Results 1,821-1,840 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. Senator White keeps interrupting me. On a serious and related point, the Budget Statement on child care was important, but there are issues which are unclear. In fairness to all concerned, there has been a serious debate on child care in this House and we should continue that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It would be useful to have such a debate in peacetime, as it were.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We should examine how child care will be developed and what will happen next. Yesterday, the Minister commented on the importance of registration with local child care committees, in as much as they could be in a position to give grants, information and support. That is important for parents who want to know what quality of child care they can expect if they choose that option. They will also...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It would be helpful for everybody. Perhaps Senator White could give us the opportunity to support her Bill, although I suspect she will not.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I would also welcome a debate on the issue of a statement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and I would particularly like if that kind of a debate could take place in a non-party political ambience. There are some serious matters which we need to discuss and about which people need to put their views clearly on the record. I believe strongly in the idea of parliamentary...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Senator White is in Government with the Progressive Democrats and gets confused by them.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: A member of the PDs is standing against her.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: With the permission of the House, I would like to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It was decided on the Order of Business, as it is every day. In this case, it is 20 minutes for the first speaker from each group and ten minutes for each subsequent speaker.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Yes. The Senator has to sit and listen and she will learn something ——

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator can use what she learns on the doorsteps of Dublin South-East when she is arguing against the great Progressive Democrats Member, Deputy McDowell.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Exactly, Senator White, exactly. The removal of the groceries order is a bottle of smoke. I agree with Senator Dardis that the matter has been discussed ad nauseam but it will make no difference whatsoever down the line, none whatever. I was born and raised in my mother's grocery shop and remember when Mr. Lemass's Government introduced the dreaded turnover tax in the early 1960s. RGDATA...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: There is not the remotest chance of that happening. This is populist politics and will not make the slightest bit of difference. I tend to agree with the legislation because it might finish the argument forever. This is no more than groups within business arguing with each other. I have argued with the chair of the Competition Authority on this issue. I have seen her arguments in favour of...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I did understand him. I learned a lot from Dr. FitzGerald.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: In terms of groceries, there are contingent laws that accompany that basic one. For example, if a retailer puts up the price of cakes, he or she will increase the sales of bread because people buy cake with their marginal, left-over income. If they can no longer afford cake, they will buy more bread. I could add much more to a general discussion on the groceries business if so required....

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is wrong. I would like the legislation to contain a provision whereby they would have to produce separate accounts for their Irish operation so we could all see where Eddie Hobbs's €1,000 per year would go. It will go to the head office in London but not to our people.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On the impact on town centre development, I will give an example. Many people say Athlone has been ruined by the development of two huge shopping centres on both ends of the town, one in Connacht and one in Leinster, called Golden Island. The centre of town suddenly died because, as Senator Dardis said, it was too awkward to get into and there was no parking. Now, as in other parts of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I could not agree more with the final point made by Senator Brian Hayes which I have raised on a previous occasion. A penalty should be imposed on those who arrive in accident and emergency departments and who cause chaos. I agree they should be separated out into a wet room away from decent people who have to put up with the problems created by drunks coming in to accident and emergency...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Tabhair an rogha dó.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Tabhair an seans dó. Níl sétugtha dó.