Results 921-940 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: It is the same thing. It shows the primacy of the school in local communities. Senator Norris asked for a debate on drugs and their legalisation. It has come to his notice that some banks refuse loans for affordable housing and that the draw for housing is administered in an obscure fashion. He does not object to the method of the draw but people should know when and where it takes place....

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: Many of the lone parents who approach me wish to work. Their concern lies in balancing the number of hours they can work and their statutory payments. It can be difficult to make this work. If a parent takes a job at which he or she is good, the employer may wish him or her to work full time rather than the maximum number of hours allowable. I have met many lone parents who are keen to...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: It is not. It will not be passed by our Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: I listened and I swallowed hard when this was mentioned. We can give our opinions in the House, but we can also give of our experience. I have not met any woman who believed she had been forced to work.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: Let us debate the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: I will have to revert to being meek, quiet and nice to everyone because then no one will shout at me. Would that not be a good idea?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: All this electioneering has made me abrasive, but I will continue with it. I like Senator White's gumption, which she has in spades. Well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: She is able to put forward her point of view and Fianna Fáil could do with her in the electoral fray for the Dáil rather than the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: She referred to the significant improvement in maternity payments, such as the extra month, and so on. We debated the improvements in the House. While there is sometimes another point of view on the Senator's spirit, I like it. She contributed to today's debate in a fine way. Senator Quinn referred to steps taken by a community in County Meath and referred to it as active citizenship,...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: He requested rates relief for rural pubs. I am fortunate in that there is a pub 50 yd. from where I live. I can walk to it if I want to, but I do not have the time. Work-life balance does not obtain.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator also asked for help to be provided to pubs in respect of the transport programme. Senator Daly asked for a discussion with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on salmon conservation and drift netting. He raised the matter of small businesses in rural areas closing because of a lack of infrastructure. It would make for a good debate. Senator Brennan...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: As do I. County Tipperary again.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, Control of Exports Bill 2006 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 12.30 p.m.; and No. 2, Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2007 — Second Stage, to be taken at 12.30 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.30 p.m., with the Bill's proposer and spokespersons having 12 minutes...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: If the House was not taking the Senator's Bill, we could go home.

Seanad: Defence of Life and Property Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: I also welcome the Bill and I thank my colleagues, Senators Morrissey and Brennan, for bringing it forward and giving us the opportunity to speak on it. I understand it was published prior to the much vaunted Fine Gael Bill, which we heard about earlier.

Seanad: Defence of Life and Property Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: Fine Gael might be talking about it, but they did not produce anything. Senator Cummins' arguments were fine, but I was concerned at the rather childish behaviour of another Senator on his party's benches, particularly where the views of people who have spent time and effort in compiling and bringing forward a Bill were derided, laughed at and compared to those of his five year old son. We...

Seanad: Defence of Life and Property Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: Childishness.

Seanad: Defence of Life and Property Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: The curtilage.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Maurice Hayes requested an extension of the time for the debate on Committee Stage but the House has discussed only 11 of the 34 amendments tabled and, therefore, there is no point in extending the time. Another session will be scheduled.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, but I am conscious the Minister and his officials might want something to eat.