Results 3,621-3,640 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (10 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar an chéad uair dom a bheith ag déileáil léi sa Teach seo - go n-éirí léi sa job nua. I welcome the Bill wholeheartedly. During the years many of us as public representatives have come across examples of the strains and pressures exerted on families when their elderly loved ones are no longer able to look after themselves. It was easier in the old...

Seanad: Human Trafficking: Motion (10 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate Senator Mullen on the work he has done on this motion. It is crucially important and reflects where we are as a society, even if it makes many people feel uneasy. This is an issue I have raised over the past 15 years and it is time we were honest and open about how we deal with it. There are arguments about this issue but society is afraid to act. There is no logical reason,...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: On the Ryan report, I complimented the Leader previously on arranging the debate, as did Senator Fitzgerald. It was the first debate to take place in the Houses. It was immediate and was important for that reason. It was also important to survivors who mentioned it to me on many occasions. The Leader also made the point, which was raised by Senator Alex White yesterday, that it is an...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I am happy to give an independent view on the inter-party rivalry that has been evident for the past hour or two. Fine Gael and the Labour Party, given their position, are perfectly entitled and correct to call for an election. Equally, the Government is correct to say there should be none. I have been here long enough to see changes. I am sorry some of my friends in Fine Gael have not...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I also wish to be associated with the words of congratulation to former Senator Alan Kelly on his election. I wish him well in his time in Europe. It is a very difficult job to represent the most important part of Ireland. I look forward to his work and encourage him to sell the European message as loudly and articulately as possible, as I have no doubt he will, especially over the next...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It is not good enough. This House is constitutionally far too important to be demeaned and diminished by having its seats used as a barter and a trade to buy political security. This should be looked at very closely.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: My offer to the Green Party is that among us we will certainly find it possible to put forward an alternative candidate, for whom its party members might like to vote along the way. The seat should be left open in that regard. One of those seats was not a Government seat and that should be respected, as would be done on a local authority, to ensure the seat ultimately goes to a...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Or the Taoiseach.

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I agree with the general thrust of this legislation which I believe is necessary. That said, I have a number of questions for the Minister of State. Whereas there is broad public acceptability — I have no doubt this issue is again running in front of the media and public opinion — that service in the European Parliament may not be included...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: We heard again today about another cutback on social services in rural Ireland, with the decision to cut back or review bus routes in all parts of the country. It should be recognised that Ireland is a place where we have both urban and rural communities. We have had a cutback in bus services in the capital and now the bus services in rural areas are to be reviewed. It should be recognised...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It is a matter for the Whips.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, why are these remarks being made in this direction?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Nor a promise.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Did the Senator speak to the archbishop about the matter?

Seanad: Death of former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: On behalf of Independent Members and Sinn Féin, I wish to be associated with the words of sympathy expressed by my colleagues. I acknowledge and welcome the family of Michael Howard to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. When I joined the House in 1987, Michael Howard was already here and he was at all times pleasant, friendly and popular. There was nothing better than to watch the way he...

Seanad: Information and Communications Technologies: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It is difficult to listen to this level of "make it up as you go along" comments from the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan. He is living in a different world. I will give him some examples-----

Seanad: Information and Communications Technologies: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I thought the Minister of State did not like that kind of remark. I heard every word he said.