Results 841-860 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Let us make it easy, how will it work in a two-teacher school?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, the Minister is giving incorrect information. The SPEARS will come into effect. We still cannot draw the pension until the age of 65. SPEARS was an add-on.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: While I know the Minister is not doing so deliberately, what he said is misleading.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: What does it mean for someone wanting to retire at 60?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: While I know it is not done deliberately, it is misleading.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The issue is clearly beginning to gather moss among the general population. People are very upset and concerned about what is going on. From the outset I was actively in favour of electronic voting for two reasons; one reason was speed and the other was accuracy. It was suggested that, for the first time, we would have true proportional representation. It now appears that we cannot have true...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (25 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome this legislation. During the negotiations on Sustaining Progress, the issues contained in the Bill were central to a resolution. In welcoming it, I also have some regrets. I regret that the Irish employers and business people do not have the confidence and courage to recognise fully the right of employees to be represented by trade unions. While there is a constitutional right for...

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to declare an interest. As vice chairman of the PIAB, I have taken a deep and abiding interest in this area. There are a number of issues regarding the whole area of brokerage and insurance on which we need further information. One of the recommendations of the report is that the client should be aware of the fees and commissions being paid. This should be made clear from the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It would be remiss of us not to note with congratulations the——

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I have not said anything yet.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I will not mention that Fianna Fáil, the republican party, is in the news headlines. I extend congratulations to the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I will be guided by the Cathaoirleach and ignore my notes. I recently raised the question of housing statistics with the Leader. It has been brought to my attention that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is too busy with other matters to count or keep track of the number of housing starts or completions, and that we largely rely on organisations such as...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: As I am deeply suspicious about everything, although not about the Minister of State himself, I do not understand why the term has to be changed. Is this amendment simply for consistency? Does it impact on any group or section in the public service?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The term "general age" is confusing. I have never come across the term before in previous legislation. Senator McDowell raised a very valid point. Through the legislation there is mention of raising the general age to 65. Is that not correct?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Why does the interpretations section not contain a definition of the term "general age"? Is this not needed?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The point I am making is that is not in the section. By way of interpretation we have excluded certain people by name. We have special measures attaching to people from other groups in other parts of the legislation. There might be a reason for that lack of consistency in approach. The Minister has explained that the President, members of the Judiciary etc. are included as they were dealt...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Senator McDowell has opened up a very tricky area, which is crucial. I did not understand that those working in our offices as support staff were all civil servants of the State. This has many implications, including possible gains for members of staff. The question, as Senator McDowell says, deserves a fuller answer. This would give clear rights to people in terms of their entitlement to...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I will try to be helpful. I can give examples of two groups about which there is doubt. One, as Senator McDowell mentioned, consists of people covered by the legislation we passed last year, the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act, which ensures that employees become entitled to permanency after a number of years of continued contracts. People covered by this Act may be temporary...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is the point.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is clear.