Results 3,301-3,320 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The approach I would take if I were an Opposition Member, and which I am tempted to take as an Independent, is to put the Government to the board each month to tell us how many new jobs have been brought forward. The Minister of State knows I raised such a proposal in the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I will be seeking this information on a monthly basis in an attempt to...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I pleaded with the Minister of State during the previous debate in this House to admit that the decentralisation programme could not be done in three years. I contended that the timescale, which was unattainable, represented the worst aspect of the scheme and would bring the project into disrepute. This afforded an opportunity for the Government to admit the programme could not be implemented...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It seems a Haughey is needed out there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That would not be fair.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It would be unfair to ask the members of the committee.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It was confirmed in a court case this week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Last Wednesday, the House had a long debate on Private Members' time on the proposals and thoughts of the National Roads Authority. The issue of the proposed M3 motorway going through Tara was discussed at length. I congratulate the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Haughey, for emerging as the soul of Fianna Fáil on this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: He has shown himself to be courageous and independently minded. Whatever way it works out, he has given a clear indication of his understanding of a complex issue. He reflects the views of many people who are very concerned. I have spoken to many such people in recent weeks. We should come back to the issues that were raised here last week. An article in The Irish Times last Saturday...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to correct the record.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I have consistently supported decentralisation and I requested a debate on it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I agree that we need an early debate on decentralisation, which is a debacle. I put it to the Leader that the House was seriously misled on this issue. During our last discussion with the Minister, I asked him four times if he was certain this could be done in three years. I could see no way that it could be done in three years but felt there might be some way of making it work if there was a...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Members most sincerely for their contributions. It is very important that this debate took place. I am deeply dissatisfied and it is not satisfactory that the Government tabled a 31-line amendment to the motion which makes no mention of Tara or its heritage. I am deeply unhappy with the contributions from the Government side of the House because they do not address the issue. What...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Half my neighbours are from County Meath and those with whom I discussed this issue are all from the county. As a Kerryman, I have a fatal attraction towards Meath people because they wear the green and gold colours.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It is a typical Fianna Fáil trick to raise many matters with which Senators agree. While I agree with 90% of what was said by Government Members, the issues they raised were irrelevant and lacked focus. As regards Senator Morrissey's question, as the Minister of State will confirm, I answered it two weeks ago in the House when I pointed out the problems encountered at the point at which the...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: There are no park and ride facilities on the M1, N2 or N3. We will know the Government has acted when we see these facilities. I share the concerns expressed regarding the Natterjack toad, the Kerry slug, bats in Ardrahan and so forth and I often visit the Broadmeadow Estuary to watch the swans, which are flourishing. Those are not, however, the issue before us, which is the Hill of Tara and...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: As I look around the House, I see Senators who have taken brave decisions many times on development issues. I ask the House to make one more such decision.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I understand Senator Dooley is an up and coming Senator with a major career ahead of him. I commend him on wanting to do a good job as a Fianna Fáil Senator, but he is wrong on this occasion.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: While important, Senator Mansergh's statement that the NRA is the largest employer of archaeologists and the second largest planter of trees is irrelevant in the context of this debate. Senator Cummins recently asked me what was happening with regard to Woodstown, County Waterford, where a commitment has been given that certain archaeological finds would, to use the words of Senator...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: He is not being allowed to make the decision. The Minister for Transport has taken over.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Does the Government need another term?