Results 5,761-5,780 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Of course they would be smiling.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes correctly made suggestions about filling the time. The leaders should meet outside for a few minutes to try to reach a formulation. I was genuinely surprised at the swift passage of the Arts Bill through the House. That caught us off guard because we thought it would take longer, based on the experience in the other House. However, as Senator O'Meara said, that may be a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It will be important to get the appropriate Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It looks like Members are bidding for the spare time, which means I am involved in a tender process. Senator Brian Hayes also mentioned Sellafield and planning issues. I said yesterday that a debate on planning had been arranged for a particular week, but the Minister became ill. I hope to rearrange that debate. Senator O'Toole agreed with Senator Brian Hayes. He also raised the issue of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No. It is the information which came to the Cabinet yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Perhaps everyone got it. The Minister asked me to convey certain matters to the House. Senator O'Meara also raised the issue of disability and the ombudsman idea, which has been floated. There seems to be a view on all sides that we can advance that cause in a positive atmosphere, which would be good. Senator Mansergh asked that the Minister for Transport should come into the House to discuss...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Cox asked for a debate on competitiveness and the minimum wage. When I heard the amount mentioned this morning, I thought it was quite small. However, I understand how people in business must feel if they have to pay extra wages. The Senator asked that the Tánaiste come to the House. I will try to advance that matter. Senator Browne said the length of time the tribunals were taking...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approve the exercise by the State of the option provided by Article 3 of the Fourth Protocol set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam, to notify the President of the Council of the European Union that it wishes to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Regulation on procedures for amending...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Business of Seanad. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I apologise for interrupting the debate but this is an important matter. I indicated to the Cathaoirleach earlier that we would have a meeting to discuss the possibility of extending the debate. We ascertained that a large number of speakers have offered to contribute, which is good and significant. I thank the Minister for choosing to make his statement on the health reports in this Chamber.

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Business of Seanad. (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We are delighted he has done so. To return to the Order of Business, an extra hour is being taken for this debate on health. This morning I indicated that the debate would finish at 2 p.m. but it will now run until 3 p.m. That is not to tie the Minister here, however, because a Minister of State will attend the House later. I will now have to ascertain the position with regard to Private...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: They will be.

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The health debate, as I proposed earlier, is being extended until 3 p.m. The sos will follow, after which we will resume with the Arts Bill. We tried to get the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, to come before the House, but he is standing in for the Minister in the Lower House this afternoon. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley. I...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Minister and the official from his Department, who remained in the House throughout the debate. We had an excellent debate from all sides of the House. Unfortunately, all who wished to speak did not get an opportunity to do so – the Whip has a list of those who still wished to speak. However, there is nothing we can do in that regard at this time but I hope there will be a...

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

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

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001 – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 4.30 p.m.; No. 2, motion re Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 5.30 p.m., with the contributions of Senators not to exceed ten minutes and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, talked about the NESF report, which is to be issued tomorrow, relating to the rights of cohabiting couples, including same sex couples. We have come far when a body like the NESF can issue such a report and have it debated. That is good, open and promising. One of the earlier debates on this issue took place in this House in Private Members'...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: How long more does the House envisage the debate will last? We are eating into the time for the next debate. Would five minutes be sufficient?

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We will extend the time by five minutes because we are tight on time for the rest of the evening. I amend the Order of Business to allow for this debate to finish at 4.40 p.m.

Seanad: Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (24 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period of 12 months beginning on 30 June 2003. We extended the previous debate by ten minutes and we are now extending this one by the same amount, so that it finishes at 5.40 p.m.

Seanad: Arts Bill 2002: Second Stage. (24 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Hear, hear.