Results 1,461-1,480 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I used that example not to make a party political point but to make a different point. Every time I discuss infrastructure in the west with the experts, they tend to be based in Dublin and to come to a longitudinal conclusion on the matter. They point out the number of people who use the railways and say that if we were to invest many millions of euro in them and divide that amount by the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

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

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary work Senator Norris has put into preparing this critical Bill. While I recognise that we will hear different views on the Bill, which is also important, I hope the Minister will just take it and run so that he can develop it, change it or introduce an alternative in its place, which I believe has been the intention of Senator Norris from the beginning...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: This issue is currently occupying all our minds. This is another great opportunity to besmear and besmirch politics. This is not a political issue. Every party has been involved in this process during the past 17 years. If there is a row between the Opposition and the Government on the current issue, that will do us no credit. Mistakes were made and I would like to know where they were made....

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I also ask the Leader to extend the House's congratulations to Commissioner Noel Conroy for the extraordinary work he has done. I recall saying on the occasion of his appointment that he would do us proud. His record is substantial, both on the ground and in management, and he has proved himself over the past while. We had a debate on Northern Ireland a couple of weeks ago. One of the issues...

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, it was agreed on the Order of Business that spokespersons would have 15 minutes.

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We heard that last year.

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for participating in this debate. The report is staid, unimaginative and uninspiring and the Minister should ignore most of it. I will guide her in my contribution through those aspects of it about which she needs to think. I am sure she can produce something a great deal better on her own than the contents of the report. I was delighted that...

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I should look at my script. I have pointed out some of the issues which I thought the report dealt with well. I am sure the Leas-Chathaoirleach will agree with one of the issues, and spoke about it last year. The report states there should be no distinction in terms of fees between part-time evening students and full-time students. That is only right and proper. There is a sense of inequity...

Seanad: Higher Education Review: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It has been reduced in proportion to the money given to the institutes.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State has offered me one minute of his time.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: He has offered me time.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister of State. I will not go into great detail but there are two matters I wish to have examined. First, part of the cost of child care is due to the relevant regulations. They are top of the range but are more restrictive and demanding than in any other European country. This drives up the cost. Second, has the Minister of State considered the fact that we give tax breaks to...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, to the House. The issue I raise concerns two special schools in Ballina, County Mayo. This is an ongoing issue which I have been slow enough to raise, but there has been no progress on it over the past few years. There are two special schools involved, and because of time constraints I will outline some of the difficulties in just one of...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (22 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I feel worse now than I did at the outset because it appears that it will be 18 months before the project will even obtain approval to proceed to construction. That is an impossible situation. As the Minister of State indicated, comments on the project are being awaited from the technical team. However, it has been with the team for a long period...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: As regards how matters are progressing in Northern Ireland, I have raised twice on recent occasions the importance of deepening cross-community involvement below political level. It is worth noting that last night the friendly football match between Linfield and Derry City passed off without any problems on the pitch. The only problems were outside. The officials of both clubs were delighted...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: No republican could ever go out and shoot someone on the basis of belief. The term grew from a consideration, an agreement and a policy that Catholic, Protestant and dissenter would live together. Nowadays, that can be extended into a wider community. We should base republicanism on that view. We need to recognise that republicanism was not on one religious side or the other but it crossed...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: That is the Labour Party finished.

Seanad: Nursing Home Charges: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Absolutely.

Seanad: Nursing Home Charges: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

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