Results 1,381-1,400 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (27 Jan 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We on the Independent benches would like to be associated with the words of condolence to the family of the late Eileen Desmond. I did not know her in political life as she was gone when I came in here but I met her two or three times. She was one of those iconic figures I associated with political life before I was elected to national politics. She had a great presence which came across in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Too many Departments have not made the distinction between media and public relations officers. Their biggest problem is a lack of understanding of the media. I would welcome an informed debate on this issue. On the issue of Northern Ireland, it must be recognised that little will happen this side of the Westminster election. Little else will happen between that election and the next Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I could not agree more with what Senator Brian Hayes has said regarding the media. As Members will be aware, last Wednesday in the House I raised the issue of newspaper intrusion into private lives. The problem has got substantially worse in the meantime. I am conscious that in dealing with this matter we must be very careful. Senator Norris made an impassioned input to the recent debate on...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I appreciate that he, in his role prior to the Cabinet reshuffle, was very open to recommendations and proposals from the trade union side. I welcomed that openness. This must be borne in mind because it is with a sense of déjÀ vu that I will make the rest of my remarks. I would welcome a sense of openness to change on the part of the Minister...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Dardis for proposing this challenging motion. I do not like what is in it, but I have to say I agree with all of it. I do not oppose it in any sense. I am uneasy about it and uncomfortable with it because it marks a point in time that we have been through before. Over the past 30 years, I have often found myself in an unusual position. I was the only one of my circle of...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I had never seen that in all my time in politics.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I had never seen it happen before. It reflects a maturity that is important. In terms of what Senator Maurice Hayes has said, perhaps it will show us the way forward. I would like to consider where we are going for the next couple of years. Most analysts believe that not much will happen politically in that time. We need to examine the vacuum that has developed and determine where points of...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Yes. The economic corridor between both islands also comes to mind. Where should it be? We are saying it should be at Belfast, Dublin and the south-east of the island. There should be full and free access on both sides. How do we do that? If we put together a body like the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body or Anglo-Irish Encounter, we should ensure that there is a regulated and processed...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: During the debate last night I stated I felt grossly uncomfortable with the motion, even though I agreed with everything in it, and argued that we should look forward. We should not over-react to yesterday's statement. Sinn Féin has found itself in a cul-de-sac and like any cornered animal it is looking for a way out and trying to win back ground lost since the previous juncture. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I do not take the views of Kevin Myers in The Irish Times to be important. However, many others do. His judgment has been flawed so many times that thinking people cannot take him seriously. Unfortunately, his views are communicated to a much wider group than those who would analyse them. His fascistic rantings in today's column crossed over the line of incitement to hatred. He chose to have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: This sounds like a Fine Gael selection committee.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On the Northern issue, in recent times I raised the importance of developing the east-west aspect of the Good Friday Agreement. I have said in a number of places on numerous occasions that I feel we can create progress and a new political impetus from community, professional and economic involvement across the two islands. I felt there was nothing happening in this regard. However, I stand...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: He was listening to the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I am protecting the Senator from the worst excesses.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We could have people queueing up in large numbers.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I understand amendments can be ruled out of order if they involve a charge on the State.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: My proposal does not necessarily incur a cost to the State. It could be a cost to the private sector. I do not want to challenge the Chair but I would like an explanation.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I have not questioned the Chair's ruling yet. I asked for an explanation. The amendment would be out of order if it involved a cost to the Exchequer but not all of these amendments do so.