Results 3,141-3,160 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: We have not taken a decision, right or wrong, about it and we are the last ones who can start criticising those involved. I admire the decision taken but I do not know enough about it to discuss the rights and wrongs involved. The university was left in a vacuum with no guidance from the Legislature. The governing body consulted its own experts and took a decision on the basis of their...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator should concentrate on the budget and not give us a history lesson.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That has not commenced because the Government has ignored it. We are being misled.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator should stick to the facts.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I am quite happy to be interrupted when I get something wrong.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: We have heard enough from him.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: It is not. The first section has not even been commenced.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I will tell the Senator about them in a few minutes.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The council has no power. The Government does not listen to it.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Government reverse these proposals?

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I will not mind being interrupted if I mislead the House at any stage. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. It is regrettable that he is being put into the bearna bhaoil. We have heard much that is incorrect. Níl mé ag cur i gcoinne an méid atá ráite ag an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill. Caithfidh mé scéal amháin a insint. Nach mór bliain ó shin, bhí orm féin agus an...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I will finish on this point and, I apologise for being a little disorderly earlier. The first principle of economics is that a country needs a well educated healthy population. It cannot go anywhere without it. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, told us that out of large classes came the Celtic tiger, implying that with further large classes we might again see...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That is "Battonomics", a new economic textbook from the Minister for Education and Science who should wise up. "Batt man" needs a little bit of talk in his ear from Robin.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion (29 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Starting now.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Leader very kindly, at the conclusion of the Order of Business yesterday, spoke about putting factual matters on the record. It is time to engage with fact in the debate on education. There is much unfounded comment that is presented as fact when that is not the case. I would like the Leader to confirm that every time the Minister for Education and Science challenges the teachers'...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I second the amendment. In particular, I wish to focus on the impact of the budget on farming and the west. I raised many times in the House the difficulties relating to fishing and infrastructure in the west. I have raised many issues, such as Valentia and otherwise. I am coming to the conclusion that the Government does not care a whit for the west of Ireland and that it considers we...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The impact of the budget on small farmers, sheep farmers and people in disadvantaged areas is utterly disproportionate. That is the problem with this budget. While everyone is aware that cuts must be made, in each sector they are being made on those who are most vulnerable. A debate on agriculture should take place and I will make a significant contribution on the subject of disadvantaged...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: If the Senator checks the budget he will find an increase of 9 cent on the price of fuel.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That has nothing to do with the budget, of course.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Oct 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Deputy Boyle is poacher and gamekeeper.