Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Joe O'Toole: There is no point fighting that old fight; it is over.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Tá sí réitithe agus socraithe.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Joe O'Toole: A ministerial order will do fine.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We need another look.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate Senator Ross on his acknowledgement as Father of the House and recognise that he brings to the office a style which we expect of him. I note he has exploited his temporary position to the best of his ability.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: On behalf of the Independents, I congratulate Members on all sides of the House on their election or appointment. I also wish to point out to new Members that my particular role in this House comes without a title in that I am required to discharge all the functions, duties and responsibilities carried out by the leaders of the other groups but I dare not be called by the "L" word on any...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We are not leaderless because we have a steady rudder. I extend our congratulations to the leaders of the various parties and groups, including Senator Fitzgerald, Senator White, Senator Boyle and, in particular, Senator Cassidy who has served this House with distinction previously. We look forward to keeping him under pressure. I will respond later to some of the points made by him. I am...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I am not sure whether Senator O'Malley takes the view of her leader, but we look forward to congratulating her, perhaps, in a few weeks' time. It is a positive reflection on progressive politics that my old sparring partner, Senator Eoghan Harris, has finally made it to the upper echelons of political power. No doubt he will bring colour, controversy and character to the role. He has found...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: ——but in finding his way to that particular Damascus, he found more routes than the Michelin guide has to offer. I wish him well. Senator Ross looks very comfortable in the role of Cathaoirleach. Among this group there was a feeling that he might have considered a nomination to that office but as he declined, we will not propose anybody at this point. We believe it would be appropriate...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: That is what the Leader said.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We have established where the leak is.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: On behalf of the independent Senators I offer my warmest congratulations to the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. We are delighted for him and are confident he will do a fair and equitable job as he always did in his previous roles in the House. They may even celebrate in Lusmagh tonight; that will be the real test. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the courtesy he always extended to us in his...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I welcomed the intervention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs last night when he exhorted the authorities in Burma not to take action against the people demonstrating there. It is an issue which resonates greatly with people in this country. We saw similar action as far back as the time of O'Connell in the 1820s and in Northern Ireland in the 1960s. Gandhi also made it a feature of...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, there is a long tradition in this House that Members making their maiden speeches are not interrupted. This should be respected.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: It is an easy thing to do.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Anywhere.

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach. (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The Independent group will not put forward a name. We had a long and deep discussion and the unanimous opinion was that Senator Burke did an excellent job during the previous Seanad. We were impressed by his calmness, openness and how he accepted voices equally from both sides of the House. We are happy to see him nominated and wish him well in the job.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Before the election, I raised in this House the importance of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. The Bill was passed through both Houses with acclaim on the basis that it would finally provide the resources necessary to allow people with special needs to reach their full potential. The guarantee given was that this would allow schools to do their work, would...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The age of chivalry is not dead.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.