Results 6,541-6,560 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: It appeared to be a very riotous occasion.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not think every debate will be as riotous.

Seanad: Treaty of Amsterdam: Referral to Joint Committee. (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approve the following proposals: that Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure:

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: As is the Minister, but fair play to the Senator and all those who are here.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Ours will be closed 20 years before its time.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I did not intend to speak, but I decided to do so having listened carefully last week, when the debate sparked a good deal of interest and many Members contributed. Having listened this morning to Senators McCarthy, Cox and McHugh, I can see that there are many varying points of view.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: One cannot arrange to meet a county manager these days. One will see the person down the line. The managers are protecting themselves with a wall of advisers who supposedly deal with matters at local level.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: There is a wall of under managers and then more under managers. At first, people were pleased that there were these various elements. They thought they would be chairmen of the bodies and do plenty of work. It has not worked out that way. It is just a huge increase in bureaucracy. I am a great supporter of local government and decision making at local level. That is what people are elected to...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am making my point; the Senator will have plenty of time to make his. There are some councillors who do not want to take decisions on matters that will affect their electoral prospects. They like to have somebody they can put in the stocks and at whom they can throw rotten turnips. In this case, it is the county manager. The Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, is welcome to the debate. I...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: No, I will use all my time. I hope the Minister when dealing with amendments on Committee Stage will, in an amendment, position the Bill as a temporary measure and set a benchmark for waste disposal, through various means, for the counties. It is easy to take the decision now to provide a new landfill site that will be modern and properly lined and layered. However, there will be seepage from...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Leas-Chathaoirleach will have to control the Senator.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I know all about the development plans and the arguments pursued on their variations. I have spent years on local authorities, but the Senator suggests I know nothing about them. If he can find a county which adopted waste management charges with the unanimity and delight of all its members, he will have found a county in Tír na n-Óg. I have not come across a single county where unanimity...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: They were wrong.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 2, Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Bill 2002 – Second Stage, to conclude at 1 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and on which Senators may share time – Committee Stage of the Bill will be taken at 4 p.m., to conclude not later than 6 p.m.; notwithstanding anything in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator asked if the Act was being subverted.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Distinguished.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Hayes asked about Second Stage of the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Bill. It is due to conclude at 1 p.m. As Committee Stage is due to be taken at 4 p.m., there will be a three hour gap. Normally it would be better to have a longer gap but it is better to take Report Stage later. Those who have tabled Committee Stage amendments can proceed with them. Having Report Stage the next...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: I am not sure in what category we would put Senator Ryan. The nature of the person infuses the debate. The Government has been quite clear. It is awaiting what the chief weapons inspector says on Friday to the United Nations, with which we are linked, whatever it says or does.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Mary O'Rourke: People are talking about leaks to the newspapers. Sometimes that is done for good reasons, at other times for mischievous reasons; one does not really know. Senator Ryan wanted a debate on housing. Senator O'Toole and his comrades – comrades being the right word – managed to include the need for housing in the new programme, which is good. However, without making a political point, Mark...