Results 1,761-1,780 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: As this might be the last opportunity to address the Minister before the budget, I wish to mention a related matter, pensions.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

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

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I have said on many previous occasions that I will support the Minister's suggestion in that regard, although I suspect he is not getting enough support for it. I believe in the concept that a year's work should have a year's pension contribution or entitlement attached to it. Even if that requires legislation which people from my side of the labour spectrum or people on the other side do not...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Like the famous line in "Yes Minister".

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Sir Reg Empey made clear yesterday the views of the loyalist and Unionist community in the North on politicians elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly or to Westminster from Northern Ireland having speaking rights in this Parliament. We should discuss this idea in the cold light of day. I am completely opposed to it. However, I wish to distinguish between my views on this issue and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We have seen it before in——

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It persists in all areas.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: This House has noted on a number of occasions that by dint of co-operation between unions, management, business, Government and all interested parties we have the best strike record in Europe. That has been hard won. It has been achieved through a long, hard-sweated process of negotiations, engagement and the building up of trust and confidence. This has ensured that people have sought to...

Seanad: Ferns Report: Statements (Resumed). (15 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House and I join Senator Lydon in congratulating him on his contribution to the debate last week. It was important, timely and very measured. The Ferns Report is something on which we can build. I have rarely found myself in agreement with Senator Lydon on issues relating to the church and...

Seanad: Ferns Report: Statements (Resumed). (15 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I know. I wish to give the then Minister for Education some credit for her actions at that time. If she had not supported the women in question, the introduction of the Stay Safe programme would have been delayed for many years. It is worth recalling that she stood with me, against some of her senior officials, by saying she wanted the programme to be implemented. Not too many people took an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for a debate on crime. It is important to put certain matters on the record. You will recall, a Chathaoirligh, that some years ago I spoke at length about the murder of Mr. Brian Fitzgerald in Limerick. I said then that it was a turning point, so it is important to put on the record the extraordinarily good work the Garda Síochána is doing there....

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is appalling and we need to express our displeasure about it at this stage. I support the point raised by Senator Norris on that issue.

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I agree with the point made by the Minister of State, Senator Glynn and others that the Children Act is a good piece of legislation. I recall when that legislation was going through the House, both Senator Ryan and I tabled amendments to provide for a commencement date on the total Act. It was not brought forward, however. The former Minister of State, who is now the Minister for Education...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We all know that 90% of the prison population comes from clearly defined urban areas, so why do we not do something about it at an early stage?

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I would like to speak more about child care, education and life skills, but my time is limited. I would like every child to be able to cook and learn interpersonal skills, but that cannot be done solely in school, which accounts for only six or seven hours per day. The remainder of the time will shape their life experiences. I would stake my reputation on guaranteeing that if every child in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Brian Hayes made a valid point about how people can be locked in their own communities in cities and the country. People in Dublin's inner city districts lock and bar their doors at 7 p.m. and are afraid to venture out after this hour. This issue faces quiet people and elderly people around the country and should be debated. I ask the Acting Leader to respond to me on the question of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: You may have noticed, a Chathaoirligh, an article in today's Irish Independent on school league tables which, more than anything else, shows how unreliable they are but that is not the point I wish to have discussed. I ask the Leader to provide an opportunity to discuss the fact that this country is developing into one where not just the quality of a school but the quality of education is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On a number of occasions recently we raised the question of crime and the involvement of the gardaí. The House should note the fact that over the past week the gardaí in Limerick, in particular, have been extraordinarily successful in making at least two, and possibly three, giant steps towards solving some of the difficulties there. It has been done by good policing and hard work. It...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I, too, welcome the Minister to the House and wish him well with his very difficult portfolio. Much has been said in the debate on affordable and social housing. I am disappointed over the slow progress regarding affordable housing. I noticed this week that the State has found an extra 235 acres to be made available for affordable housing. I fully support the initiative, established at the...