Results 3,841-3,860 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State. This legislation was born out of the toughest of times and significant public interest in developments in FÃS. It is the Government's response to these developments. Notwithstanding this, I have major difficulties with regard to what is absent from the Bill and some regressive aspects of the legislation. I take as given the points made about the good work...
- Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I second the amendment proposed to the Order of Business on holding a discussion on the relationship between the State and AIB. People are planning to go out on strike next Tuesday. This is another nail in that coffin because they are saying that the Government is prepared to pay any amount of money to bankers while crucifying public servants once again. The logic is irrelevant because that...
- Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: We know she introduced legislation.
- Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: That sounds like a secure nomination.
- Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Those people support next week's strike even though they are not allowed to go out themselves.
- Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I wish to share two minutes of my time with Senator Norris.
- Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: We have learned from the last three speakers that no politics are international. I welcome the Minister who has outlined the objectives of the Bill. While I fully support what is included in it and have no difficulty with it, it raises wider issues. In that regard, I would like to pick up on some of the points raised by Senator Doherty. I have long wanted a debate on neutrality, something...
- Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: The United Nations, like Christianity, has never been allowed to work. It is not currently democratically controlled, but if it was and the Security Council did not call all the shots, it could operate as a world police force which could take decisions on when we needed to intervene. It is the most appropriate body and very close to the way we operate. We could demand a UN position and...
- Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister and this debate. The motion before the House is an appalling one and the amendment is not great either. When a motion welcomes something being done by the Government and an amendment welcomes something being done by Fine Gael, it is very hard for an Independent Member to find the middle ground. I wish to make it clear to the Minister that I want the Green Party to...
- Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I will not contradict the Minister and I am glad to hear it. That has been suggested to me, but I have not yet seen the Bill. I appreciate the Minister's commitment. I am saying people outside the Green Party also believe this is a really great idea and that it should be pursued. I am sure the Minister would prefer if I did not mention that the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy...
- Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Applicants must give a ten-year commitment.
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I acknowledge and welcome the Taoiseach's statement last night on old age pensions, senior citizens and their awards. It is important that the Government explains itself in such situations. The statement relieved many people of their worries and such simple comments are important. In terms of understanding how people feel about the matter, many people have asked me about the day of action...
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: There are things which can be done and everybody realises they have to be done. People should move forward. The Taoiseach's statement last night is important and he should follow it with an acknowledgement of his understanding of how people are feeling uncertain about their futures. Everybody works to the limit of his or her salary whether it is small or large. If the amount is being...
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: For God's sake.
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: We are obliged to raise more money in this way than any other European Government.
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Is this relevant to the Order of Business?
- Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State and the heavy-hitting advisers he has behind him. I know well their expertise in this area and I have discussed and argued issues with them over many years. I must declare an interest as a member of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. This is an issue of great interest to me. The question of standards in accounting and auditing has to...
- Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I am at one with previous speakers in welcoming Senator James Carroll's election. However, we would have wished him to be elected through a reformed process, but this is not the time to discuss the issue.
- Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: We welcome him.
- Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Senator Carroll's youth will do much to reduce the average age of Members of the House. To give him a kick-start, going back to his student background, I suggest he might like to raise on the Order of Business today the slowness of the Government in bringing forward the student support Bill which is of such interest to the people he left behind in UCD. I ask him to open with that issue. I...