Results 3,101-3,120 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

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

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the opportunity to second the motion. I compliment my colleague, Senator Ross — after 20 years of trying — on finding an issue on which we are in absolute agreement. I am appalled by the Government amendment. I do not see the sense in it. It is utterly unpolitical and has the hallmark of people who have been too long in office. They are in a comfort zone. It does not reflect the...

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

Joe O'Toole: There are toll roads also.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I completely reject the criticism of the Garda. This is the kind of argument constantly used by politicians. Both sides of the House passed the legislation in question. The legislation was introduced by one side and was implemented by the other side following the change of Government in 1996. Attitudes changed on both sides immediately.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: As I understand it, Senator Brian Hayes said that gardaí are being directed by certain members of the force to increase the number of penalty points given. When the legislation was introduced, the only objections to the speed limits came from these benches. Senator Ross and I proposed that there should also be a capacity to have a minimum speed limit and that this power should be given to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Another issue of relevance this week is the circulation of frightening statistics on class sizes and teacher numbers by the Irish National Teachers Organisation. I support the point that Senator Browne made yesterday that the Minister for Education and Science should provide an indication of her thinking on class sizes, special educational needs, rural schools, etc. The Leader will be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: While looking at the monitor during the course of the expressions of sympathy for Michael O'Higgins, it struck me that people like him who served so long and so loyally in this House, including as Leader, should be entitled to retain the title of Senator, as I previously said on the occasion of the retirement of former Senator Des Hanafin. We would all be honoured by being associated with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: This is the issue that bothers me. I do not say this as any personal criticism of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I have defended him and I do not believe him to be racist, nor do I believe many of the things that have been said about him. However, there is a time for flexibility and this is one such time. When I spoke on the Immigration Bill, I said there would be times...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (22 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Those of us on the Independent benches wish to be associated with the condolences offered by the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition. While none of us on these benches served with former SenatorO'Higgins it is easy for us, as the Leader of the Opposition said, to salute him and honour the commitment he and his family have given. It is ironic that he should die in the week...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is with some regret that these discussions become party political issues. Senator Browne is correct in that many people from both sides of the House over the past 17 years have called for the heads of Ministers. I have asked on at least ten occasions in that time for a full debate on the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, as amended in 1995, to establish what is meant by the "Accounting...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: The Travers report is absolutely clear. I have read it three times and do not doubt its accuracy. In 1975 and 1976, the then Minister for Health, Brendan Corish, was a member of the Labour Party but this could have happened to anyone. His Department's legal officer gave him advice to the effect that the charge was not legal. In the officer's words, the charges would require a legal amendment...

Seanad: Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Statements. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I want this to be clear on the record. That member understood it to be the particular folder in question, although how he read through the cover is unknown. Whether he is right or wrong, everyone accepts that there is no record anywhere of the folder having arrived in the Minister's office. What happened next is that on 10 March the Minister had one or two meetings with the Secretary General...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Leader for arranging statements on the Travers report first thing this morning. It is very much appreciated on this side of the House. I also believe other Members will want to participate in that debate, which I will be happy to start immediately after the Order of Business. If no other Member wants to speak, I will be happy to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Yes, if the Minister is not available. People want to record their views on the matter, not talk to the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Then we should just begin the debate and take our turn. The problem arises when people want everything.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is a little like ATMs, yes. One lines up and does one's business. The issue of suicide, the reasons for it and the way we should address the problem have been discussed in the House on many occasions but it is a subject on which we have very little in terms of facts. I would like to have a further discussion on the problem, particularly the connection between suicide and alcohol...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I would like to make a brief intervention on the Bill. I have spoken over the past week or so with a number of different groups that have concerns about some of the elements in it. I do not oppose the levying of some form of payment; there should be some form of payment where people can afford it. I am clear on the Supreme Court's reflection on this fact. The court did not object to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: Is that the Travers report?

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, normally a referral motion is taken without debate on the basis that the subject matter will not be discussed in the House. Is the Leader saying it will be discussed in the House as well as being referred to the committee?

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: I made the point yesterday on the Order of Business that I felt the current arrangements in primary schools whereby untrained personnel have responsibility for the so-called "teaching" of children is another pot waiting to boil over on the Government. It could certainly lead to a class action on the part of parents seeking to question the Government ignoring the constitutional imperative...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Joe O'Toole: It is crucially important to record the further comment of the McCartney family today that they sought justice rather than revenge. That is so articulately expressed that it puts in context the importance of justice in a democracy.