Army town himself, the city of Limerick. I speak as someone from Athlone, the headquarters of the Western Command, which has an extensive complement of personnel at all ranks from the enlisted to the top. I was born and brought up...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot understand why the ombudsman could not be female given that a brilliant woman, Dr. Eileen Doyle, produced this report.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, I know that. However, I do not like the Minister's use of the word "he" throughout his speech. I presume the position of ombudsman will be publicly advertised. It is right and proper that it be completely independent of the Army. The CIO system did not always work well. The Minister has a fertile field ahead of him in dealing with the Defence Forces. There are currently many rumblings...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, but the Minister's speech does not.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I might apply for the position.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, raised the issue of the alarming situation yesterday where documents referring to movements of Oireachtas Members were discovered. I agree with his suggestion that this matter be discussed at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. He asked about the chairman of Aer Rianta and the watches and what happened the Mercedes car. I do not know what...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I say it because I looked around and she was not there. I wondered about it. Several women have contacted me about the BreastCheck programme. Why should the service end for women once they turn 65? One is not about to collapse and die or be put away at the age of 65. Why should the BreastCheck service end for women at that age? In the UK the service is available for women up to the age of 70...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I was not offered them so it does not matter. However, it is odd that members of a board receive largesse but the Minister responsible is not offered any. However, I did not want to be offered any.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan asked what is to happen to the hotels and I will inquire. Senator Lydon spoke about the issue of female genital mutilation and said there should be worldwide legislation against it. Some countries are already bringing in such legislation. The UK has a population of many different races and we are approaching that in Ireland. Regarding Senator Terry's point, on Monday I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Paddy Burke supported Senator Ulick Burke's call for a debate on public private partnerships. Senator Ross requested a debate on the Presidency. Is the matter subject to——

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not know if legislation would have to be introduced to amend the Constitution. Although I would welcome a debate, I am not sure the Houses may debate the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: One would need to introduce a Bill to amend the Constitution.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: We will seek advice on the matter and get back to Senator Ross. The Senator also called for the abolition of political nominees. There is nothing wrong with having political beliefs and it is silly to believe that those with none have a halo. It is admirable to have political beliefs. To exclude everybody with a political persuasion from appointments and insist that everybody must be holy,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I would do so for the Senator in private, although he knows well to whom I am referring.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ulick Burke referred to a court case involving a family. I understand certain facts which have not yet emerged will emerge shortly, although it appears dreadful on the face of it. I am indebted to Senator Minihan for that information. Senator Burke also asked for a debate on endowment mortgages. This would be helpful. Senator Feeney raised the issue of women in sport and supported...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon alluded to decoupling and the appeal system. However, I understand appeals are a matter for the relevant Minister. The Senator wants to open up Croke Park but that is another day's work.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Exactly. I note Senator Browne's point on the back to school allowance. He also referred to the heavy fine imposed on the pub owner, but I believe the publican courted that fine very blatantly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bradford referred to the lack of public outcry over the conflict in Darfur in Sudan. On the Senator's request that each of the new Cabinet Ministers be invited to the House in the next few weeks to outline their policy proposals for the next 12 to 18 months, I made such a proposal last week. I said we would have each new Minister before the House on a rolling basis to lay out his or...