Results 5,141-5,160 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am glad the Senator said that.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, I know. Or one has the other side of the equation, with people asking why the No. 11 bus did not run at 7.10 a.m. instead of at 7.20 a.m. That is the sort of question I used to be asked as Minister. One cannot know at what time every bus goes. There are two sides to every argument. It is right to allow the Minister to issue directives. I point out to the Acting Chairman that I will be...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I recognise Members may make laudatory or condemnatory comments and that the Minister of State will have to speak but when Committee and Remaining Stages of the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004 are complete, there will be a sos until 2 p.m.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Order for Committee Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Committee Stage of the Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004 be taken today.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: There is huge interest in this Bill and we are delighted that the Minister has attended this House first, allowing us such an extensive debate — so much so that the debate will not end at 1 p.m. today. That might not dismay the Minister but perhaps his officials, who like to move things along. We understand that. They are shaking their heads, so they want further debate here too. That is...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: No. It is too late. At any rate I imagine the man is well hooked.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Bill is very interesting. The most interesting aspect is the clarity it brings to different functions of the Garda Síochána. That occurred to me when the Minister spoke recently, and on re-reading what he said and on listening to other people. It is the Bill's greatest asset that in a segmented, although not a fractured way, everyone within the Garda will know what are his or her duties...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes rightly paid tribute to Senator Brennan and I was glad to have an opportunity to do so yesterday. There is a handsome photograph of yourself, a Chathaoirligh, and Mr. John Hume, MEP, in The Irish Times today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The visit of Mr. Hume to the House yesterday proved to be a very good occasion. I was particularly delighted by the presence of so many Members. I understand that the board of Teagasc took the decision to close the research facility at Ballinamore and relocate it elsewhere. That is not good for the people in Leitrim who wanted it left in their area, but we must face the reality that the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am delighted to find that he shares my view. It is a question of having a balance. I do not decry all county managers, but planning officials have assumed life or death importance in local communities.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: One cannot decry whatever they choose to say. I have seen many people so dispirited because their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews or neighbours cannot get planning permission for a house for their own use. It is a big issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I was asked about the Fur Farming Bill, which, I understand, is a Private Members' Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: There are, as yet, no members of the Green Party in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: We are the real green party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not know if this matter is appropriate or important, but we have other matters to discuss at present. Senator Dooley mentioned the IBEC report. I am delighted that Senator Bannon welcomes the proposal for one-off rural housing. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, you are right. Senator Bannon displays great energy in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: He spoke about staff problems but there is no need for additional local authority responsibility in this matter because the Minister is providing the guidelines. A change of heart is needed in the minds of many of those officials, but that will be much harder to bring about because they have become the new kings of the counties. Senator McCarthy rightly deplored the use of psychiatric...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: One could think of a handy addendum to Senator Feeney's comment. I will ring the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism following the Order of Business to inform him the matter was raised. That would be helpful. These women will play their guts out and will then be sent to a pub to watch the game. The GAA would not do that. Senator Ulick Burke called for a debate on wind energy, which would be...

Seanad: Diseases of Animals Act: Motion. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that section 17A (inserted by section 2(1) of the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act 2001 (No. 3 of 2001)) of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (No. 6 of 1966) shall continue in force for the period ending on 8th March 2005.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Food, which has completed its deliberations, relating to the extension of section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 for a further 12 months, the provisions of which enhance the Minister's ability to deal with all disease situations and, in particular, to identify, investigate and prosecute factories,...