Results 3,321-3,340 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The disparaging remarks about members of the public made by the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, at the end of her speech gave a very bad turn to a very good speech. I refer to the idea that Sligo people were coming up here for the craic. I have just spoken to the secretary of the Sligo branch of the retired teachers who was appalled at the suggestion, but nonetheless it was made. I have...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The issue is why we put forward these amendments and the matters with which we want to deal. At that meeting, people asked how they could get involved in the political process and they wanted to do various things such as crowd places and so on. In this regard, I said the thing to do is for people, in a mannerly way, to visit their local politicians in their constituencies to put their points...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That is the way, if we want to play politics. Some of us are trying to control that kind of politics and to get proper respect for politicians in their constituencies by engaging with the public and listening to their point of view. I spoke to members of that group for a full hour on that point. I cannot state how disappointed I am with the view that has been offered on this.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: As I stated on Second Stage, the problem is that getting information from the HSE always takes time and it is often incorrect. That is the issue here. It is not a case of trying to put extra pressure on it. It is the only way in which we can be sure of knowing what is happening and it is a very reasonable request. There is a way out of it. The Minister of State could give a guarantee,...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: There should never be reference to people in the Visitors Gallery.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: However, the minute the Minister of State did that, the floodgates were opened. It was a breach of convention.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I was unaware of this matter and I commend Senator Fitzgerald on raising it. In one such set of circumstances the Government will recognise that the cost of nursing home charges will definitely be taken into consideration on each occasion. In other circumstances, such as those contemplated by this legislation, it will not. Is there not invidious discrimination in that respect and is it not...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I draw the Minister of State's attention to the section of the Constitution that outlaws invidious discrimination. This occurs where people are discriminated against for no valid reason, which is what the Minister of State is describing. Not even the law can do this; it cannot be decided in law that action will be taken in certain circumstances and not in others, unless there is an...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: With a couple which has just reached a divorce settlement, somebody could be without a house but have half the value of a house. The person may be waiting to purchase a place. The person may have a very low income but much money generating income for a short period and he or she would not be in a position to apply for a medical card. I can understand how the Government, under this section,...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That does not take into account a very substantial issue. When people are living in a house, the only factor considered is the stream of income. The Government does not consider the capital value of the property. It is not worth anything to anybody living there — they go in and out, sleep and eat there and they own it. It is of some value to the people they leave after them. If the...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: May I ask one question?

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Every single Government statement over the past 24 hours has indicated that there could be deflation next year. The consumer price index could drop, which would save the State money. I cannot understand how this will necessarily involve a potential charge. It may, but it will not necessarily do so.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State is arguing that the Minister has power of regulation under the subsection. Does the application of such a regulation require the positive approval of each House of the Oireachtas, or is it merely required to be laid before both Houses without approval? In other words, does it need the positive or negative process?

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: It does not need to be discussed or approved by the Houses?

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That is unfortunate.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I want to refer to the provision concerning a person's savings or similar investments. This comes back to the earlier question I raised about interest. I want to know what "similar investments" means. I know what savings are and everybody is clear about that, but I gave two examples earlier. If a person had to sell his or her house, one would not generally consider that money to be...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Where is the reference to a capital sum?

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: No, I am not. Let me clarify. On page 5, line 11, the Bill reads, "...not including the income from the portion of the person's savings or similar investments whose capital value does not exceed €36,000". Line 19 reads "€72,000". These provisions are clear, but there is no interpretation of "similar investments" or "savings". If a person must liquidate his or her house and puts that...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Yes.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State is missing the point. Someone went to the trouble of writing down those phrases. He or she did not just write "interest income". Rather, he or she referred to income from a portion of a person's savings or similar investments. What does this provision cover? One could not consider the sale of a house, as outlined in my example, as savings or a similar investment. I...