Results 2,081-2,100 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I re-echo the point made by Senator Fitzgerald. I confirm that the Leader's office is co-operating with the various groups to agree a motion. I hope the Leader will confirm that a motion acceptable to all is close to being agreed. Dúirt an Seanadóir Fitzgerald gur cóir don Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta theacht isteach chugainn le gnéithe áirithe oideachais a phlé. Tá rud amháin...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: It is the mountainy mutton that gets us going.

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I am delighted to have the privilege of seconding the Bill. I congratulate my colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, for introducing this important legislation. I also congratulate her on breaking a long-standing rule of the Independent benches by finishing on time. I must explain to her that we do not do so. It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local...

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister and look forward to it. It is only pennies but this is about attitude. The important aspect of Senator Bacik's Bill is that it is concerned with meeting our solemn commitments under Kyoto. Kyoto was not dreamt up when we sat around a table. We signed up to it. During the past month temperatures warmer than we have here today were recorded in the Arctic where it was...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: In the spring of this year, the Independent Senators introduced a motion on credit union savings to achieve a guarantee of savings protection and a system that would be independent of all representative bodies and others. There was a long debate in the House and at its conclusion the Government Members did not disagree with my proposal that savings in credit unions should have exactly the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: If we get the small things right in agriculture, we will get the big things right as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Joe O'Toole: This area of the market, which is huge in France, for example, is being ignored. Those who were reared during a particular age will be familiar with the gamey flavour, taste and smell of mutton, which is part of Irish life. I would like the Minister of State with responsibility for food, Deputy Sargent, to come to the House to offer Senators his views on this matter. We need to educate...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I do not want the Green Party to be smothered. Give it a chance.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Before the election, I raised in this House the importance of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. The Bill was passed through both Houses with acclaim on the basis that it would finally provide the resources necessary to allow people with special needs to reach their full potential. The guarantee given was that this would allow schools to do their work, would...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The age of chivalry is not dead.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach. (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The Independent group will not put forward a name. We had a long and deep discussion and the unanimous opinion was that Senator Burke did an excellent job during the previous Seanad. We were impressed by his calmness, openness and how he accepted voices equally from both sides of the House. We are happy to see him nominated and wish him well in the job.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, there is a long tradition in this House that Members making their maiden speeches are not interrupted. This should be respected.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: It is an easy thing to do.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Anywhere.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I welcomed the intervention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs last night when he exhorted the authorities in Burma not to take action against the people demonstrating there. It is an issue which resonates greatly with people in this country. We saw similar action as far back as the time of O'Connell in the 1820s and in Northern Ireland in the 1960s. Gandhi also made it a feature of...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate Senator Ross on his acknowledgement as Father of the House and recognise that he brings to the office a style which we expect of him. I note he has exploited his temporary position to the best of his ability.

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: On behalf of the Independents, I congratulate Members on all sides of the House on their election or appointment. I also wish to point out to new Members that my particular role in this House comes without a title in that I am required to discharge all the functions, duties and responsibilities carried out by the leaders of the other groups but I dare not be called by the "L" word on any...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We are not leaderless because we have a steady rudder. I extend our congratulations to the leaders of the various parties and groups, including Senator Fitzgerald, Senator White, Senator Boyle and, in particular, Senator Cassidy who has served this House with distinction previously. We look forward to keeping him under pressure. I will respond later to some of the points made by him. I am...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (13 Sep 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I am not sure whether Senator O'Malley takes the view of her leader, but we look forward to congratulating her, perhaps, in a few weeks' time. It is a positive reflection on progressive politics that my old sparring partner, Senator Eoghan Harris, has finally made it to the upper echelons of political power. No doubt he will bring colour, controversy and character to the role. He has found...