Results 4,181-4,200 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 1: After "enacted." to add the following: "Conscious of various staffing embargoes and concerned about the lack of qualified and experienced personnel available to the Government and the Civil Service, in areas such as banking, bond markets, global economic models, financial instruments, credit rating and related functions, Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: It might be helpful if both of the main parties calmed down a little on this issue and earthed themselves into what is happening in the real world. The reality is that the discussion document from Europe is hardly an assault on our sovereignty. On the other hand, it is a bit rich for Fianna Fáil to describe Deputy Richard Bruton as a Eurosceptic or jingoistic; that is not his style. We...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: For those people, me and unemployed people, the idea that Europe might be casting an eye over our budget is far from being an intrusion into our sovereignty. Rather, it is a great reassurance and provides a sense of certainty which I welcome. The idea that we can share our views and discuss them with our European partners in order to ensure that none of the 27 member states goes AWOL again...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for this important debate. I wish to acknowledge the important contribution Fine Gael has made to this debate. It is difficult for the Opposition to indicate support for certain things, particularly when this can be interpreted - or misinterpreted - as being support for Government. Fine Gael's position reflects precisely that in which...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, I thought the Green Party was included in that list of spokespersons.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The matter I wish to raise is one I have brought to the Leader's attention previously. The lack of legislative business both last week and this week and for the foreseeable future is worrying for both Houses. I do not point the finger, however, at the Leader, as I am aware of how hard he works to have legislation introduced in this House. However, I do point it at the Government, as there...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is right.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, the House has a Standing Order to deal with personal statements. I am not getting involved in the issue but the Cathaoirleach is completely right on this. If somebody wishes to correct the record etc. there is a way of doing so and it is written into Standing Orders. I accept Senator Leyden's good intentions but the Cathaoirleach is correct. That is the way it is...

Seanad: Role of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Statements (18 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State. One of the problems is that this debate reflects on the individuals we appoint to the board of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland because it has become so narrow. I disagree with Senator Mooney, although I agree with much of what he said. I recall i rith na seachtaine seo caite bheith ag féachaint ar clár ar feadh uair a chloig, déarfainn, ar Fleadh...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to return to the point I made yesterday about legislation. Looking at the Order Paper for today, one can see 12 Bills tabled by various Members on this side of the House that are yet to be dealt with: two from Senator Bacik, three from me, two from Senator Quinn and others from Senators Coghlan, Regan, Ryan, Alex White and Cummins. I note that yesterday in the other House there was a...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I previously raised the question of energy. Legislation introduced in the other House by Deputy Varadkar states the Government should make an attempt to reduce the cost of energy, communications, travel and so on by 10% where it has such influence. This is a reasonable point and has become relevant in view of the recent job losses in the pharmaceutical industry. One of the factors that...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: -----in which we would also deal with the Front Line report on the Shell to Sea campaign. There are issues in that regard that need to be discussed. We must consider why the Government has not moved on the issue. If we are to achieve independence in energy production, gas from the Corrib field must be brought ashore. This should be an issue of urgency, although I agree that Shell must...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Minister of State consider this point? One of the biggest problems in creating space for women in politics or in various organisations is right-wing and conservative women who, having become successful in their own way, feel they should pull up the ladder behind them. These women often say: "If I did it, they can do it." This is a serious point. I have dealt with this problem in...

Seanad: Women's Participation in Politics: Statements (Resumed) (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I am a practical person in that regard. It is a question of participation being seen as a means to an end. We need to consider other matters also. One of the problems with Parliament, apart from the fact that it is very much a male club and male-friendly, an environment in which I am very comfortable, is that its schedule is not attractive to women. We need to tell the media that may take...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate Senator Quinn for developing this legislation. I welcome the Minister of State. This issue was touched on many years ago. I refer to the system of buying and selling property in France. The matter is dealt with by a notary public who is, effectively, a lawyer for the common interest. The parties may also engage their own solicitors if required. The job of the notary public,...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is good to hear.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I am worried now.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Government took a decision last year on which there was very little discussion, that is, the setting up of a hotline for missing children. Throughout European countries the 116000 number is used. It is a number people can ring immediately if there is any danger of a child being kidnapped, absconding, going missing, running away or whatever internationally. At such times, families are...