Results 4,661-4,680 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Next Tuesday, 22 June, at2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister of State and the introduction of Senator Coghlan's Bill. Senator Coghlan has had the Bill available for some time and talked to us about it on several occasions. The House was keen that he put forward a Private Members' Bill on this matter. I also thank the Minister for his support for the Bill. He has said he approves of the thrust of the Bill while the legalities,...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: By kindness.

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: But——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Cathaoirleach for providing us with the opportunity to pay tribute to Senator Norris. I had the idea this morning at which point it was a question of telephoning the Senator's secretary to have him jump into a taxi to get here. There was no point in praising him if he was not here. He arrived on time. Senator Brian Hayes added his own tribute and that of his party to Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Whatever happens, we are welded together and Senator Bannon should note that we shall not be going to the country. At a parliamentary party meeting yesterday, many Fianna Fáil Members expressed an interest in placing Senator Coghlan's Bill on a statutory footing. Yesterday, the officials said that was a no-no. I will endeavour to see the Minister today, which will hopefully shed a kinder...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I have not read all of it. Senator Ross also said that the Government partners should stop squabbling. We are not squabbling. We are chums.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I was.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator and I have already spoken about that. We have reached a concordat on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ross referred to the pay talks. As my colleague Senator Mansergh said, the Government is one of the social partners.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The idea that the partners are all there talking without the Government as a partner is wrong. As part of the proposed Seanad reform I have put it to the Taoiseach's Office that this Chamber would act as a monitor, affirmative or not, regarding the issue of the social partnership. This has been accepted. Indeed the Taoiseach suggested it in his submission to the Seanad, which was a very fine...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon put forward the idea we would have a general election. I do not agree. He also raised the issue of radon gas. We laughed at that because of the combination of squabbling and gas. The air is full of it. Senator Ulick Burke raised some timely points regarding third level funding, the special needs teachers announced at the recent education conference, league tables and other...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, Water Services Bill 2003 — Committee Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 1.30 p.m. This will not be concluded because more than 200 amendments have been tabled; No. 2, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003 — Second Stage will be taken from 2.30 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Members will have 15...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I knew that was coming.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Well, the sun is shining.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: A wonderful book.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: What about Ballymahon?

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, quite rightly praised the turnout at the elections. It was magnificent in light of the stories one hears from around Europe about a decline in voter participation. I suppose we all have different ideas as to why our turnout increased but it is very good when people turn out in large numbers. I thank the Senator for his other kind comments. As...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole referred to the committee working on a particular matter and clearly expressed his views, which will be on the record as is fair. He asked if I would speak privately on the matter and I undertake to do so. Senator O'Meara echoed the comments about the path being pursued and spoke about the vagaries of the electorate. She spoke about the Hanly report and decentralisation. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senators should remember the words: "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying".