Results 3,261-3,280 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I am not sure how the Labour Party can deal with this but there certainly is very little space on the left for that party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: There is a scamper for the space between the socialist Taoiseach and the comradely Fine Gael Party. On a serious note, the Leader will recall that last week she and I had a discussion very much along the lines of what Senator Brian Hayes has just said. I made the case here last week. The fact is that these workers have not received their normal pay increases. I will not go into that except to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It is due to the trade unions, not the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It can take years to figure out that question.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (8 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: A Chathaoirligh, in paying tribute to the memory of John Francis Conlan I should say none of us on the Independent benches served with him, although I did meet him on one or two occasions on trips he made back here. It is ironic and perhaps fitting in another way that on today of all days we should pay tribute to a man who was part of that generation of politicians who bridged the gap between...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I also raised the issue of the proposed release of the killers of Detective Garda McCabe last week. This matter has sparked a major debate. I cannot remember the last time I received such a response to an issue. People are genuinely worried. The debate has been confused, despite the fact that I and others stated we were prepared to defend the position that the individuals concerned come under...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I fully accept that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It would be nice to hear Sinn Féin say it will not do the deal until these killers get out. I would like that to be on the record.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I listened yesterday to several representatives of bereaved families of RUC members in the North discussing the Detective Garda McCabe case. All of them oppose the early release of those responsible for murdering Detective Garda McCabe. We should be clear that when we voted for the Good Friday Agreement and for the release of murderers and others from our prisons we were conscious that there...

Seanad: Report of Strategic Task Force on Alcohol: Statements (Resumed). (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, to the House. I am glad to speak on an issue which I asked the Leader to put down for discussion. I have had meetings with a number of groups involved in this area, many of which I am sure the Minister of State has also met. One such meeting consisted of a long and detailed briefing from Ms Sinéad Shannon, policy officer for Alcohol Action...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Ross for sharing his time with me. If the Minister needs a chairman for Aer Lingus I am available.

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: When the news of the retirement of the three Aer Lingus executives broke, one would have thought only three people were working in Aer Lingus. It is all very well to say Mr. Walsh is a great entrepreneur, as Senator Ross has done, but Mr. Walsh received his training, career, future and everything he has from the public service. He has much to learn about the ethics of good governance. If he...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister and I am glad to have that clarification on the record. We also need the easyJet service in Ireland. Aer Lingus is opening European routes on the basis of removing planes from UK routes. The company has a shortage of planes at present. Fleet replacement is crucially important and must happen. The pre-Christmas deadline is an important one and should be met. Every time Aer...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The PDs and the Labour Party might exchange places.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: We on the Independent benches wish to be associated with the vote of sympathy and extend our condolences to the family of the late former Senator Russell. None of us, unfortunately, served with him. I met him on one occasion but his name was so synonymous with Limerick over the years that even people outside the city recognise it immediately. As we always say on these occasions, his level of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I have great sympathy for the points raised. I have discussed this issue in the House before and said many times that we in the South also have to make our contribution and put up with the release of people we would prefer to remain incarcerated. I held that position strongly, so long as such people were part of the Good Friday Agreement. Then the people involved in this case went to court...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It was often said that all those Labour Party activists who originally came from Fianna Fáil houses might go back in that direction. I am not sure how Senator Ryan might feel about that, but——

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Joe O'Toole: ——it is something we should look at.