Results 2,721-2,740 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I have already made representations to our colleagues from Hungary to ascertain whether they would put in place some pleasure boat facilities on a marina on the Danube in Budapest. They are working on the matter. The House will be aware that in the past week there has been a major row in France between Ryanair and the President about an advertisement but that is not the issue I wish to...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to raise a very serious issue on which I touched recently. It concerns the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. I do not want to make a mantra out of this matter. The legislation has been passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and signed by the President, but has not been commenced. Ordinary people do not understand the reasons legislation, even when signed by...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That is the age for a President.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, I rarely disagree with the Leader but he knows that what he has just done is inappropriate.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I understand that.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Each of us has someone in the Gallery regularly. We should either live with that rule or change it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald's remarks on road safety, which is being discussed throughout the country at present. The Leader has made time available for debates on this issue in the past. It might be worth discussing it again. It should be recognised that simple things can be done to improve road safety, but they are not being done. It does not take rocket science to do some of them....

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: With the permission of the Leader, I propose a minor amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 14, Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2008 — First Stage and No. 15, Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2008 — First Stage, which lapsed with the election, be taken today. We will have a long debate on Thursday on the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. I have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I move: That Nos. 14 and 15 be taken before No. 1 today.

Seanad: Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2008: First Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2008.

Seanad: Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2008: First Stage (19 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2008.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Tomorrow's debate on education for persons with special educational needs should raise a number of interesting issues. In the lead-up to this, however, we should recognise the story in last night's news of an empty school facility for autistic children and an autistic child who cannot get in. The school in question has stated that the facility cannot open owing to a lack of therapists but...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Vulnerable tourists, naive native holidaymakers and innocent Kerry people have been defrauded. I ask that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism come to the House and tell Senators the truth about the Blarney Stone.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Leader consider arranging a debate on the annual report of the National Competitiveness Council, particularly as the House has discussed the council's previous reports? I requested on a prior occasion that we debate the report because it brings to light certain issues. At this time of the year, when people are involved in negotiations relating to national wage agreements, there is...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State's reply is reasonable but I have two questions. He stated if the word "trafficked" is omitted, the offence is covered under the offences against the person legislation. Does Senator Mullen's amendment not propose a heavier sentence on conviction? The phrase "takes, detains or restricts a trafficked person" would not add significantly to the work of the prosecution in...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: If the Minister of State did nothing during his time in office other than accept or rewrite this amendment to make it clear that those who use prostitutes are breaking the law and should be prosecuted, it would be a fine memorial to him. There can be no argument against the points raised by Senators McDonald and Mullen. I am familiar with a number of quite logical arguments regarding the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State did not mention using a prostitute.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I apologise.