Results 2,901-2,920 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Before the summer recess, the House discussed the developments in Marino College at some length. I have become aware of some disquieting developments in the college over the past month. They entered the public domain today so I thought I should raise the issue. Put simply, the authorities in the Department of Education and Science entered discussions with the authorities in Marino College....

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: There is a surprise.

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: As it happens, I also, surprisingly, agree with the Taoiseach on that issue. Having stood beside and having been overtaken by those huge cubist trucks, I am afraid of them on the road and I worry about what they do. Their slipstream is like that of a Boeing 747. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, to the House. Having listened to the debate, he...

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I listened to Senator Morrissey, who tried to explain it. In fairness to him, he made a valiant effort. I would hate to put him on the same level but I think he is as confused as I am about what it might be. The crucial aspect is that the Minister of State told the House earlier that it "will work with existing agencies and within existing governance structures and that it will be the...

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: That is an excellent idea. It is no good to us, however, because the problem at the city end persists. Standing at Harte's Corner, one can see where the problem lies. The traffic coming into the city is not prioritised. Traffic should be prioritised until it reaches some place where it can disperse and that is not happening on the N2. I could give the Minister of State plenty more examples....

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: There are acres of space in Senator Morrissey's new constituency, where the Minister of State could also help him out by putting in a park and ride facility at the airport end. There is the proposal, which also relates to Senator Morrissey's constituency, to extend the Metro to Swords, where one could provide a generous sized park and ride facility. Part of the problem with the airport is the...

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State is listening with one ear.

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister of State could wear the Taoiseach's wellies.

Seanad: The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act: Motion. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Henry for sharing time. I welcome the Minister and concur with the support expressed for him and the motion. It is important that we look at this issue in a way that can make a difference for young Irish people in the United States. It is most important that we say to those people on Capitol Hill who oppose this proposed legislation that every single economy in the world that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: As a native of a small fishing village, I have a great deal of sympathy for the points made by Senator Brian Hayes and I congratulate Senator Dardis on the extraordinarily good work he does in the area in question. The Independent Senators have a motion on the Order Paper which deals with that issue but it might be more ecumenical and Catholic of us——

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: ——if we were to simply table a motion welcoming the policy statement and agreeing with the conclusions and proposals in Senator Dardis's paper. We could adopt an all-party approach to this matter. I ask the Leader to consider holding a discussion on Senator Dardis's policy paper on fishing with a view to the Seanad supporting it and taking a vote on that basis.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: To do so would show a proper cross-party and cross-grouping approach to a difficult issue. This is a matter about which the Government does not need to be told about our business. We can go ahead and do it. This is within the House and we should carry out our business and make the Government respect us. We should send a vote of thanks to the OECD for announcing yesterday that while life...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I apologise, the proposal to work until age 85 must be discussed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: As a contributor on this issue for many years, I have always been unhappy with the outcome of debates. However, I wish to request another debate. The difficulty with debates at OECD and European level is that the approach taken is broad brush or blunderbuss. In other words, if we have a problem here we should shoot over there. There is no finesse or attempt to get matters right. During the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: No, no.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Progressive Democrats.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State and associate myself with the words of congratulation and acknowledgement to all concerned, namely the Taoiseach, Senator Mansergh and others behind the scenes. It is an extraordinary achievement. Some people upbraid political parties for confronting Sinn Féin but it is healthy. It means that party is being welcomed into constitutional politics. They are part...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: That is what we need to try to do. Children are born in a Roman Catholic hospital, live in a Roman Catholic housing estate and go to a Roman Catholic school and, after being looked after in a Roman Catholic hospital are buried in a Roman Catholic graveyard. It is the same on the other side. Why can the children of this island not be educated together and follow a common curriculum in their...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: My greatest concern is the safety issue and the fact that the people of Mayo are getting nothing out of the gas find. The final point made by Senator Burke is crucial. The people of Belmullet, the town closest to the gas find, and also the other towns mentioned, should get access to the gas and get the value of it. Even if the safety audit finds the gas pipeline to be safe, it should be moved...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is a system the House devised.