Results 1,301-1,320 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Last Wednesday, the House had a long debate on Private Members' time on the proposals and thoughts of the National Roads Authority. The issue of the proposed M3 motorway going through Tara was discussed at length. I congratulate the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Haughey, for emerging as the soul of Fianna Fáil on this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: He has shown himself to be courageous and independently minded. Whatever way it works out, he has given a clear indication of his understanding of a complex issue. He reflects the views of many people who are very concerned. I have spoken to many such people in recent weeks. We should come back to the issues that were raised here last week. An article in The Irish Times last Saturday...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It seems a Haughey is needed out there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That would not be fair.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It would be unfair to ask the members of the committee.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It was confirmed in a court case this week.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: This is my fourth time to participate in a debate on this issue. These debates included one in this House and three at committee level. Senator Mansergh has no right to criticise Senator John Paul Phelan and others for the low level of debate. I sat through the previous debate in this House and appealed to Members on both sides to take a rational, constructive and philosophical view on our...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: This is what brought the issue to a new low. If we are lucky enough to get something for our constituencies, it occasions a speech at constituency level. When the issue is discussed in this House, we should at least make an attempt to address it from a national perspective.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is true. I have no criticism of the broad view Senator Mansergh took on the issue. That is the way to proceed, by looking at both the local and national aspects.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: However, the public is entirely confused about the matter. On the other hand, I am somewhat in agreement with the Government's position. I do not understand Fine Gael's position on this issue. There is only one position on decentralisation and that is to be completely supportive.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The approach I would take if I were an Opposition Member, and which I am tempted to take as an Independent, is to put the Government to the board each month to tell us how many new jobs have been brought forward. The Minister of State knows I raised such a proposal in the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I will be seeking this information on a monthly basis in an attempt to...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I pleaded with the Minister of State during the previous debate in this House to admit that the decentralisation programme could not be done in three years. I contended that the timescale, which was unattainable, represented the worst aspect of the scheme and would bring the project into disrepute. This afforded an opportunity for the Government to admit the programme could not be implemented...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Such an eventuality was entirely predictable and people have been left disappointed. I am not speaking of Deputies and Senators but of local community activists, local urban councils, tidy towns committees, tourism committees and development groups. They have been assessing sites and considering whether sufficient accommodation is available for the decentralised facilities. I have visited...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: He is the artful dodger. He has played a blinder, however he did it. I accept that he did not know about decentralisation before last year's Budget Statement. I believe Senator Phelan was mistaken in what he said. However, the Senator was right to underline what had previously been said in the House. It had to be analysed and proven. We must look at the importance of urban-rural balance and...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: If we are to be governed by elections the project will fall apart.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It is bigger than that. I wish decentralisation well. I hope the Government's mishandling of it has come to an end and that the Minister of State will listen this time to some of what Opposition Members have to say. If he does not, Mr. Phil Flynn will tell him the same thing in six months time. Meanwhile, I wish the Minister of State good luck with the media. They cannot lay a hand on him.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It would have been established earlier except that the Senator's party delayed it in the House.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It was established before this.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I agree with the points raised by Senator Brian Hayes. The issue of interference with Members of the Oireachtas when going about their business is covered clearly in the Constitution. I welcome yesterday's clear and unambiguous statement by the Taoiseach that the convictions of yesterday could not be covered by the Good Friday Agreement and that these people will serve their full sentences....

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Absolutely. I am not in any sense departing from that. You will be aware, a Chathaoirligh, that I am referring to something that is an item on the Order of Business.