Results 2,941-2,960 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: All sides of the House would welcome a discussion on the risk equalisation proposal because it has been discussed here twice in the last week. Several Members have raised it time and again and it would be helpful to allow people go on the record on this. Many of us do not understand the Tánaiste's reasons for her decision and she has said that we have not fully understood her explanation....

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: That was sent by a concerned member of staff.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments about Derry. When I was in Belfast yesterday afternoon, however, the divisions in that city were clear. When one drives through Belfast at this time of the year, one sees a great deal of regalia in one part of it, followed by a vacuum in the next district, followed by the regalia once more. One can hear drums, etc. As a society, we should strive for a...

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I hope the consumer strategy group will look carefully at tonight's motion and amendments and at the issues we have discussed. The most amazing aspect is that the motion makes only passing reference to the groceries order while the Fine Gael amendment makes no mention of it.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is exactly correct. If the consumer strategy group expects action from the current or the possible next Government, forget it. It is not going to happen. This is political dynamite and one may read from tonight's motion and amendment that neither of the two main parties wants to know anything about it. My friend and colleague, Senator Coghlan, has to represent a particular viewpoint. I...

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: He thought that this new body will have no teeth. Even if it had, he suddenly thought to himself, it might begin to interfere with the market. From the point of view of Senator Ross, the last action we want to take is interfere with the market. He backed off that and began discussing quangos, trade unions and the absence of action. That is exactly what will happen here. I tried to be fair...

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The eradication of the groceries order would leave us placing our trust in these people. I agree with Senator Ross on the issue of the cartels which operate all over the industry. I invite anybody, on their next 100 mile trip outside Dublin, to ascertain for me the number of small towns in Ireland where retail fuel outlets have differing prices on their boards. This does not exist unless...

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Can Senator Leyden explain what is positive about that? The Senator has made up his mind that he is in favour of it.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I would not throw stones if I were Senator Leyden.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Last week, we had a discussion on whether consideration of the Garda Síochána Bill should be deferred for a period. I was of the view that it would be better to deal with it, but that was before the State added more than 100 amendments to the Bill in the Lower House. I am certain that as the legislation is being rushed through the Houses we will get it wrong. I heard the Minister last night...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, the audit committee of the commission, believe it or not, addressed the possibility of a power cut last week. I will bring the idea of a text message and other matters to the attention of the committee next week.

Seanad: School Accommodation. (22 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I also welcome the Minister and thank Senator McCarthy for providing me with the opportunity to say a few words on this issue. I know this school well and have visited it many times. In an earlier age, it gave Sam Maguire to the world. More recently, Senator McCarthy and I today received a note from the school's principal, Miss Burke, asking how she could explain to the parents and teachers...

Seanad: School Accommodation. (22 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: This is how people read the situation. That is the request which we received today without any discussion.

Seanad: School Accommodation. (22 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I will convey the Minister's full reply.

Seanad: Inspector of Prisons Reports: Motion. (22 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Before I begin I would like to digress somewhat. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, on his spirited and very well placed defence of the OPW in the past 24 hours, which some people appreciate. While I would not have associated his party with a spirited defence of aspects of the public service, it is good to see. I say this from the heart. It is important that balance is...

Seanad: Inspector of Prisons Reports: Motion. (22 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: That is a classic.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: There is no doubt that cases such as that raised by Senator Brian Hayes are widespread. An inconsistent approach is taken to those who enter and leave the State. I recently received representations from a person running a business in Munster concerning an employee from a non-EU country who was here officially and legally. When the employee in question experienced a problem with his visa, he...

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I also welcome the legislation although I appreciate reservations have been expressed by colleagues in different places. I have always felt that the cumbersome method of dealing with dismissals of civil servants might have been acceptable in an emerging state in the 1920s and 1930s but it has no place in modern work practices. It is a tidying up exercise that will eventually allow the system...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: They should be kept working at it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I fully understand the point made by the Leader regarding the change to the schedule and I do not have an objection to it. However, we should stick to a starting time, whatever it be, unless a matter of urgency arises. The reason I make that point is that I cannot remember another time in my 18 years in this House when 15 Seanad Bills were waiting to be dealt with in the other House. I find...