Results 5,941-5,960 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes. Senator Coghlan supported the call for a debate on the schools building programme. It would be good to have such a debate but I cannot have it now or order it as one would order a meal à la carte in a restaurant.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan also asked about the groceries order. I only heard the Tánaiste talk about the size of stores and supermarkets. I did not hear anything about the groceries order. As there were articles published afterwards, perhaps she is considering it. If she is, she will come to the House and discuss it. Senator Norris asked if and why the Irish delegation abstained in a debate on human...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ormonde asked that the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, come to the House to keep Members abreast of developments in the crucial time before the debate on the Convention on the Future of Europe. Senator Browne referred to the schools building programme and asked that the Minister for Transport come to the House this week to discuss penalty points and insurance. The Minister was here...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot have Ministers coming to the House week after week every time something happens. He or the Minister of State will be in the House tomorrow to discuss the Booz, Allen, Hamilton report. Just because a policy twists the following week does not mean a Minister will immediately appear before the House again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator MacSharry supported Senator Ormonde's call for a debate on Europe, particularly now when matters are reaching a crucial point. Senator Quinn referred to the weekend figures for fatalities on our roads, by which everyone was shocked. People are very punctilious when a new stricture is introduced, but they become more lax as time goes on. The issue should be discussed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: —and his robust defence of Deputy Michael Woods. Senators Ulick Burke and Bannon also requested a debate on education. I explained to Senator Bannon about the number of Progressive Democrat Senators present and I know he would wish Senator Minihan a speedy recovery. We would be delighted to debate the 14 page defence that Fianna Fáil has published, would we not? Would we not?

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon also referred to the care of premature babies in Longford-Westmeath General Hospital and we will ask for clarification on that matter. Senator Phelan also asked for a debate on third level education. It is nice that everyone has such high regard for me and my constituency.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is too late now. What happened happened. Senator Coonan called for a debate on school accommodation. He also requested that the Minister for Defence come before the House to discuss the Defence Forces. Does the Senator not see enough of the Minister in his constituency?

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2002 – Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and on which Senators may share time, the Minister to be called upon to reply...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: So did I.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Leader of the Opposition asked for a copy of the Government's legislative programme between now and 4 July. I will arrange to have it circulated. He also raised the issue of third level fees and sought time for a debate later this morning. One cannot snap one's fingers and summon a Minister just like that. A Minister's day is packed. The Senator is right to request a debate but—

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Opposition Senators had their say and I never said a word. One cannot summon a Minister by clapping one's hands.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Furthermore, the Cabinet has not yet discussed the matter. It would be wrong to discuss it here prior to submission to the Cabinet of a proper memorandum from the Minister. We had a good parliamentary party meeting on the matter at which over 24 members spoke. While various points of view were expressed, I am not in favour of the reintroduction of tuition fees.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: That was reported in The Irish Times yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Let us not pretend it is big news. I only say it because the Opposition states there is dissent. Of course, there is. We are entitled to hold different points of view. We contributed to the debate openly and honestly and were listened to in the same manner.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Toole agreed with Senator Brian Hayes and asked for debate on the matter. I have just been explaining the reason there cannot be one. Senator Ryan asked how it would affect the Seanad resumption at 3.45 p.m. if there was an amendment in the Dáil to the Redundancy Payments Bill. When I spoke about the resumption of business, I was careful to include the proviso, "If the Bill is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I will suggest it to him but he will not come as quickly as that. The Tánaiste has told me that she will come to discuss the steps taken regarding insurance.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion. Senator Bannon asked about cutbacks in the home help service. There have been cutbacks but individual cases are being looked at and help provided. Senator Brennan wants the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Noel Ahern, to come to the House to debate the issue of serviced land and its release by...

Seanad: Redundancy Payments Bill 2003: Motion for Earlier Signature. (15 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2o of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Redundancy Payments Bill 2003 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 May 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, Redundancy Payments Bill 2003 – all Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business until 4 p.m. and, if not previously concluded, to resume after Private Members' Business at 8 p.m. and conclude not later than 9 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons on Second Stage not to exceed 15 minutes, those of all other Senators not to...