Results 5,841-5,860 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon is my friend too.

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I know that I should not refer to other Senators—

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The quality bus corridor programme was implemented during my time in office, when between 300 and 400 new buses were purchased. New buses had not been acquired for Dublin for 20 years and those in place were belching out noxious fumes. I remember saying to the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, that I would not leave his Department until I had been given funds for new buses.

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The money was provided year after year after that meeting. The traffic in Dublin will improve as part of an evolving process. The improvements which have started will be added to and implemented, but there will be pain before there is gain. There is no doubt about that because it is the way advances are made in any transport system. It is interesting to read through the debates in these...

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: He has no railways.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 2, the Risk Equalisation Scheme 2003, which is being referred to the Joint Committee on Health and Children without debate; No. 3, the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003, which is being referred to the Joint Committee on Education and Science; No. 4, statements on the Convention on the Future of Europe, to be taken at the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of the ECB and the refusal to date of the three major banks to reduce their loan rates. It was interesting that a spokesperson for one of them said it was not "in the capacity" of the bank to reduce its rates. I cannot understand this. Such language seems most odd. Withholding such reductions is piracy. One is reminded of the remark made by the disgraced...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris also raised the issue of speed limits and road tolls. We are having a debate on transport on Private Members Business tomorrow evening. Senator Dooley asked for a debate on interest rates and stressed the moral obligation of the banks. He is quite right in that respect. Quite apart from the fact that they make large profits and have the financial competency to do what they...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No, it will just come back on to the agenda. Senator Glynn referred to the enforcement of the regulations regarding carriage of particular kinds of offal. The Senator also described the way in which the banks are treating us as resembling the widows mite. Senator Quinn spoke about the numbers of people driving on provisional licences and of those who are awaiting driving tests. The test and...

Seanad: Risk Equalisation Scheme 2003: Referral to Joint Committee. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following scheme in draft: Risk Equalisation Scheme, 2003 copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 22nd May 2003 be referred to the Joint Committee on Health and Children, in accordance with paragraph (1) (Seanad) of the Orders of Reference of that Committee, which shall not later than 17th June 2003 send a message to the...

Seanad: National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order, 2003: Referral to Joint Committee. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following draft order: National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order, 2003 copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 16 May 2003 be referred to the Joint Committee on Education and Science, in accordance with paragraph (1) (Seanad) of the Orders of Reference of that Committee, which shall, not later than 26...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (10 Jun 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and the succession of Ministers who have come here since, for attending this debate. The Members who have sought the debate epitomise a particular tenor of this Seanad in concentrating on European matters. The Joint Committee on European Affairs, of which our spokesperson, Senator Ormonde, is a member, has kept to its task since the Convention...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and on which Members may share time, the Minister to be called on to reply not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the leader of the Opposition, sought a debate on the recently announced OECD report. This would be very useful. I reject his contention that the OECD damned us all. Initial reports in the papers suggest, as Senator Dardis highlighted, that, in many respects, it approves of the way we do our commercial business and run the country. I acknowledge Senator McDowell's point...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator's remarks were very disturbing. I suggest that he convey them to the Minister for Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, because we are not aping the English shires and we never did so. Why should we follow their planning guidelines? Senator White praised last night's healthy debate on the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003. I am glad to hear it was healthy....

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Order for Second Stage. (29 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now." Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, report of the Joint Committee on The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Charters Amendment) Bill 2002, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders relative to Private Business, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes, the leader of the Opposition, indicated that 20 June was the date for the ratification of the convention and called for an all-day discussion on the convention on the following Tuesday, 24 June. The effects of the convention are huge and they will affect us all for years to come. I fully agree, therefore, that we should have an all-day debate on the issue prior to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: These areas of public life are generally best kept apart. Senator O'Toole congratulated the Garda Commissioner designate, Mr. Noel Conroy, whom I know well. He is a fine person and I have no doubt he will be an inspiration for the force. The question of the appointment of an ombudsman for children has been raised previously in the House by Senators O'Toole and Brian Hayes. I made inquiries at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, but it came into force 14 months ago. It is hoped the discussions, which concern terms, conditions and finance, will be concluded quickly. The Departments are actively engaged in deliberations on the issue. I will get back to the Senator on the issue, about which I made inquiries around two weeks ago. A long time has elapsed since this promising initiative which was welcomed all round. I...