Results 2,281-2,300 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (13 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: My Independent colleagues and I wish to be associated with the words of the Leader and Senator Brian Hayes. I understand Senator Ross served alongside Mr. O'Brien in the House for a short time. I knew him through his involvement in other areas, particularly his close connection with the INTO. His involvement in that organisation began when he studied at the De La Salle teacher training...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I would like to be associated with the congratulations to a former Member of this House who has been elevated to Minister of State, Deputy Haughey. I wish him well in his work. He was an active Member of the Seanad when he was here with us. There has been much discussion on the issue of management companies that run housing estates or apartment blocks. Difficulties have arisen from them...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: Do I have eight minutes?

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I have spent much time over the last week looking at both the proposals for a press ombudsman and press council of Ireland brought forward by the media. I have also read very carefully this Bill and the Privacy Bill 2006. I am completely opposed to some measures in the Privacy Bill. They are not right and go too far. I will not support the...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I will do so. That was a nice link on the part of the Acting Chairman.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I take it that the phrase, "and has refused or failed to do so or has done so in a manner that is not adequate or reasonable having regard to all the circumstances", means that partial privilege is allowed in certain circumstances but that if a publisher refuses to implement what has been asked of it by the press council or press ombudsman, partial privilege will no longer be extended and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: On a related matter, we recently discussed mandatory sentences and Members expressed concern about the fact that mandatory sentences were not being implemented. At the time, I suggested it would be useful to have a debate on the matter. In this respect, it was interesting to hear a distinguished barrister this morning outline the reasons mandatory sentences are not imposed. If we want to...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: This is not the kind of material one would receive from Departments. For example, it shows that Ireland has fewer acute beds than the European average and is spending less of GNP than the European average. It also contains positive material from the Government's point of view. I am simply pointing out the issue. It highlights work at ground level and particular counties, including County...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I should also declare an interest as a member of the commission. I am delighted to see this legislation——

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I would like if the Senator were allowed to make her point of order.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: The commission was established by legislation which we are changing today and part of that was the appointment of members of the commission. The commission comprises four Members of the Dáil and three Members of the Seanad. The Seanad representatives are elected by the Seanad Members, including Senator White.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: I cannot do much about it if Senator White is developing amnesia.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: By decision of the House Senators Ulick Burke, Mansergh and I were appointed.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: Whether a Member decides to cast her vote is nothing to do with me. Members of the commission were elected by this House. Every Member was given notice of this on the Order of Business. It is on the record of the House. I will take pleasure in sending it to Senator White. The commission does not micro-manage the House, which is very busy. Senator Mansergh referred to the work of the...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: That is not the way in which we should conduct our business. On the dissolution of the Houses the staff continue for a number of weeks. Am I correct in interpreting the Bill as facilitating an orderly changeover? Will people have a number of weeks to tidy up their offices and wind up operations? Correctly, the Bill then suggests that an appropriate charge may be made for use of facilities...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, this has nothing to do with the business of the commission, which has no control over the hours and sittings of the Houses. That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It is out of order.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: It is not the business of the commission.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator should take it up with the Department of Finance.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, I will not allow that on the record. The commission is not allowed, by virtue of legislation, to deal with hours, salaries or any of the matters mentioned by Senator White.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (14 Dec 2006)

Joe O'Toole: It is unfair that the commission is being lobbied with this.