Results 341-360 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: We might not understand them, but the Senator should go on.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I am sorry. The Senator should excuse me.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I proposed it last week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Coghlan is going to call into his office.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes and others raised price fixing and competition and the need for a debate on the matter. The Senator also asked that financial institutions inform their customers of the changes brought in by the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, in the budget. My experience is that we will pay for them anyway and that the financial institutions will recoup whatever expense is involved...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I listened in a docile way when Senator Ryan spoke. We all have to sit and take it when the Senator goes on the lecture trail. We are equally entitled to give—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator should watch out. He will be broken with stones. I thank Senators Dardis and Norris and others for raising the US hijacking of the Iraq dossier. It seems the US has already made up its mind that it wants war and that is what it will get, which is frightening. Senator O'Meara referred to RTÉ and the increase in the licence fee. Our understanding is that the increase was passed at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon has portrayed a great interest in the Bill but he has not tabled an amendment to it. At least the Labour Party tabled an amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: There are four hours for the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Bannon had the night to reflect on the legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Everybody understands Senator Bannon's concern but he did not vote against the legislation nor did he table an amendment. Senator Leyden called for a debate on the Middle East, which he has sought since he came into the House. It is a matter to which the House must pay serious attention.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I do not say we should do what the Dáil is doing but I point that out so that Members can get ready to vote and display their indignation next week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Is the Senator's indignation outrageous? All Stages of a Bill will be put through the House next week but, in my defence, I have resisted taking Bills in such a manner up to now.

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography: Motion. (11 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 the following proposed measure: a Council Framework Decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, a copy of which proposed measure was laid before Seanad Éireann on 24th October, 2002.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: May I suggest that, if at 6 p.m. there are still Members who wish to contribute, rather than concluding the debate it should be adjourned until a later date in the new year?

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I am happy to say a few words on this matter and, indeed, to follow the contribution of Senator O'Toole. No doubt we could all do with a great deal more money for all sorts of projects. That is the way the world goes. The allocation for 2003 is €147 million, a considerable amount of money. There is no point in saying that there will not be a penny spent on primary schools and many schools...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: No, Deputy Enda Kenny spent it all in 1987 before I got my hand on it.

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: Was he not right? When I went into the Department the cupboard was bare anyway. I know that many schools, particularly at second level, had the flat roofs and the poorly constructed buildings of the late 1970s. They were a disgrace because problems developed within ten years and huge maintenance money has now to be spent, either on their complete refurbishment or reconstruction. I remember...

Seanad: Primary Education: Motion. (11 Dec 2002)

Mary O'Rourke: I strongly resent the percentage of money which is given to professional surveyors, architects, second teams of architects, etc. It takes a huge amount of money out of the budget for primary school building and in many cases good jobs can be done neatly and well with much less expenditure. There is no need for that kind of money to be spent. It is different when building science laboratories,...