Results 2,781-2,800 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

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. (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: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I must register my hurt with the House that in offering thanks and recognition all over the place, Senator Brian Hayes chose to ignore the fact that Senator Ross and myself tabled a Private Members' motion on child care.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Will it be in order, a Chathaoirligh, for me to remove from the Order Paper No. 21, motion 19, in my name, the first part of which calls for the extension of maternity leave to 26 weeks? I will now rewrite the item, although I welcome the fact that it has been delivered. That matter was proposed by Senator O'Meara and myself on a number of occasions over the last year.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: In fact, Senator White did not even speak to the motion that was tabled by Senator Ross and myself. I was upset about that because I was looking forward to her contribution.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Some of us on this side of the House would be quite willing to support a Bill on child care that has been prepared by supporters of Senator White.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We look forward to her own support for her own Bill, but I suspect that she will not give us the honour of doing that.

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: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the budget and I also welcome the opportunity to say a few words about it. It is always difficult to assimilate such an enormous amount of information in such a short time, but there are certain matters we sought on the record and against which we can measure to see where we currently stand. In the main, I welcome this budget as a progressive measure containing some important steps...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Whichever way it comes, it saves them €2,000 of after tax income, which is important.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I also think the €10,000 relief is welcome. Whoever tried to work out the cost in the Department of Finance, however, I would bet my house that they have underestimated it. Nobody knows the way that Irish people can flexibly use that kind of an arrangement and it may well be for use in their own houses. It is good, however, because it legitimises something that people have been forcing...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome those aspects of the budget. The Minister did not mention any proper accreditation system for the child care package. This is very important because once we start creating choice for parents, we must ensure that some checks and balances are included. Both Senator O'Meara and myself have regularly raised that important point. I note from the Budget Statement that people availing of...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: That is a welcome step. The Minister also said that the county committee on child care would be in a position to give information, support and small grants in order to make it happen, but we need to hear more about that. I have no doubt that Senator O'Meara will have questions to ask about this as well. I would like to know how that proposal will work. I am glad there is a registration...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: ——and create what he describes as fourth level education, which I am somewhat amused by. Whatever fourth level might be, I would like to see it established that institutes of technology have as much access to PhD courses as traditional universities. That is very important. As a representative of graduates, I liked the Minister's positive words about the quality of Irish graduates. I...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Quinn for allowing me the opportunity to contribute to the debate and welcome the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan. Since being elected to this House 18 years ago, I have spent most of my time defending Ministers for Agriculture and Food, mainly against the Opposition party, but almost as often against the Ministers' own party. I make this point in all...