Results 2,621-2,640 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Last week and the week before I suggested a debate on legislation that established the HSE, the Health Act 2004. This would allow an informed debate on the different roles of people. It is crucifying to hear views in the public debate and the Dáil debate as if people never read or debated the legislation previously. Perhaps it is the trade unionist in me but I tend to react strongly when I...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I believe in holding the Minister to account and disagree fundamentally with many of her views. I will continue to debate them. There must be proper due process and a clear understanding of accountability so that when there is a change of Government, the next Minister with responsibility for health, if he or she comes from this side of the House, will not have to put up with the same...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Realising Equality and the Traveller Community: Statements (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Norris for sharing his time with me. I have been involved in this issue for many years. One of my assentors for my very first election campaign was Nan Joyce, a spokesperson at the time for the Traveller movement. There is a need to ensure we take the proper approach on the Traveller issue. I listened carefully to the Minister of State's speech but did not think it as...

Seanad: Realising Equality and the Traveller Community: Statements (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Incidents arose in Galway some years ago, and Tipperary and Wexford in more recent times, whereby unacceptable comments were made about Travellers. The idea of an ombudsman to deal with issues pertaining to the Traveller community is useful and sensible. However, having been a supporter of Travellers' rights for as long as I can recall and having fought to ensure they received education and...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Good man. That is very polite of him.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I am firmly committed to an upper house. At present the Seanad is unrepresentative, undemocratic, anachronistic and unfair in the way it is put together. The point raised by Senator Alex White is right in that a university electorate is elitist, a cadre, exclusive and unacceptable in a democracy. However, it is not the only thing which is unacceptable. The only reason I am on the...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: However, we must ask why there is a university panel. If we worked on the basis of one person, one vote I would not have a difficulty with maintaining the university panel. In other words, if we elected people by direct vote and if 10% of Members were elected by university graduates — although I have no doubt a lot more than 10% of the population would be graduates — I would not have a...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Fitzgerald's point on grants is certainly worth considering. We should remind ourselves that last week we raised with the Minister for Education and Science the fact that we expect management grants for primary schools to be doubled, as was indicated or promised at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis. We expect this to be announced next week. We have recently raised the question of ethos....

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: That is outrageous. The job of the trade unions is not to preserve inefficiencies. They have led the charge against inefficiency in the public service.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: One should sack those who do not do their work.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: There is a bit of help for Senator McFadden.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Set that to music.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to bring to the attention of the House a well-produced document on social and economic indicators from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service. This is the kind of document that would cost a lot of money in the private sector. It is superb and the people who prepared it should understand we appreciate it is an outstanding piece of work. I bring it to the attention of the House...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The votes may be transferable next time.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear. It was a public service well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We might also congratulate the teachers.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister might be left until last.