Results 1,581-1,600 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Now we know how the Senator likes to spend his spare time.

Seanad: Maritime Safety Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (4 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister and his officials for doing fine work on this but there is one issue I wish the Minister of State to consider that may have been raised with him previously. Upon examining section 16 concerning authorised officers, it occurred to me that there is specific reference in all other legislation to the role of the harbour master. As both the Minister of State and I know, the...

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to share my time with Senators Brian Hayes and Norris. I thank the Minister for passing the information concerning Gama Construction to the authorities that can take action because that is crucial. The Minister was overly coy in his speech in saying legislation will address ownership of the permit. What will this legislation state? Who will hold the permit? The permit application...

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: This situation is not in our interest. IBEC should be asked to speak up on this issue. We need to increase the inspectorate size and we need to ensure the work permit becomes the property of the employee. Any outstanding EU procurement directives should be put in place. A culture of impunity appears to be developing among some employers. I am uncomfortable with all employers being tarred with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I raised the issue of the Marino Institute of Education on yesterday's Order of Business and was pleased it was taken up by many others over the course of the day. Senator Fitzgerald mentioned that the real issue is what will happen to students in the future. It has now come to light that the college cannot finalise its teacher education budget for next year because it does not yet know the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I had a serious argument with Senator Ross some years ago when we were discussing benchmarking. I made the point that public service pensions were taken into consideration and that the benchmarking award was duly reduced. I now find that I made a mistake and concede the point. This morning the ESRI stated that private sector pensions cost the State more than public sector pensions, which is a...

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 29. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: In the past 24 hours I have been provided with information that has led me to request a motion for the adjournment of the House on a specific and important matter, namely, the crisis in Marino Institute of Education. It appears that the operation of the board and the conduct of its members has resulted in a legal fiasco. I wish the House to examine to role of the Svengali-like figures on the...

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 29. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I want to make two points to help the Cathaoirleach make up his mind. I came across an e-mail to members of the board that included the words "slowly, slowly, catchy monkey". It was sent by this man, Dermod Dwyer——

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 29. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: ——which makes it clear that there was a planned campaign of harassment, bullying and intimidation to force the resignation of a fantastic educator and leader. This attitude of getting rid of people who are in the way is not acceptable.

Seanad: Request to Move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 29. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I am disappointed and I hope the Cathaoirleach will reconsider.

Seanad: Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister to the House and I also welcome this important Bill. I wish to raise the question of the level of involvement of lawyers in the process. I have examined the positions which have evolved in other European countries. Under the French system, the registration or transfer or conveyancing is performed by one particular solicitor. The notaire is usually appointed by the State...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second and Subsequent Stages. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Fáiltím roimh an Aire agus aontaím leis an méid a dúirt na Seanadóirí eile. Má tá an Bille seo de dhíth, caithfimid tacaíocht a thabhairt dó. Conas a d'éirigh an t-amhras faoi? Tá sé mínithe go soiléir ag an Aire ach tá an chontúirt ann nuair a théann duine siar go dtí an chéad Acht. Cén tionchar ansin atá ag alt 70 den chéad Acht? Bhí Acht ann agus leasaíodh é....

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second and Subsequent Stages. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Shíl mise go raibh muid ag dul don taobh eile den scéal agus ag féachaint ar an Acht leasaithe. An bhfuil muid ag féachaint ar an rud ar fad? Más sin an scéal, níl deacracht ag baint leis. Tá sé tábhachtach sin a chur ar fáil. Ba mhaith liom díospóireacht ar an tionchar atá ag an fhoras teanga ar chúrsaí an gné Thoir-Thiar den Chomhaontú— an gaol idir an Ghaeilge agus...

Seanad: British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second and Subsequent Stages. (5 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Over the weekend I started reading the book written by the woman who was a central character in that debate. It is absolutely incredible. I would welcome a debate on the matter. Last week I raised the Marino college case. I put on record my thanks to the Leader of the House for raising it with the Minister for Education and Science. I welcome the fact that the Minister has now put in train an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Recently, I made the House aware that I was the vice-chairman of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, which was referred to on yesterday's Order of Business and which has just issued its first report. I would welcome a debate on the report. When the legislation went through the House, Members raised serious considerations about the board. If I may gently correct the Leader in a comment she...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The overall costs are low because legal, administrative and all other costs are down. It is important to make clear that the amount of money which claimants receive is not reduced, as people with another agenda are implying that people should not go through the system because they will end up with less money. That is not the case. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the PIAB, not this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Instead of the incinerator.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Ross for sharing time with me. I wish to dissociate myself from the negativity he heaped on the Pensions Board, an easy target for the Senator.