Results 1,521-1,540 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Expressions of Sympathy on the Death of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I would like to be associated with the sentiments expressed about the Pope. In Ireland, we have a long tradition of not speaking ill of the dead and of celebrating their lives. In my personal response to the Pope's death, I thought of the things that inspired me, annoyed me and entertained me. An occasion like this is like an Irish funeral, which we do very well. We think back on someone's...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The first report of the Morris tribunal has not yet been debated in either House of the Oireachtas. It is an issue of great concern to many people and is being widely discussed in the media and other places. As far as I recall, it was published in early July last year. I do not believe we have had the opportunity to debate it, but I am open to correction on that. I have not contributed to any...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Súilim go n-éireoidh go maith léi sa phost nua atá aici. Tá sí sé mhí sa phost anois and we expect results. Despite all of the discussions, the 20:1 pupil-teacher ratio commitment set out in the programme for Government will not go away. It will have to be delivered. While I accept the Minister requires time to achieve the target and do...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The best I can say about the motion is that in using the phrase "committed to reducing further" in the last paragraph somebody avoided the possibility of splitting an infinitive. How will the 300 additional posts across the education system be provided? I dare not ask, but I presume the provision of perhaps 150 posts at primary level will be to address educational disadvantage only. As it is...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister inherited this legacy. She cannot be blamed for asking how a class size of 20:1 can be delivered. It is not her demand; it is a commitment which the Government made to the people. The Minister is entitled to get the resources to implement it. I do not see how the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, can do other than support her. They might say they do not have...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is not that there is no need. They should not be paid.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Is the 20:1 pupil-teacher ratio commitment still there?

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I agree that it is time for another debate on the health service, which has featured heavily in the newspapers over the past two weeks for one reason or another. I would welcome the attendance of the Tánaiste to speak to the issue. We should all recognise that, as many of us have said for years, one cannot have low taxes and state-of-the-art public services. I make the point to Government...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The matter relates to the suggestion that the Great Southern Hotels will be sold. They are pivotal to the tourism industry in the south west, in particular, but also nationally. Once again the question arises of how we will reach certainty on the future of the hotels and what decisions will be made in regard to them. The staff, the industry and the people who depend on these hotels need to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: ——accumulating on the south side of the city is far more than was ever expected. It does not surprise me.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It would appear that the methane rising from the south side sewerage system is wafting across to decent northsiders. I would like to know what effect that has on the north side of the city——

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: —— and more importantly and seriously, what does the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have to say about it. When the tertiary sewage treatment system was put in place at Ringsend it was promised that there would be no olfactory fall-out or difficulties arising from it, but that has proven not to be the case. I would like a response on this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Despite the convention, it would be churlish of us on this side of the House not to recognise the decision of the Leader of the House to set about regaining her Dáil seat and we wish her well.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Cathaoirleach will be aware that today we are in the presence of greatness on these benches.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We have had this greatness thrust on us, but we have always been aware of it. We wish to put on the record of the House our congratulations to Senator Ross on achieving the distinct and signal honour of being chosen as Senator of the year. We are not surprised, although of course we are all disappointed ourselves.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We wish him well as someone who has declared war on many establishment groups including——

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Including ICTU, IBEC, the banks and, in recent times, National Toll Roads. On that point, we have noted his move to the left in seeking to have the last remaining private road in the country nationalised ——

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We see that he is inclusive of all different groups. We congratulate him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We know that he will serve with dignity and distinction as both father of the House and as Senator of the year. The man is running out of titles.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Approximately two months ago, I raised the report on the western rail corridor with the Leader and she gave an undertaking that we would have a debate in the House on it. Despite the urgings of Senator Ross and others for the State to spend €400 million on buying out a few hundred metres of roadway on the M50, we should look at investing properly in the western rail corridor. I ask that the...