Results 6,701-6,720 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of human rights and referred to former Senator Maurice Manning, who is now chairman of the Human Rights Commission. He also called for the commission's report to be debated in the House. I will be happy to put such a discussion on the agenda in the new year. The Seanad will resume after its Christmas recess on Wednesday, 29 January 2003, the same date as...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I would like to invite the Senator to my party's meeting today, but I suppose I should not do so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator could attend as a fraternal delegate. Senator O'Toole mentioned the proposed changes to legislation dealing with directly elected mayors, a provision about which I am enthusiastic. People have their own views on such matters and it appears that the idea is to be forgotten. Senator O'Toole is in favour of the direct election of mayors, but others have alternative ideas. I believe...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ryan, with the support of Senator Hanafin, argued strongly that the House should issue a unanimous statement to the effect that the Israeli authorities' refusal to allow the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Arafat, to go to Bethlehem should be overturned. I agree with the Senator and I am sure other Senators feel that a motion, signed by representatives of the various groups...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: It should be in the Seanad soon. Senator Norris also spoke about the Arts Bill and mentioned the role of The Chieftains in the Irish music scene. Senator Ó Murchú, like others, has a strong opinion on the traditional arts and he mentioned that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, said during a radio interview this morning that there has been no coherent policy or...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I am quite sure there will be a debate on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris mentioned the planning laws and the development that has been allowed by An Bord Pleanála on the Cliffs of Moher. Senators Norris and Cox raised the issue of housing in Gaeltacht areas. Senator Ormonde asked for a general debate on An Bord Pleanála outside the context of any particular Bill. She has made similar strong requests in the past. I will endeavour to get the...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment: Motion. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: 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 a proposal for an EU Council Framework Decision of the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, a copy of which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 5 December 2002.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business which was agreed earlier today, whereby we take an earlier signature motion in relation to the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002, on the completion of the Statute Law (Restatement) Bill, 2000.

Seanad: Statute Law (Restatement) Bill, 2000 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I also welcome the Minister of State who came here at speed from the other House, which we appreciate. Yesterday the Seanad debated at length the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002. It was thoughtful and interesting. Members of the other House were annoyed that the Dáil did not have the same time to consider the Bill. If amendments are considered here and there is good time for debate,...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Motion for Earlier Signature. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I move:

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I was greeting the Minister.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: On a point of information and not wishing to be contentious, I wish to comment on the last point made by Senator Norris. There are people of different race and colour driving buses and trains in this country. I remember 11 such people taking up employment in our transport companies. I know one of them quite well. I see him driving his bus practically every day.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Our transport company employs people of different colour and race.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I did not interrupt Senator Norris. I respect his opinion but I felt I had to correct him on that point. As Leader of this House and the organiser of business, there was no jiggery pokery involved in bringing this Bill to the House. The matter was placed on the Order of Business and was so arranged.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion relating to the Bovine Diseases (Levies) Regulations, 2002, a measure referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food which has completed its deliberations, without debate; No. 2, motion relating to the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, (Amendment to Second Schedule) Order, 2002, providing for the insurance of objects from abroad...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Did the Senator say she supported or opposed the abolition of the dual mandate?

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: No.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: It was better to keep away from Eircom.