Results 4,381-4,400 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I ask the Minister to reconsider the amendments. Every time we put a phrase into legislation such as "allowing discretion to be used", it has reached the stage that it must be proved in court that discretion can be exercised and shown as exercised. Every time there is a list with the words "including" or "inter alia", an element not on the list can be challenged in court. The legislation...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We should add to that list those decent public servants who are keeping the infrastructure of the country operational. It is worthwhile recognising this. Let me make a comment on something we will discuss later. We could welcome the fact that the IMF and its friends are insisting on implementation of the Croke Park agreement within the next year. For the past six months I have been saying...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, I dislike Members telling the Cathaoirleach there is room for improvement. If Senator Callely has a difficulty, he should talk to the Cathaoirleach. It is utterly unacceptable for him to-----

Seanad: Tributes to Member of Staff (2 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The measure of how well a person does his or her job is how easy he makes it look. On behalf of the Independent benches I say go raibh míle maith agat as ucht do chuid oibre ar feadh dhá scór bliain anois and it is very much appreciated. He has dealt courteously over the years with those of us who have only rented seats in these two Houses. I often saw Shay going about his business and...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: As we approach the budget and there is a focus on the involvement of Independent Members in the other House, in particular, I wish to note the extraordinary imbalance in the commentary. When Ministers vie with each other to direct money from the national lottery to their constituencies, or to secure school buildings or decentralised offices for their constituencies, they are considered to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We were never told by the Government about such a meeting.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is not the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is not the issue at all.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I do not wish to take up the time of the House unnecessarily. However, this is a mistake. I studied physics for many years. While all other measurements are metered, the kilogram is the only unit of measurement based on a mixture of arithium and platinum that is kept in France. It is the only unit of measurement kept in a solid physical state. It used to be based on the weight of a litre...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: This is a classic example of what happens. The Minister of State does not know the reason for the uncertainty that required the matter to be clarified, yet he has opted to make this decision based on the advice received. I do not blame him for that, but this is what is going wrong in Irish politics. Everything I have said is factually correct. I am a legislator and do not know what is...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 11: In page 18, subsection (1), line 32, to delete "7 years" and substitute "20 years".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The problem I have relates to the contract duration which I would like to see increased from seven years to 20. Section 17(1) states: "An Post is designated as the universal postal service provider for a period of 7 years beginning on the commencement date". That is unfair and an extraordinary short period to deal with the business in hand. I have examined recent major contracts. For...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State misses the point as it is precisely for the reasons he mentioned about innovation and moving forward. It is to ensure people take a long view in respect of making changes. While I am open to correction, my understanding is that ComReg will make a decision on service levels and the form of service. As the Minister of State noted, the universal service obligation is...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I do not want to argue with the Minister of State's points, but he is not picking up on our points. The length is not the issue that will preclude innovation. I completely agree with the Minister of State's point on that. Of course roads are different, but I just used that as an example of contracts, pay back and long-term investment. It is up to the Minister State to accept or reject...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Still, however, he has no conscience about using the Eircom phone line.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Well, most of the people who have moved over to UTV or whatever still use it.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Those of us who live miles away in north Dublin cannot get broadband or telephone reception in our houses but that is another day's work. Many of those who have moved from Eircom still use the Eircom copper wires and they do not have any conscience about it until they break down and then Eircom must fix them. That is something we should go into another day, and I accept there are two sides...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 12: In page 19, subsection (3), line 4, to delete "may" and substitute "will".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 13: In page 19, subsection (3), to delete lines 5 to 10 and substitute the following: "from the expiry of that period designate a Universal Postal Service Provider.".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: No.