Results 6,081-6,100 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: —the Government jet and his distaste about proposals in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Feeney said there was a small group of militants among those who protested outside the front gate last night. We can discuss that issue when the relevant Minister comes before the House later today. Senator Finucane also mentioned the protest and referred to the fact that Members of the Oireachtas mingled with the protesters. That led to a frisson in terms of the encounter and it did...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We also have Goldsmith.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I will be brief as Senator Kieran Phelan is our spokesperson on tourism. I commend the Bill and the work of the Minister. I am glad the fine work of CERT and its staff has been formally recognised. All tourists, both domestic and foreign, want good value, which has been lacking heretofore due to complacency among providers of tourism services faced with a steady increase in the number of...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. - Business of Seanad. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: On the Order of Business this morning I said the Local Government (No. 2) Bill would be taken today at 5 p.m. With the permission of the House, it will now be taken between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The Minister has informed me he was due to travel to Limerick but is now available to take the Bill. If the debate concludes before 2 p.m., we can have a short sos.

Seanad: Local Government (No. 2) Bill 2003: Order for Second Stage. (3 Apr 2003)

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

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I hope we all do.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: On a point of information, we all try to speak the truth.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: He got it at home.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: In recent months, there have been calls every morning on the Order of Business for the Minister to come before the House. On each occasion I told the House that the Minister informed my office that he was very keen to come here and wanted an opportunity to address Senators about his policies. It is a matter of record that those calls have been made and, by coming to the House today, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003 – Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, to conclude not later than 1 p.m.; No. 2, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002 – Committee Stage, to be taken at 2 p.m. and conclude not later...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Ten minutes all around.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes asked about the proposed delegation to Iraq. I made a cursory inquiry yesterday and was told unofficially that as Iraq is a war zone, the Department of Foreign Affairs advises people not to travel there. However, I will make a more official inquiry today. Senators Brian and Maurice Hayes also raised the issue of the Northern Ireland talks blueprint, which is due to be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am sorry. He is the attorney who is earning €1 million a day. It is far from that for Senator Coghlan who sought a debate on the tribunals and how they are progressing, about which there is a growing clamour from commentators and writers. Mr. Justice Smith wrote strongly about the issue in the magazine, Public Affairs Ireland. However, the Dáil and Seanad established the tribunals and,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: There has to be an odd bit of humour in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Jim Walsh spoke about the house in Moore Street. He mentioned the anaemic planning for the 75th anniversary and expressed the hope there would be more robust planning for 2016, which should start now. He also sought a debate on the cost of public liability insurance, as did Senator O'Brien yesterday. I will ask the Tánaiste to come to the House to give us a progress report on her...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I will alter my earlier suggestion. With regard to statements on the humanitarian effort in Iraq, there will be ten minutes each instead of 15 minutes for spokespersons with five minutes each for other speakers. Time can be shared. Order of Business agreed to.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I understand the cogency of the Minister of State's argument because I was in Cabinet when this debate raged on and off with varying degrees of ferocity. To all our minds it is somewhat alien that one should bestow upon the Central Bank the role of consumer protector, as envisaged in this section.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I understand Senator John Paul Phelan's concern because somehow we see the Central Bank as an overarching and very proper body. However, the idea that it would hold consumers' concerns fast to its heart is slightly improbable, to say the least, and I recall being a participant at various times in that debate around the Cabinet table. Hopefully, the Central Bank will adapt to having this role...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I wish to make a few common-sense remarks. I appreciate the practicality of the Senator's proposal. On the surface, it appears practical that the Minister for Finance should consult the Minister with responsibility for consumer affairs on this appointment – in this case, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I am aware that the Minister for Finance has many discussions with her...