Results 1-20 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath whose deductions under the universal social contract appear excessive. [3240/11]

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: I apologise because I had thought the rírá in the Dáil would continue for a good deal longer. I realised I was due to speak next but, thankfully, by the time I came from the bowels of the LH 2000 building, my colleague, Deputy Mitchell, was here to speak. I am pleased to speak on the Bill. I am looking at the Minister and I wonder will he get this through? Will it go anywhere? Will...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: Deputy Mitchell already has an amendment. Much will depend on what I hear from the Minister at the end of the Second Stage debate. Does the Acting Chairman know whether Second Stage will finish today?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: Then it will have to go to Committee Stage. I understand this is the last stage of liberalisation. In my day as the Minister for Public Enterprise, I introduced the original liberalisation from Europe. I understand there have been two stages along the way. I was interested in the information we received, which is knowledgeable and concise. It states that since 2002 there has been no drop...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: It has stabilised somewhat. We were informed that once liberalisation started and technological changes were introduced, it would mean that the people would no longer write or post letters. I wish to speak on this point. Naturally, we all receive e-mails, sometimes up to 20, 30 or 40 per day. People should try answering those. Previously at least, one had the luxury of opening a letter,...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: Yes, perhaps. However, the Deputy should be aware that it all depends from whom it comes. No doubt in the months ahead, Deputy Michael D. Higgins will be sealing many such letters with a great many kisses. I recall when my sons were in college and the pleas for money would be made. I used to sit down and write a letter agreeing to send money but asking what it was being spent on and...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: That is excellent. I recall the great chief of An Post, Mr. John Hynes, telling me when I was Minister with responsibility for the postal service that the rate was over 90%. Something in my head always told me it was not. It was probably the nice thing to say to the Minister as it would keep her quiet for a while. There is still a great degree of certainty that if one posts a letter in...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: That is good. We in the country will be just as posh as all those who live in Dublin 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: I sometimes buy books through Amazon and it is a powerful service. Deputy Olivia Mitchell referred to other online stores that deliver to homes. More and more people use online shopping which provides a business opportunity for An Post if it is smart and snappy about taking it up. I am sure it will as there is a good strategic management team in An Post. Before the Minister, Deputy Ryan,...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: We have had wonderful correspondence.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: Good.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2011)

Mary O'Rourke: There will be a chapter all about the matter and it will contain the truth. I will not provide a polished up version such as that which Deputy Higgins might seek.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (16 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: Question 108: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the institutes of technology are participating in the scheme whereby an unemployed teacher can be taken on by the institute and work for social payments. [47922/10]

Written Answers — Public Interest Directors: Public Interest Directors (16 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: Question 143: To ask the Minister for Finance the Irish banks that have public interest directors on their boards; in the case of each director when they were appointed; the remuneration of each such director; the duties each director was required to carry out in the public interests; the term of office of each such Director; and to whom do the public interests Directors report [47920/10]

Written Answers — Work Placements: Work Placements (14 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the way an unemployed teacher or special needs assistant can apply to work in a school and receive social benefits. [46993/10]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (14 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: Question 223: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has been turned down for a mortgage subsidy. [46987/10]

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (14 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: Question 253: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will arrange to have the work expedited on a project (details supplied). [46988/10]

Stability and the Budgetary Process: Motion (Resumed) (1 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this motion, ill advised though it is. When Deputy Conlon spoke about the decreasing numbers on the live register, it led to risible laughter. I do not know why, but it is a fact of life and I am very satisfied that for three months in a row, there has thankfully been a decrease in unemployment.

Stability and the Budgetary Process: Motion (Resumed) (1 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: I know the rule that when somebody else stands up, one sits down. I was told that when I first sat on the county council. That is many years ago now. It is very helpful that there has been a decrease in the number of people signing on. It is not enough and I wish it was accelerated. There is one important nugget within that information that we gleaned today. One third of those who are...

Stability and the Budgetary Process: Motion (Resumed) (1 Dec 2010)

Mary O'Rourke: We must first ask the electorate-----