Results 2,341-2,360 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I referred to County Galway generally.

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (22 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter and I thank the Minister of State for dealing with it. It is not the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment but the Minister of State is an accountant and it was an accountant who brought this to my attention. Why is a married person working for his or her spouse who is a sole trader, in the context...

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (22 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I should have said that. I just took the example of a husband and wife.

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (22 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: So the Minister of State is on my side.

Seanad: Social Welfare Code (22 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I appreciate the Minister of State's answer. That people might have mutual affection for each other and should not expect to be rewarded with a salary is quite an appalling suggestion to come from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Under the nine grounds cited in the Equal Status Act, this is discrimination on the grounds of marriage. One issue with which I did not deal and which...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: It would be nice to welcome back the Cathaoirleach with a note of congratulations to the GAA to be taken on the Order Paper on his return.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We debated the nursing homes question on a number of occasions and the Leader will be aware of the issues raised both on the Order of Business a number of times previously and in discussion through recent statements. I am of the firm opinion that no one set of inspectors can inspect nursing homes and I have argued as much here many times. There are too many aspects to the job, with facets...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: If they do not we will guarantee the debate will last for the time allocated to it.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: There has been a very disturbing report on a subject that has been raised on a number of occasions, by myself and Senator Coonan among others. It concerns the differentiation between retail prices and farm gate prices and the undermining of farming. It is nothing to do with my colleague, Senator Quinn, who has left that behind him, but the farming element. There is something wrong if...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We must consider how this works. Farmers are not getting a fair deal. They are arguing about the wrong issues and perhaps we should argue on their behalf because they need some support in this regard. They are not getting the value of their work.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Well done.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to comment on this report. I fundamentally disagree with the Minister's view that it was unfair and ungrounded to suggest this was a diversion from other issues. I firmly believe it was and I hope I can prove that to be the case. The issues not in the report raise questions. The two previous speakers from both sides of the House mentioned some of...

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Otherwise, everybody else wanted to get to the bottom of it. Let us do so. I ask the Minister to pull back the report. It will allow us to deal with the issue of class size. Why cannot the Government give a commitment on future class sizes and take the steam out of this? If it will be done let us hear how. Provide trust and confidence and let people plan for next year if it is put in...

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Minihan is an education partner.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Yes.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The report is wrong. That is the point.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Her timing was perfect.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: That is correct.

Seanad: Learning to Teach Report: Statements. (27 Feb 2007)

Joe O'Toole: And soldiers and politicians. They are everywhere.