Results 821-840 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Revenue Commissioners: Motion. (18 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: The motion has prompted many levels of agreement on all sides of the House, but we should cast our minds back. It is not that long since a Taoiseach addressed a St. Patrick's day group in Washington with the infamous words that income taxation was still something of a novelty in Ireland. As we have been finding out ever since, that is part of the problem. There was a macho view until very...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: It is remarkable that yesterday when we were honouring Senator Maurice Hayes on his accolade of European of the Year, the big boys club of Europe was meeting the big boys from the UK, France and Germany. Most of Europe cheered when the Taoiseach at the beginning of our Presidency made it clear that Europe did not see itself working in a two-tier direction. I do not know what these chaps...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: To concludeââ
- Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I had not concluded.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I am sorry I upset the sensitivities of the post-empire view of my colleague on the Labour benches on this matter.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: On that basis, it would be useful if we had a further debate, although not immediately, with the Taoiseach on this issue. He was good enough to come in some weeks ago and halfway through the Presidency it would be worthwhile to debate the matter again. Such a debate would give the Taoiseach the opportunity to raise this issue. In that sense, I point out to my Labour colleague that this issue...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: It is a Bill I hope every politician will reject.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I could find some outrage as well to respond to the Government's decision onNo. 2.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: It is on the Order of Business.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: This is what Governments do in this situation, although it is appalling. Could the Leader please extend the speaking time on No. 4 from 12 to 15 minutes? I would like to hear people from all sides of the House participate in that debate on a non-party basis. It is an issue we need to consider. We have had several discussions recently about the need for a proper, structured approach to...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: ââand the right to seek employment in this country. This is not an anti-immigrant policy. These matters must be properly structured. I have frequently criticised the Government's immigration policy but this would not be a basis for further criticism. With respect to our colleague from France in the Visitors Gallery, every time I go to France I find Irish meat cheaper there than in...
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: A pension is a better idea.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. I am sorry he was given the job of bringing in this destructive legislation. I urge that some of the issues raised here are responded to in some detail by the Department of Finance. It is important that this is done. I begin by declaring both an interest and a disinterest. The disinterest arises from the fact that although I...
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I pleaded with her not to take the word of her demographers who told her what would happen in education in the following ten years. Everything I said on that is on the record and has proven to be correct. Senator Mansergh is absolutely right. The idea that in 2056 the dependency ratio will be 2:1 is absolutely inconceivable. Are we to run the country by computer? It is impossible to consider...
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That is too complex for Senators on this side of the House to comprehend.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: The Senator has struck a chord with the Minister. We are making progress.
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Is it finishing?
- Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Can the Minister of State explain what moving to less demanding work means?