Results 3,241-3,260 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Our earlier discussion was focused on this section. This section on the object and functions of the executive and the one dealing with the plan are the two that give me the greatest cause for concern. I do not get comfort from this section as a good receipt for our â¬10 billion or â¬11 billion. We need to know more. What is the deal here? Earlier the Minister of State referred to efficient...
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That was after the strike had been called. What had been happening for the pastââ
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Does it inspire confidence? That is the question.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: One of the contracting parties is gone. The Minister of State is replacing a contracting party.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: One of the parties is gone. The Minister of State should speak to the House as a lawyer. I am right and he knows that to be the case.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: There is nothing in that section which relates to normal contract law under which two people have a contract with each other. It merely lists the different Acts.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: Did a Minister speak against the Government in Nenagh?
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I missed the vote on Second Stage.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I would have voted for the Bill, although that does not mean I do not have serious reservations about certain aspects. It has the potential to improve the situation, however improvements are also needed in the Bill. It is a mistake, and will require amending legislation within 18 months. Senator O'Meara made a point about a clear mission statement. That is one way in which the Bill is wrong....
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I hope that it does do the business and it is right that it should be in place. I hold the view, and have said so publicly on many occasions, that locally elected people should have a critical involvement in this structure, but it is wrong to say there was unanimity within the Government parties on this issue. That were not and there still is not. Will the Minister of State agree that because...
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That is after the plan is written.
- Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: The issue must revolve around the meaning of the word "facilitate". If I were to take a benign interpretation of this, it would be to the effect that the board would be required to co-operate with the postgraduate institutions which require their students, such as house doctors etc., to have experience at ground level. A situation often arises among all sorts of professional groups, from...
- Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: When the Road Traffic Bill 1993 was going through the House, it was introduced by one side of the political spectrum before the Government changed and it was reintroduced by the other side. In both debates, I put down an amendment to the effect that it should not be an offence for a person not to carry his or her driving licence. Despite the Minister of State's point in regard to nominating a...
- Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: It took us 24 years to agree to a European passport and it will take as long to agree an EU driving licence. In the meantime, could we have a plastic one here?
- Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: When the Seanad dealt with the Immigration Bill 2004 and a motion on the matter, Senators pressed the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the issue of Irish citizens who were born here. The Minister took a strong position on getting the legislation through at that time, but he promised to take a pragmatic and open view of the matter after it had been enacted. When he said that he...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: That is disgraceful. Can we attend those meetings?
- Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: I support Senator Finucane's viewpoint as the House could have a useful debate on this issue. Will the Leader convey, on behalf of the House, our congratulations to the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach for the extraordinary openness they displayed in dealing with yesterday's press conference?
- Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: It was a model of good practice in an era when people talk about transparency and availability. I would love to force-feed that approach to President George Bush who never takes questions. The press conference was superbly handled.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: While people might not have liked what they heard, every question was answered and there was no attempt to hide. When I spoke here three days ago, I said I hoped that whatever happened, we would not end up in a cloud of ignorance. We know how matters stand and can measure what progress has been made. While the increment may not be the extra mile we wanted, it is important to us all that we...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)
Joe O'Toole: All I can say to Senator Brian Hayes is, "Welcome aboard, brother".