Results 941-960 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is the second element which refers to trade unions of which gardaí cannot be members. The subsection above means the GRA itself must be independent of and cannot be associated with a body or persons outside the Garda Síochána. At the moment, the GRA has full membership of the ICPSA which is not amenable to the provisions of the Bill. I would be happy to hear the Minister tell me that...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is parochial.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: On the same issue, in a previous job I had a colleague who dealt with people who insisted on taking people through the courts. In her very first discussion with them she always told them that if they were looking for justice they should go to heaven but if they were looking for the law they should go to the courts. The courts are never the place for justice. They have never been intended to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: ——because it is a broader issue which arises every time there is a victim in a court case. I would like to add to that an issue which I have raised three or four times over the past few months, namely, the question of serving of sentences. When people are given concurrent sentences the method of calculating time off and parole should be completely different from that involving people who...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is why Justice wears a blindfold on the statue at the top of the Four Courts.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I do not have a problem with taking No. 1, the motion regarding the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, without debate. The House should note the extraordinarily diligent work that has been done by the joint committee in dealing with the Barron report. I am not a member of that committee but its request for an extension of time to enable it continue its...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: ——to ideas and to proposals to move things forward and takes a political view on how the semi-State company should be run. I am sure Senator Ross will have his opportunity tonight to talk about why——

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: ——his buddies should be running semi-State companies rather than decent people.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: On a different matter, legislation we passed many years ago was activated by the Minister for Transport some months ago, namely the requirement that drivers had to carry their driving licences with them. At that time it was raised by myself and many others that some thought should be given as to the size of the driving licence. The general consensus was that it should be the size of a credit...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: We take a broad view.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is a Dublin 4, anti-rural attitude, and we have to listen to it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator does not want trade unionists, so who runs those places?

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That shows how bright they are in Dingle. They know who to write to.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Do not embarrass them.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, one is not allowed to criticise a person in this House. I do not think there is any rule regarding mentioning a person's name.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I am delighted to contribute to the debate on the motion. I do not support the motion, but not because the system should not be reformed. It can and should be reformed, but it is too narrow and it is having a go at decent people who do an extraordinarily good job for little thanks.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I am not prepared to add to the abuse that is heaped on the directors of semi-State companies.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I am well aware that the proposer of the motion has an equal view of worker-directors on semi-State companies in that they have no business coping with the major decisions on the running of a company. At least Senator Ross is consistent in that view, although I do not support it. That is an important point to be made. I would like to see this area reformed along the lines outlined by Senator...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is healthy. It is an indication of grown-up politics, which is important and something we should applaud. When they discharge those responsibilities with distinction it reflects well on political life and public representation. Senator Hayes touched on a very valid point which has been abused by all parties, namely the interregnum appointments. No party is clean on that one. I remember...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I have learned so much in the meantime.