Results 6,301-6,320 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I call it a filibuster. The Senator asked for a guarantee that there would be a senior Minister present on Committee Stage of the Bill. We regard all our Ministers as excellent and whoever comes in will do an excellent job. He also wanted a guarantee that amendments would be accepted. He must wait until the debate happens for that. I agree with those who want to thank the staff. Through the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Quinn gave a timely reminder of the anniversary of the Stardust tragedy and mentioned the three major fires in night clubs around the world. He asked if the same attention could be paid to this issue as is given to the penalty points system for the roads. We were all filled with foreboding when we heard how many died last weekend. Senator Coghlan asked what Bills were due to come...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Order for Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

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

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: We generously provided some additional time in respect of the debate on the previous item. The Minister who is taking the next item will be here at approximately 3.05 p.m. and we should suspend the House until that time. He was originally not due to be present until 3.30p.m.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No, I do not want him to be left waiting outside the Chamber for ten minutes when he could be usefully employed inside. We will suspend until 3.05 p.m.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: What about the Presidency?

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I welcome the Minister, who has been very good about coming before the Seanad. I do not know whether that will last because, after a period, he may become fatigued by being obliged to travel from one Chamber to the other. Nevertheless, we are happy that the Minister has been prepared to come here on several occasions in recent weeks. This week should see us pass two important items of...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It would. There is that fear. However, when they settle down to their roles and when ways are found of making contact with local people and working with them, it will receive its due measure and will be leavened into a middle way. That will take time and this is an important step towards that. I agree with Senators Fitzgerald and Norris that the then Minister, Deputy Dempsey, paved the way...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I cannot mention his name because he is not a Member of this House. That man played a blinder – as many Kerrymen do – at the last joust, and he won the day. However, a change of mind began to set in after that as people asked what strange animal the dual mandate was and what its reform would mean. That paved the way for this Bill.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: When was that?

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: A revolution.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: They did not want them but now they do.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business shall be No. 1, Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, with the contributions of spokespersons for each group not to exceed 30 minutes – this follows requests from two or three of the parties that speaking time be increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes, to which I am glad to accede – and those of all other Senators...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: At least Senator Ryan was funny.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Four. There was one Lady Humphrey.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It is great that the House and Visitors Gallery are so full. I welcome everybody. The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, proposed an amendment to the Order of Business which I expect to be dealt with at the end of my response.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes said I was acting in an unseemly fashion. I may be many things but unseemly I am not.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 will not be guillotined. We will sit until midnight. The time slots can now be extended and Senators will be allowed to speak for 20 minutes or more. The proceedings might become a little unseemly as time progresses if everybody says the same thing but if Senators wish to be allowed 15 to 20 minutes, that will be acceptable. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Dardis spoke about the North, a subject on which we all agree, and the Morris tribunal. I remind the House that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for the Seanad took the initiative on the Morris tribunal issue. We were determined that we would take the lead in the matter and the Dáil followed us. While I hope it will follow us to whatever end is necessary, I also hope common...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank Senator Hanafin for raising the matter and telling us how many votes Deputy Bertie Ahern got in becoming Taoiseach. Senator Norris supported Senator Brian Hayes and reminded us all that poodles were vicious when provoked which I hope is not the only occasion. I very much agreed with him in respect of taxi plates and the fact that the rich were purchasing them to speed up journey times...