Results 2,001-2,020 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: Agus anseo, fiú.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: The initial reaction from a group of people I was with when I heard the news about the Ryder Cup not being transmitted free-to-air was that this would be a great boon for the vintners industry and the publicans of Ireland. In terms of the discussions we have had here on the control of drink and alcohol consumption, this is a boost to alcohol consumption. It is an offshoot of this matter and...

Seanad: Youth Affairs: Statements. (6 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State. We need to take a creative approach to the issue being discussed. The issue I wish to address is the waste of resources and the opportunities which are not being given. I agree with Senator Moylan's point that there are facilities throughout the country. We should try to broaden the range of leisure time experiences available to young people. As everyone...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I believe the involvement of the Democratic Unionist Party with the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, even if only as guests and visitors in Killarney during the week, was a very significant step which has been understated to a significant extent by the media. People appear to have forgotten that no Unionist party has previously involved itself with the British-Irish Interparliamentary...

Seanad: Middle East Peace Process: Statements. (26 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the opportunity to speak on this matter. I have been a supporter of Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state for many years. I supported the PLO during this period. I also believe in a two-state solution and have long supported the recognition of the state of Israel. I put this argument directly to the former...

Seanad: State Airports: Motion. (26 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister for Transport to the House. I recognise that his is a difficult portfolio as the issue of airports is so political and local that it raises the hackles of many. However, it is fair to say that we were sold a pup in this regard. When the legislation was going through the Houses I asked for clarification on two areas. I asked for clarification that the then CEO of the...

Seanad: State Airports: Motion. (26 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: He has given life to Shannon, albeit only because he is playing one airport off against another. He played Shannon Airport off against Kerry Airport and the latter against Cork Airport, moving routes around like pieces on a board. That is the game he plays and we should take him on. He lost the war at Dublin Airport but he is still expanding the routes from it. After telling us he will not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Joe O'Toole: When the Abattoirs Bill was going through the House approximately 15 years ago, some Members pointed out the difficulties it would create for local butchers and industry and we have discussed the subsequent problems many times. On several occasions over the years I have heard the Leader talk about the difficulties created for the development of home industry which is destroyed by an overly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: The House will be aware that on a number of occasions I have asked for a discussion on developments under the national partnership talks. Other colleagues, such as Senator Ross, have also asked for a debate, perhaps for different reasons. I ask the House to note, in particular, that at a time when house price inflation is running at over 10%, CEOs and directors are getting increases of more...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: However, these discussions have gone on for an unprecedented period. There has been some movement. Certain things have happened in the area of union recognition in terms of workplace legislation about which we do not know. The issue of money is now on the agenda. We should simply say we will not stand back and watch competitiveness reduced to greedy selfishness on behalf of IBEC, and that we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I am not in any way involved in them and I know nothing.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: This is a timely motion. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. On a number of occasions I have supported fundamentally — as I did in another life — the establishment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund. It was probably the finest moment of the former Minister, Mr. McCreevy's, tenure. I supported it then against many odds and when many groups in society were...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: We recently had a very moving debate on the report into the activities of Dr. Neary in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Members on all sides share the same kinds of views. We were appalled at the hardship, trauma and suffering imposed on those women who went to have their children in that hospital. We looked at the recommendations of the learned judge who produced the report — I do...

Seanad: National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002: Second Stage. (4 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, to the House. Two of these three organisations are reasonably well known, the NESF and NESC, and while the public are still getting to know the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the work done by Peter Cassells and Lucy Fallon-Byrne has been extraordinary. We all know social...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: It is appropriate for the House to note the extraordinary and unfortunate death of Ms Máire Buckley, who contributed so much to Dublin's inner city educational development and battling the effects of social exclusion and underprivilege. Over the weekend, she was unfortunately killed by that tearaway bus. The House has often debated the need to recognise the work of those involved in inner...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: It is great to debate this issue today. I listened to the debate since it began and it is like every other debate I have heard on this issue, in that it is a constant rehearsal of the problems with few solutions offered. I will probably do more of the same. It reminds me of the debates during the past 20 years on agriculture. The game is to blame the Minister. I stated many times that I have...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: Whatever the problems are, they certainly have not been resolved. Simply politicising them does not help our case. It has been noticeable and attractive during the past year to find the HSE picking up the ball on health issues rather than the politician as it always was before. This allows people to grasp and grapple with the issues. We could and should do certain things which we have not...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services: Statements. (9 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: If a Fine Gael Minister is responsible for health matters next year, the doctor still will not have dressings in his case when he comes out. If there were to be a Fine Gael Minister responsible for health next week, the doctor will still be saying the same thing. As MalcolmMuggeridge said before he died, I hope to be surprised. As a rational human being, that is not something for which the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I agree with the points made by Senator Brian Hayes. The matter is heading over the brink at this stage, which is generally recognised by people. Politicians and public representatives have handled themselves very well on the matter to date. They have made clear their concerns. My father was a founder member of the old Garda representative body and, while Senator Hayes will be too young to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2006)

Joe O'Toole: Does Senator Minihan welcome that endorsement?