Results 2,141-2,160 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Is the Minister speaking on section 5 or will that be covered in the next grouping? Has he addressed amendments Nos. 25 and 26?

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to raise an issue with the Minister that I raised on Committee Stage. I have no objection to the amendments, but I would like clarification. The question of Irish people living abroad accessing Irish broadcasting is a matter of some significance in respect of which the Minister has been supportive in his comments during the years. I am trying to establish the situation regarding...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I recognise the intensive work that has been done by the departmental officials. I thank the Minister, who has been well advised on the legislation, for being so open to the views of Members. The review provisions are crucially important because it is so hard to keep up with the changes in technology. One can go to the local car park and buy a card to receive various channels. A slingbox...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: What Bill is that?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: They shall have it in Mullingar and can travel to Athlone.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I do not have a difficulty with No. 1 on the Order of Business, which is due to be taken without debate. However, I would like the matter to be discussed when it has been dealt with by the relevant committee. People should reaquaint themselves with the Schengen Agreement. Our attitude towards the latter is the reason we are still obliged to show our passports when passing through half the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Joe O'Toole: ——with environmentally friendly bulbs that do less damage in terms of carbon emissions. I note that the Government issued a statement yesterday to announce its intention to increase the price of incandescent bulbs. That is a regressive and regrettable measure. What does the Government expect people to do? Will they sit and curse the darkness or buy another light bulb? It is simply...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: The list did not feature any teachers either.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I support the call for a debate on that issue. Some 150 families are now under threat from the Department of Education and Science. They have been told by the State Claims Agency that every single case will be fought. They have also been told their houses could be at risk if they lose the case because the State will force them to pay their legal expenses. I have no doubt that colleagues...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: It is a no show, however. Perhaps the Government Whip will indicate whether we should make arrangements for additional Members on the cross-benches.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We might need to reshuffle our spokespersons.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Norris for asking me to second the motion. After his tour de force, I am not sure I can add much. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House. The point of the motion, in discussing it with Senator Norris some weeks back, was precisely to achieve what is outlined in the Government amendment, namely, to have "a foreign policy based on the values of the Irish...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: This is completely opposed to the values of the Irish people. With regard to the Iraq invasion, we can discuss at length the views on whether there were weapons of mass destruction. What is certain is that none were ever found so the balance of evidence has to be that they never existed. We can consider the fact an invasion took place against the wishes of the United Nations and against its...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: I know from my discussions with the Minister over the years that this does not reflect his viewpoint and that he would certainly be in favour of an ethical foreign policy. Why, therefore, could he not go the whole way and support the motion? The Irish people, in their reaction to what they saw, heard and read about East Timor, made their views effectively known at all levels. Senators Ryan...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: No, we are saying it is four years behind time and it should have been extended to Galway by now. That is exactly what we are saying.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We look forward to seeing Fine Gael at the weekend and expect it to be restrained and prudent.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: We are ten years behind schedule with the railway to Mullingar. The money goes back to Dublin every year.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Joe O'Toole: To bring the business back to a more pleasant state, I congratulate Senator Brian Hayes on being selected Senator of the year.