Results 6,221-6,240 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: On a point of clarification, Senator Ryan said it was on the Order Paper but, in fact, it is not. That is the reason I read out the list of events. However, it was circulated and laid before the Houses four weeks ago.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Three.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: He was here yesterday with a Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Hayes has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. He also asked for my thoughts on the comments of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, but I am amply reminded that the business of the Lower House is not our business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am going through the comments of Senators. Senator O'Toole described the arrangements for the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act as outrageous and muzzling and saw fit to use various other adjectives. He referred to the list of games I provided. When the Senator raised this matter previously, I told him he could arrange to have debates on any issues by informing the Cathaoirleach or me....

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Henry also raised the important issue of radiotherapy services. Senator Finucane formally seconded the proposal of Senator Higgins. He also asked about radiotherapy services in the mid-western region from which many patients have to travel to St. Luke's which is upsetting in itself when they are in a poor state of health. Senator Coghlan asked that I reconsider the Freedom of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No, he did not mention the golf club.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator also asked about the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill which will be taken after Easter. Members will be able to avail of the recess to study it in full. Senator Bannon asked about what might be done with regulations dealing with the height of vehicles with reference to tunnels. He also asked about the European insurance directive. While we will not be debating it tonight,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is important that Ministers of State and officials are not denigrated.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: A debate was requested on Tibet which should be held as quickly as possible. Senator Daly supported Senator Finucane's comments on the Limerick radiotherapy unit and urged that it be considered. Senator O'Meara supported her colleagues and sought a cooling process on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill. She also sought an urgent debate on health. Senator Quinn brought to our attention...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, I agree to that amendment. Amendment, "That No. 6 be inserted before No. 1," put and agreed to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We have agreed that Senator Higgins can publish the Bill but it could not be published that quickly.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following order in draft: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 a copy of which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 28th February, 2003. Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003: First Stage. (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Not before Tuesday week. Second Stage ordered for Tuesday, 25 March 2003.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I wish to take up a point made by Senator O'Meara, who served as a valued and valuable adviser to the then Minister of State, Ms Eithne Fitzgerald. I was served in Cabinet for a number of years. The Senator said it was her belief that the reason for changing from five to ten years was to ensure that decisions taken in 1998 by the Cabinet would not now see the light of day. Given that I was a...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator O'Meara can laugh as much as she likes, but it is the truth.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The fact is that I was a member of the Cabinet. It might not suit the Senator to acknowledge it, but I acknowledged the Senator's role in the drafting of the legislation. I speak for myself. Decisions might not have been popular, but that is a separate issue to decisions being taken improperly, as is the implication—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I did not say the Senator said that. It is the implication of what she said. It would be wrong for me, as a former Cabinet member, to sit passively and let it pass.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (12 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am entitled to say my piece.