Results 601-620 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: What does the Senator mean by private residence?

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Perhaps I have a solution that would keep everybody happy. I will explain to Senator Leyden and the Minister how the system works in reality. I was on Bere Island at the weekend and went to a lovely place called Lawrence's Cove. The bar has just one space. It is the only bar in the area and food is served. Gardaí come out diligently once a year to remind people of the licensing laws which...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Consider that in the context of the lack of understanding in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform of rural Ireland. I am getting confused because Government Members are speaking against the amendment but will support the legislation. Are we trying to impose this on the rest of Ireland because of a problem within the Pale? As the Minister referred to the different times of...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator is still not happy, however. The Minister has done everything to meet his needs.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Let me speak on behalf of the Minister and remind the House that on at least four occasions since this debate started yesterday evening – I have not been present for the entire debate – the Minister has specifically indicated and explained that the section does not apply to function rooms and weddings and other such things. The definition of "bar" is very clear in the Bill and we...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I spoke at some length on this subject on Second Stage and I do not wish to hold up the business of the House. However, it is a step backwards and a decision against the little people. It means that those who are already vulnerable and feel exposed and discriminated against will have greater difficulty finding redress. The whole point and thrust of this Government has been to render...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: They are everywhere. They are ubiquitous and the Minister is opening new doors for them.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Unfortunately, the real world is the Law Library. In the same way that the Minister went to great pains to say this was no reflection on the Equality Authority, nothing I say is a reflection on the District Court, which I never mentioned. I always start to worry when people start to defend – an old Government trick. It implies something and forces me to defend something I have never said....

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I never thought I would see the day and please do not forget—

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: All I can think about is drink at the Bertie Bowl. This is a sensible amendment. In terms of a practical approach, it is unique in that it is the only part of the Bill which opens up access to alcohol. To that extent, I thoroughly support it. I also believe that national stadia need to be able to provide this type of facility. We are talking about arenas, for example, Croke Park, which are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The House should note the fact that benchmarking awards will be paid to politicians during the course of this month and next month. We will not receive the payments before anyone else but at the same time as most of the rest of the public service. I would like to make two points about this development, which is crucially important. Any moneys to be allocated have been hard won and hard fought...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Some may be better able than others to afford to send back money. It is an easy way to receive positive and warm acknowledgement and affirmation from the public. Any increases received by any group such as politicians, teachers or anyone else as a result of benchmarking were hard earned and well deserved. This should be made clear. The benchmarking process also includes a real commitment to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I would support either of the two suggestions made by Senator Brian Hayes and be amenable to a proposal of a similar nature. It would not look good if the House did not sit for that time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: We should put our heads together to deal with this problem. I would like to mention some issues that have been raised. Senator MacSharry spoke yesterday about the various groups which have blocked positive development. There is a case for dealing with such issues. Senators on the Government side raised the possibility of a deeper debate on transport. We should look at the position in Irish...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister. Every time we have a debate on topics such as health or agriculture, it quickly deteriorates into a row between the various political parties on how they do their business, which does not help. Today's debate confirms my view that politicians and elected representatives have very little to offer the health service. That is not to say that they have nothing to offer,...

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: There is little difference between what Members on all sides of House are saying on this subject. There is a difference in the Fine Gael position on neutrality at the end. This country has never been neutral. It may have been politically neutral but it has never been neutral. We should look closely at where we stand on issues. We should recognise the fact that there is a moral, military and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It is appropriate that we should be aware of what is happening in Europe at the conclusion of the debate on the farm talks which will have a huge impact on this country. We should look for a full report on the issue in this House and try to make the debate a little better than the last one by considering the future for Irish farmers and farming. It appears they are being squeezed in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: In the same way Members on the Government side can congratulate the Minister without seeing the deal. We are starting all over again.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is right. I am sure the Minister of State knows my views on this legislation. It is a victory for the bureaucrats. Politicians have been stitched up. There is about as much wriggle space left in this legislation as one would find in a tin of sardines. Every possible angle is covered, every possible proposal is circumscribed and every possible attempt to do the things we wanted to do is...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is right – there is legal advice. When it comes to writing up the legislation and covering all the angles, though, it is much harder. Even among those of us who have been here a long time and understand the way things operate, I do not think anyone would feel competent to write a Bill from scratch – it would be impossible. The relationship between this commission and the Committee on...