Results 201-220 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: I would. I do not recall ever referring to my achievements.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: The Department of Finance is blocking it.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: I wish to clarify a point I made yesterday about statutory instruments, ministerial orders and papers before the House being placed on the websites. Statutory instruments are already published on the website of the Office of the Attorney General but ministerial orders and papers laid before the House are not and there is a case for their being made equally accessible. It is also an...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: If we know beforehand that it will be challenged, it is bad business to proceed with it.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: The matter was raised to have it clarified. It is very important.
- Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (26 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: I join in welcoming Proinsias De Rossa to the House. The generosity of approach is demonstrated by the fact that representatives of different parties are working together in a common purpose as well as having nuances of difference. That is an important message. Mr. De Rossa has been one of the first on the left of Irish politics to recognise the advantage of the European movement and advance...
- Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (26 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: Partnership is a very focused arrangement. It is certainly not co-government, as the secretary to the Cabinet might, perhaps, say. Neither do I like the idea of co-decision-making. Somebody must be in charge. I listened carefully to Mr. De Rossa's statement which did not describe co-decision-making. He also used other nice words such as "consultation" but I am not clear as to the precise...
- Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (26 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: That is why we invited him here.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: The last matter raised by Senator Brian Hayes has been discussed by the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. The Revenue Commissioners and the Ombudsman have appeared before the committee to discuss it and it will be making a recommendation on the matter in the next ten days. There was a lengthy session with the Ombudsman and the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners. I have...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)
Joe O'Toole: And a dining car.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: Everyone must agree that the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003 is being rushed through. It is the revenge of Sir Humphrey to get the Bill spun through as quickly as possible and all the pain over with in one day by pulling all the teeth together. It reflects badly on the Government. Senator Hayes's proposal has much merit. While we all agree that certain amendments should be made...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: I thought the Senator would like that.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: The progressive wing of the Government is upset by this but, unfortunately, that is where matters stand. We have not had an assessment of how well or badly the Act is working. In the main it is working very well. However, issues need and can be addressed. The contents of the Bill have taken everyone by surprise. There has been no consultation with those who use the legislation, including the...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: I compliment Senator Ulick Burke on taking a brave stand on this issue. It is something that should concern every Member. There should be an inquiry into what is happening in planning in Galway. This is not a political or a party issue; everyone in the House should seek to discover why these questions are being asked. Those on Galway County Council should recognise that they are not separate...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: The Leader made a comment about the time limit. It seems she accepted the second amendment to which she said she had no objection.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: The Leader didâ
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, the Leader said something about the time limit. She said she was not opposed toâ
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: As I said on the Order of Business today, this legislation is Sir Humphrey's revenge. By any standards â and I take a balanced view in regard to the legislation â the Freedom of Information Act was in need of amendment but this was precisely the way not to do it. This Bill is a mistake and we will rue the day that it is passed.
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: I also know how brilliantly they do their work but this was not a job for them. The users were not consulted. A users' group was set up to monitor the operation of the legislation but the last time it met was in 1999 or 2000. No one asked it about this legislation. Will the Minister of State tell me the correct title of the group because I would like to table an amendment regarding it on...
- Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)
Joe O'Toole: That is what any ordinary sensible person would say. He would not even begin to try to justify it. There has been no consultation with any strand of civic society. The Taoiseach is in Northern Ireland tonight doing much hard work to maintain an agreement which establishes the importance of civic society on this island. We are discussing an issue which makes civic society important. It is one...