Results 4,961-4,980 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 — Committee Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude at 1.30 p.m.; No. 2, statements on the CLÁR programme, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 5 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed ten...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Parents who——

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Dáil will observe a minute's silence at 12 noon and this House should do likewise. That does not mean everybody should be present because Members have various appointments and so on. I thank Senator McCarthy for raising this matter. Senator Brian Hayes raised the issue of the constitutional referendum. He expressed himself forcefully on the issue and we will have an opportunity to fully...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I go to one of them for a few days every summer. I could say much more but I will not do so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan said that two senior staff members have been forced out. I have been invited to an event to mark the departure of Mr. Feeney, who has given great service toParknasilla hotel. He was not forced out as he wanted to leave.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ross raised the issue of Seanad reform. We are delighted to know that inside his heart beats ambition.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: As the Cathaoirleach does not show any signs of giving it up, the Senator will have to hold his whist. The report on Seanad reform will issue on Wednesday, 28 April 2004. The text was returned three times to the printer, to deal with the print size and errata. We are all committed to a full debate on it in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am coming to that point. It will be fully debated. The Cathaoirleach and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will receive it first as they set the terms of reference and then the debate will follow. I want to be quite explicit that it had all-party support until a particular point, which had nothing to do with reform itself——

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: ——but with a separate issue, the commission.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: A Member informed a meeting that it related to the way the commission was set up. It has broad support and it will be signed by four Members, including the Senator's leader — I know one does not call him leader.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The report has been approved by the Senator's spokesman. He will get a chance to debate it. I note the Senator wants a widening of the universities' electorate, but in the referendum of 1979, some 25 years ago, the people voted for that but it was never enacted in legislation. I hope that a quarter of a century later the report supports the will of the people. Senator McHugh raised the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (7 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: As agreed on the Order of Business this morning, the House will now observe a minute's silence to mark the tenth anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements (Resumed). (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Cathaoirleach is disobeying his own rules.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements (Resumed). (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak in this debate and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, for attending. He is very assiduous in coming to this House and is very cheerful about his duties here. I congratulate the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, on introducing the guidelines. Of all the duties we have as Members of the...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements (Resumed). (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Have those policy directives already been invoked under the Planning and Development Act 2000?

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements (Resumed). (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes asked when the House will debate the Government resolution on the report by the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. We have had contact with the Taoiseach's office and we are awaiting a response. I believe the resolution will be laid before both Houses following which we hope to have a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Leyden spoke about penal reform. We should have a debate on this matter after Easter. Rather than taking up valuable prison space, we should identify some other way for those who are in prison for not paying debts to make amends. He spoke of the terrible accident that befell a lady in Boyle following a shot from a .22 rifle. Senator Ulick Burke spoke about the three Rs. I have high...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It is verbal disruption. However, the survey showed that it is a serious matter. It is a reflection of society and is not the fault of the Minister for Education and Science. Senator Moylan called for a complete review of the law on firearms. I accept that he has knowledge on that matter. Senator Cummins asked about the designated traffic corps and the additional 2,000 gardaí. I hope there...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the European Council meeting in Brussels, 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, those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and Senators may share time; No. 2, Maritime Security Bill 2004 — Committee and Remaining...