Results 3,081-3,100 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: —— and more importantly and seriously, what does the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government have to say about it. When the tertiary sewage treatment system was put in place at Ringsend it was promised that there would be no olfactory fall-out or difficulties arising from it, but that has proven not to be the case. I would like a response on this matter.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Súilim go n-éireoidh go maith léi sa phost nua atá aici. Tá sí sé mhí sa phost anois and we expect results. Despite all of the discussions, the 20:1 pupil-teacher ratio commitment set out in the programme for Government will not go away. It will have to be delivered. While I accept the Minister requires time to achieve the target and do...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The best I can say about the motion is that in using the phrase "committed to reducing further" in the last paragraph somebody avoided the possibility of splitting an infinitive. How will the 300 additional posts across the education system be provided? I dare not ask, but I presume the provision of perhaps 150 posts at primary level will be to address educational disadvantage only. As it is...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister inherited this legacy. She cannot be blamed for asking how a class size of 20:1 can be delivered. It is not her demand; it is a commitment which the Government made to the people. The Minister is entitled to get the resources to implement it. I do not see how the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, can do other than support her. They might say they do not have...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is not that there is no need. They should not be paid.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Motion. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Is the 20:1 pupil-teacher ratio commitment still there?

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The first report of the Morris tribunal has not yet been debated in either House of the Oireachtas. It is an issue of great concern to many people and is being widely discussed in the media and other places. As far as I recall, it was published in early July last year. I do not believe we have had the opportunity to debate it, but I am open to correction on that. I have not contributed to any...

Seanad: Expressions of Sympathy on the Death of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I would like to be associated with the sentiments expressed about the Pope. In Ireland, we have a long tradition of not speaking ill of the dead and of celebrating their lives. In my personal response to the Pope's death, I thought of the things that inspired me, annoyed me and entertained me. An occasion like this is like an Irish funeral, which we do very well. We think back on someone's...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: There has been a demonstration today outside the gates of the House regarding an issue concerning workers at Gama, of which we are well aware. It is appalling that only those on the left side of politics appear to have taken an interest in this matter. Is it that we cannot add, count or read? Workers, builders and the Irish economy have lost an opportunity because these unscrupulous people,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Apr 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I also congratulate the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on having the self-confidence and flexibility to listen to advice. He attracted much criticism in respect of this matter but he obviously realised that there was a need for him to intervene. There have not been many examples of Ministers intervening on issues in such a public way or of their being prepared to change their...

Seanad: Establishment of Joint Committee on the Constitution: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Before we agree the motion, this is an all-party constitutional group which does not include Independents who now constitute one tenth of the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I will no longer accept anything relating to the so-called all-party constitutional committee. It is questionable to say it reflects our views. I do not want to hold up the business of the House, but if it is a...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (24 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On behalf of the independent Senators, ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá chomh maith chun cur leis an méid atá ráite ag an gCeannaire agus Senator Brian Hayes. Is dócha gur cheart tosnú lena rá gur dhuine den scoth ab ea Pól Ó Foighil, duine go raibh i gcónaí sásta an fód a sheasamh le haon grúpa nó aon rud a raibh creidiúint aige féin ann. B'shin mar a bhí sé i gcónaí....

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the House for giving me an opportunity to put this matter on the record. The Minister of State has always shown an interest in education. In his previous role, he showed a particular interest in the development of the IT sector. I want to talk tonight about further education which in many instances is the forgotten sector in Irish education. The reason it is...

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Is that a "Yes"?

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Go raibh míle maith agat, ach fan nóiméad amháin. The Minister of State gave a great spin. However, he rejected the first item, or gave it recognition as a separate issue, and indicated that something might happen in regard to the other matters. He also appeared to indicate that people are involved in discussions. However, we do not know the identities of these people. He also state that...

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Is this generosity or have we heard it before? Is there anything new in it?

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: We will do our best with it.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I am amazed that a man from a Border county would not support me in recovering some of occupied Dublin.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator should try it.