Results 1,201-1,220 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Many of the issues we have discussed over the past two years about the House can be brought together in the debate on Seanad reform and it is crucially important that people express their views at this time. There is another issue I would like the Leader to consider. We have talked before about consultation and last night when we discussed services for people with disabilities I raised the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Joe O'Toole: We could have a debate on it.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (30 Sep 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Fahey, and congratulate him on surviving yesterday, which was an important stage for everyone. I also thank him for his work on the labour portfolio. I am not sure if the Minister of State still has it, but his accessibility and flexibility in dealing with labour issues over the past two years have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I hope Fianna Fáil members around the country breathed a sigh of relief last night to find their leadership has found another way of staying in power after the next election, although I do not think they were that worried about it. I recently raised an issue with the Leader to which she did not reply. I interpreted this to mean she wished to get some information on it. My question referred...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I accept your ruling, a Chathaoirligh. I am not discussing the issue but the establishment of a committee, the technical issues which arise from that and the relationship of this House with the committee. I asked the Leader a question and would be happy with her response. While I will not embarrass the House, I am not prepared to forget about this for two years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I look forward to the Leader's response. I am totally opposed to the points made by the new Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, though I wish her well in her difficult portfolio. I remind the House that parents have won all the cases bar one taken to establish rights to special needs assistance for their children. The one case lost led the Minister to go on air to state,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The Government is challenging all the cases. It has lost every case except one. What was said this morning gives a completely misleading impression.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I have 15 minutes and, with the permission of the House, I would like to share the last five with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister and the legislation to the House. I have no difficulty in supporting the Bill and I look forward to doing so. I cannot resist the temptation of having a little swipe at those who drafted it in the first place. They got part of it wrong and this is about the fifth occasion in the course of this year that we have had to deal with emergency legislation. I find draftspeople...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Indeed. However, it is right for the reasons outlined. It was a sensible interpretation from the Minister and a pragmatic one from the Attorney General. I can also understand the position of the Director of Public Prosecutions and how his office viewed the matter. I support the Bill. I would like to cover some broader issues. The Minister will be aware that recently there was a report from...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Much of that is to do with the weather, which we blame for everything. However, I notice when I am abroad over the summer that people, including young people, meet outside where there are always things to do. We will never match that but there are things we could do. I wish to put one proposal before the House in the next fortnight. Let us consider what we can do at night. We are always told...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I make that point because pubs should be required to have such alternatives available. The profit on them is high and many smart publicans can see that. It should be as easy to get a cappuccino in a public house as a pint of stout. Those other options should be available and we must move onto them to get things going. I agree with the point that the Minister has made many times that the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I support Senator Finucane on this matter and the fundamental problems behind it need to be examined. There is a shortage of intensive care nurses and the Government claims we cannot produce enough of them. However, the reason for the shortage of nurses is because they go abroad where they are paid twice the salary they would receive in Ireland. The number of training places for intensive...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Senator White has misled the House because she told me she consistently voted for me.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator's constituency has done well.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The first item on the Order of Business, the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2004, is to be taken without debate. There was a significant debate on a similar motion in the Lower House yesterday. While the regulations were discussed at committee and I do not object to the motion, an opportunity should be afforded to Members who wish to speak on this and similar motions. If a motion...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: ——and we are absolutely opposed to the involvement of the US and the UK. While we hold no brief for the former President of Iraq and welcome his removal, the current situation is unacceptable, as was the manner in which he was taken out. We have great sympathy for the people of Iraq at this time. While we could never support, justify or vindicate in any way the ultra-judiciary actions...

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements. (20 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The debate should not conclude at 1.30 p.m. Many Senators wish to speak and we have been asking to debate the issue for a long time. I ask if the Leader might come to the House and extend the time.

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements. (20 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister to the House and wish him well in a difficult and challenging portfolio. I am sure he will give it his best effort as he did in his previous responsibilities. It is important to note that the issues we are debating today touch on everyone, including city and country, town and community. It is a bit like neutrality in the Minister's last portfolio. No one has ever given...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Joe O'Toole: As well as the anniversary of the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman, it is worth noting a very important anniversary in Irish literature. Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Patrick Kavanagh, a man who was never really appreciated in his own lifetime. He was treated very badly when he arrived in this town. People witnessed the pathetic sight of him being dragged through...