Results 3,941-3,960 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: The idea of people having seven votes is nonsense. There are other issues with which we must deal. Those who state that the Seanad should have more power do not understand its function, as established under the Constitution. It would be completely wrong for the Upper House to pervert permanently the will of the people as expressed in the Lower House. Our job is, by force of argument, to...
- Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: There is no amendment.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: Taking up the last point made by Senator Fitzgerald, I want to be careful not to give the predictable response. The Government made a rash, uninformed and overly quick decision on the NUI. It was done without sufficient consultation and in the course of a review of third level education, but I will wait to see what the Minister has to add to it. In the meantime, there are a number of...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: It is a little late to do it now.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: We had it here in 1987.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I am delighted Senator Fitzgerald has raised this issue, as it is one I have raised time and again. It all reverts to the non-implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. The sections which deal with the matters mentioned by Senator Fitzgerald have not been commenced. It is crucial that the Minister discusses this issue in the House. The Act passed...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: Last Thursday I drew the attention of the House to the motion proposed by Senator Norris and seconded by me, which read: "That Seanad Ãireann urges the Government to introduce legislation aimed at regulating the sale of dangerous, non quality controlled and indeterminately compounded substances through so called 'Head Shops' ". The Leader kindly agreed to take the motion if there was...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: We are very grateful.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: What about Senator Terry Leyden?
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I am withdrawing the amendment on the basis the Leader has promised a debate on this next week. I ask him to issue a formal statement that the House is taking this position and that we will discuss the issue raised by Senator Wilson next week.
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: With the permission of the House I wish to share my time with Senator Norris. I would appreciate it if the Leas-Chathaoirleach would indicate when my time is up.
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Gormley, to the House. I compliment him on bringing forward the Bill. Before he gets overly enthusiastic, I should say I have certain reservations about it. It is important that the Minister introduces legislation in this area. I hope he will listen to the arguments made. Some aspects of the matter addressed by the Bill, and related areas, are quite...
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: However, I make the case because there are issues we need to discuss. The Minister might take exception to it, but it bothers me in terms of this issue that there is a dismantling of the culture of rural Ireland in the context of hunting and other areas. That is unacceptable-----
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: There is something wrong when the leafy suburbs of the city begin to write and implement the laws for the meadows, mountains and stony soil of rural Ireland. I have put this to the Minister previously. I welcome the fact that he has involved the local authorities but he should operate according to the philosophy of the Green Party, namely, to devolve authority down as far as possible....
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I accept that point.
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: As the Minister was present I felt I should make the point. It is the classic example of getting my reaction in first because I believe the Minister is working on something else behind the scenes. There is no question of the licence fee paying for the cost of what is proposed. One can work it out. I did the sums a while ago. I worked it out according to the minimum wage and how many...
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I guarantee that this would be a support for the Bill. I would like to get rural Ireland behind this legislation. That is why I wandered off the main theme. Some day we will return again to the horses and other issues. Let us make the legislation work. Let us protect dogs from the horrors and cruelty of puppy farms. To do that, let us get all of rural Ireland, namely, hunt groups, game...
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I seek the protection of the Chair.
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: We have seen very few hunts in North Great George's Street recently.
- Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)
Joe O'Toole: I am glad to hear it.