Results 4,561-4,580 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I second the recommendation. We have had a long debate on the civil partnership issue over several years. Finally, we took the step which we all welcomed and provided for it legislatively. I do not propose to rehearse all the arguments from that stage. The implementation of that legislation became important and it was believed any issues arising would be dealt with in the course of this...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages (29 Jan 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I support the recommendation. As we discussed it at length this morning, I will not rehearse the arguments. The Minister will recall that I said I had a difficulty with the workability, not the objective, of the original recommendation. Senator Alex White pointed this out too. I am particularly pleased that this recommendation refers to the details of the bonuses paid, which I consider...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I support the points offered in congratulating our colleagues elected to the other House. People often speak about Senators being elected to the Dáil. The vast majority of the people elected to the Dáil from this House are people who would have worked diligently as Senators in here and in their constituency. I do not have a problem with Senators being elected to the Dáil but when in the...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I am privileged to add to what has been said and offer from the Independent benches our condolences and sympathy to the family of the late Willie Farrell and Fianna Fáil. I remember Willie for his argumentative nature and because he was always willing to take up a challenge. He never let his party down and Fianna Fáil could do no wrong, although in private he might say if it had acted in...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I have no doubt the Minister of State is correct. It is very difficult to go to an adjudicator and expect his or her decision to be completely binding at all times. The adjudicator could make a mistake in some cases and this must be allowed for. I agree with the point that the process should be quick and this would be the most attractive option but I do not think it can be done as simply...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: In support of the points made by Senator Quinn, I take on board what people said earlier. The Irish are very litigious by nature and we tend to go right up the line if there is another option. If arbitration or court proceedings are options, we will go to the limit, but that is an option that runs out. I am well aware of the figures Senator Quinn just mentioned. Britain could teach us a...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: It is a rare occasion on which I agree with Senator Walsh but we agree this time. I see the Minister of State's advisers smiling but I hate the phrase "on such a day as the Minister may so appoint." I am of the old school and believe an Act should come into operation when it is passed by the Oireachtas and signed by the President. A Minister should not have any further function in signing...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I wish the Government had been so amenable over the past five years.

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I pay tribute to Senator Quinn and the work he has done on the Bill. I am pleased to have played a small part along the way. It is crucial to view the passage of the Bill in this House as a recognition of how good work can be done. I also pay tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, and appreciate the commitment he has shown in coming to the House. He could have been doing...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I move: That Seanad Éireann notes the programme for Government recently agreed by the Government parties. I welcome the Minister and appreciate that he has made himself available to participate in this important debate. I would like to share my time with Senator Harris.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: It is easy to take a cynical view of programmes for Government. This is a very positive programme for Government and the real issue is whether it will be delivered upon. As it contains too much to address in a five-minute slot, I wish to deal with a number of issues which I ask the Minister to take back and consider closely. Shared decision making, dealing with quangos and cloud computing...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I am also attracted to the NewERA document. The Minister will be met with cynicism on this issue, which he will have to ride out. The document refers to important issues, some of which the previous Government was also considering, including a smart grid combining EirGrid and the gas network, which could be extraordinarily powerful. EirGrid is the single most important and crucial link in...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: We do not apply the restrictions applied in the Dáil.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister for staying in the House for the entire debate. I ask him to take three points away with him for discussion in higher places. First, it would be worthwhile if every three months the Seanad carried out a similar assessment to that requested from other public bodies in regard to the progress made on the programme for Government. On the basis of what the Minister has...

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. I am delighted for her and wish her well in her new position. I know she will work to the best of her ability. I have full confidence that she will give her best judgment as she goes along. I am pleased to be discussing this Bill. It is important that state exactly what we are talking about. Senator Boyle's proposal, with which I...

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: Sorry——

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: Section 1 proposes to delete section 58 of the Act. That is what is being proposed. As there are some conflicting amendments, I want to be absolutely clear. We have moved well beyond psycho-surgery, lobotomy and so on. There are many who are concerned about such procedures and this has a negative impact on the perception of mental health issues. We, therefore, need to be seen to take a...

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: No.

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2011)

Joe O'Toole: I have read much of the literature on ECT and I have seen the arguments for and against it. I do not make a value judgment on ECT. I support this matter for another reason, which concerns rights and how we make decisions. The item of legislation we are proposing to remove protects doctors and ignores patients.