Results 761-780 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Crisis Pregnancy Strategy: Statements. (29 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: The most important aspect of the debate is to recognise the times in which it is rooted. The most significant change is attitudinal. As a society, we no longer rush to pass judgment on those who are pregnant outside marriage, but are prepared to support them. As public representatives and legislators the main message to get across is that although State support is crucial, it cannot compare...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (29 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: May we use the time to hear how the Leader got on with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform this morning?
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (29 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: We could deal with the Bill on Tuesday and at least have the weekend to cogitate on it, with no loss of time whatever to the Government. I do not believe that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is being pushed around by a couple of officials. If that were the case we would need to have a root and branch examination of how that Department works - not that it would surprise me...
- Seanad: European Presidency: Statements. (29 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I agree with the viewpoint that Ryanair should be forced to operate under the same conditions as every other airline in Europe.
- Seanad: European Presidency: Statements. (29 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I rely on the Taoiseach to ensure this is the case. It is a long road that has no turning. It is amazing how people come crawling to Government after abusing politicians and Governments for the past number of years. However, there is an issue to be dealt with and I look forward to its being dealt with properly. There is a difference between subsidies and doing deals. I congratulate the...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: With regret, there is no way I can accept that this is an appropriate way to do business. We have a good record of being able to do business across the House, recognising when difficulties arise and we have to be supportive in getting legalisation through. Many colleagues on the other side of the House share my views. I understand the difficult position they are in and I do not seek to...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: The general perception is that this is a simple legislative measure to allow customs officers or immigration officials to demand papers from immigrants, asylum seekers and so on. If this were the case, it would be acceptable, but a great deal more than that is involved. The legislation will give power of medical examination and diagnosis and will provide for the holding of people in custody....
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I must state some things for the record. Nobody on this side of the House has objected to dealing with this legislation in an urgent manner. Nobody is saying there is no need for immigration legislation. We need a properly organised immigration policy. It drives me to distraction when people argue with us on the basis that we are trying to create some sort of open door policy. That is not...
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That is not true. On a point of order, I ask the Minister of State to correct that point. That is misleading the House.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Let us hear it.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, the legislation includes the words â we will not be misled on this â "the immigration officer may, if the officer is satisfied that the non-national suffers from a prescribed disease" or whatever the new word is. The definitions to which Senator Henry referred show that in one case, it goes on to state that. It does not cover the area of significant intellectual...
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: We are agreed on that point.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That is not the issue.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That is a valid point.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: It covers everybody with epilepsy, autism and other illnesses.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Does the Minister of State know that it was 40 or 50 years before other legislation was brought in on human rights?
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That would not be acceptable nowadays.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Section 3(1)(a) of the Mental Health Act 2001 applies to almost every illness I mentioned.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Does that not apply to every single autistic person? The Minister of State should have the honesty to answer.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I am not arguing about that. Section 3(1)(a) applies to a whole series of illnesses, a list of which I can give the Minister of State.