Results 1,061-1,080 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Regarding the Cathaoirleach's earlier ruling on the matter which we should not discuss, it was a very bad motion and an equally bad amendment. We should call it a draw. The record of the House will show that it was won twice; both sides won and they were as bad as each other. Perhaps we should leave it at that. I ask the Cathaoirleach to reconsider the issue just raised. It is absolutely...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: There is no party issue involved here. No one on this side is more concerned about this question than anybody on the Government side. I concede that point, since everyone has the same view on the matter. Whereas the Cathaoirleach is absolutely right that it would be inappropriate to discuss the issue and the person, it is crucial that we discuss the procedure. I want to know what is a fair...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: In deference to the Cathaoirleach, I feel that it is the only way in which I can do it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: How would that happen?

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I absolutely agree with that, but the point is that the procedure must be drawn up, I presume by the CPP, which is the group that always does it. As the longest serving member of CPP, I do not want to participate in designing a procedure for impeachment without having the views of all colleagues on all sides. It would be wrong to do so. We are making a mistake here. Let us not make a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: We did own it and we sold it off so that these companies could make huge profits. We should have had this debate four years ago.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It commenced last week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I will defer moving the amendment until tomorrow to see how matters develop. However, it is not enough for one person from each group to deal with this information.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Everybody should have the opportunity to contribute to the debate.

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Staff needs should be assessed at both primary and post-primary levels.

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Where did we hear that before, "a lot done, more to do"? Senator Ormonde seems to be describing a different country from the one we are dealing with on the ground. The reality is that autism is not being dealt with in any real way. There is an extraordinary shortage of people at all levels. I agree with Senator Ormonde as regards the shortage of professionals. It is not just at the therapy...

Seanad: Financial Services Industry: Statements. (19 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State. Listening to these debates, I sometimes wonder if I am living in the same world all the time, or if people change so much. What brings politics most into disrepute is when people shoot from the hip with knee-jerk responses to the issue of the day in a manner completely at odds with all they have been saying on the issue for the previous six years. There was a...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: On the Order of Business yesterday I noted how important it is for Senators to deal with the process of impeachment and for us to have clarification on the Government's thinking on the issue. I noted that the Government must also recognise that Members of this House must have an input. I express my appreciation to the Leader for setting up a meeting with the Attorney General to clarify some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It is important to note that the courts cleared the publication of extracts from school reports. This does not do justice to school authorities. I hope the Minister will urge the publication of complete reports, which deal with school management, school resources, geographical problems, special needs, disadvantage and other issues. The complete report gives a clear view of what staff,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Is there a Government decision on it?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Just as the teachers had forgotten that Fine Gael did not want to pay them their benchmarking, the party seems to be again determined to stop members of the profession from voting for them. I look forward to a debate on the issue from a different point of view. The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service was prevented yesterday from having a discussion on decentralisation. I do not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Apparently, the Government parties do not want to discuss how decentralisation will happen, which is wrong. People know my views on the matter. I have supported the Government's position. While I have spoken in favour of decentralisation, I certainly want it discussed to a greater extent. I want to hear different views, deal with the issues, address problems and establish a timescale.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I ask that this debate take place. I do not know what people fear. No one can legitimately object to the Order of Business today in the sense that the Leader has had to make changes to it for wholly acceptable reasons. However, I must remind the House that there are two urgent Bills before us today which we did not know about last week. They have been brought to our attention in the last 48...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I want to know what is happening. Is there a Cabinet position on the break up of the airports?