Results 3,221-3,240 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Stem-Cell Research (Protection of Human Embryos) Bill 2008: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. His contribution was very important. I compliment my colleague, Senator Mullen, on bringing forward this legislation. For the record, I have done everything possible to have this matter raised on the floor of the House. In line with what Senator Ó Murchú said, I believe it is crucially important that we engage with these issues. I do not...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: On the constant requests to the Leader for a debate on economic affairs and finance, whereas it makes no difference to me and other Dublin-based Senators that the Seanad will meet on a Friday, it is somewhat unfair to other Members who have to travel here and who may have made other arrangements. It is an extraordinary coincidence that the Friday selected happens to coincide with the Fianna...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I find that extraordinarily convenient.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: It is not a cheap political point, it——

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: ——is an important point to make on that issue. My colleague, Senator Ross, made some important points during the week in regard to FÁS, many of which have been followed up. I hope that debate will not be trivialised by people calling for the resignation of a Minister on the basis of her having had her hair washed. To do so trivialises a serious debate. It is outrageous that it should...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: There are serious issues to be dealt with and they will be dealt with by the Committee of Public Accounts. This is the level at which such matters should be dealt with. The issue of recapitalisation of the banks has arisen once again as individual private equity firms seek to invest in the banks. I again urge that the Government approach this cautiously. The Government, however it has...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Let us wait until Fianna Fáil gets into government and it will sort all that out.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I note that the Leader has once again funked having a debate on education this week. It is clear that the Government is seriously embarrassed by the fact that it is the only area where frontline staff are being removed from service provision. Having a debate on the issue would be the honest thing to do so that we can examine the potential impact and hear the arguments from both sides. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: He is a great man.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: What about the hospital in Dingle?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Rubbish.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: It is a pity the Minister for Education and Science does not have the guts to come in and tell us himself.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I would be very pleased if the Government bore in mind Senator Fitzgerald's points. I would be much relieved if Mr. Donal McNally, Mr. Maurice O'Connell and Mr. Colm McCarthy were not allowed to get their hands on the public service. After years of arguing with them, I have no doubt they will do the Government's job and I wish they would not. I will oppose the Order of Business today...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: It is worthwhile recognising that on many occasions in the past four years the Kerry Senators on this side of the House, Senator Coghlan and I, raised and pushed the issue of Valentia and Malin coastguards and the rescue service. I had support from the Leader on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Leader brought this to the attention of the Minister on our behalf and it is much appreciated. It is worth recognising the Government has done well in reversing this appalling decision. It means much to the people in that area and it would be churlish of us not to recognise the good work in recent times from the new Kerry Senator on the other side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Daly took a great interest in it and should be credited with some involvement and interest in this. That is something done.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: After that little bit of fun, táim ag caint anseo leis na blianta faoin sórt polasaithe atá ag an Stát i leith na Gaeilge. Appalling decisions have been taken in recent times. Go dtí seo, bhí deontas tuairim agus €1.5 milliún in aghaidh na bliana do na coláistí samhraidh atá bunaithe sna Gaeltachtaí. Tá na coláistí sin thar a bheith tábhachtach. The Government says go...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Who cares about them? Bury them one more time. In the middle of this, the Minister announces go bhfuil méadú in the general Vote don Ghaeilge. Here is the question to the Leader. Ag an am chéanna, tá an Rialtas ag tabhairt €3 mhilliún breise do Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Cén fáth go bhfuil €3 mhilliún ag dul dos na ceoltóirí agus go bhfuil sé á bhaint ón teanga?