Results 1,901-1,920 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: That is not to be respected or tolerated. There is no room in such a debate for that kind of name calling. I dread that in the next nine months, black and white stances will be taken on this debate. This is not a black and white issue. If it was, it would be very easy to nail one's colours to the mast.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It is not such an issue. It was very worthy of Senator Hayes to raise the matter in the way he did. He went on to say that he thought political parties would give a free vote to their members. I fear that will not be the case, but I hope the debate will not reach that point. I admire the fact that members of the same parties in Europe were able to divide on the issue without rancour. One of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: He is by now. Senator Leyden spoke about Gaza and the Hamas Government. Israel stated that the people kidnapped are not bargaining chips. It is tit for tat, but one side is superior to the other and the oppressed are suffering. I was very interested in Senator Browne's comments. He warned against the commercialisation of research and talked about the debate at the health committee about...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It is a terrible crime and is done on a nightly basis. I hope the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will accept my Bill. Senator Quinn spoke graciously and expressed his regrets to Senator Ryan, which were needed and well merited. I am sure Senator Ryan accepted them. He sought a debate on stem cell research. He also spoke about credit card debt and recommended that people use the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: We will also take the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill back from the Dáil. That is the programme and Senators should gird their loins. Senator Henry spoke about embryonic stem cell research. Whatever way the Senator put her words, they epitomised to me the complexity of the issue. While she expressed concerns about the moral aspects, she also expressed concern about...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator is quite right, the award made to the Honourable Desmond Guinness is to be commended. While I do not want to be seen to correct my colleague in combat, Senator Bannon, the competitiveness of industry has not decreased; it has increased. A particular report has recently been published. I accept what he said about Iarnród Éireann and the unreliability of a certain train. I am not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I know all about it. In addition to expressing anger at the train delays, Senator Terry also spoke about the postal delays, which occur everywhere. I live 100 yd from the sorting office. If I get my mail, it arrives at approximately 3 p.m., which is an amazing phenomenon. I understand An Post has a new man at the helm. Changes always take place and I hope this will continue to be the case....

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I will.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Order for Second Stage. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., spokespersons will have 15 minutes and other Senators ten minutes, and the Minister will be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before conclusion...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I did.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: There is a great chorus off-stage from the birds outside. They must be delighted to hear us, echoing what we are saying.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator is very sexist. Senator Brian Hayes, whom I would not have thought would be sexist, asked that the Government would not oppose Second Stage of the Housing (Stage Payments) Bill tonight. I intended to seek that because Senator Coghlan had spoken to me about this. Senator Coghlan has a letter from the Minister which would be of assistance in the debate. Perhaps we can agree on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: Extreme left, yes. Senator Ryan spoke about the serious situation of Palestine and Israel and he sought statements here. He feels that Ireland is besmirched by the official EU line on the matter. Looking at and reading about it, that has struck me several times. I do not know from where the time will come from, but we will make an endeavour in that regard. Senator White asked for the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It would be a good issue for an Adjournment matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Cathaoirleach for that good idea and thank Senator White for raising it. Senator Bannon took up the European cause of safe drinking water and then narrowed it down to this country. He stated we have a deteriorating water supply and an aging system of water provision. He referred to the group water systems. I remember when group water systems were the way to go and one would be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: It was near Senator Bannon. I was surprised he was not there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I am not going to do that because I will be here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: No, I will be here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)

Mary O'Rourke: I have sent my regrets. I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh.