Results 3,761-3,780 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to declare an interest. As vice chairman of the PIAB, I have taken a deep and abiding interest in this area. There are a number of issues regarding the whole area of brokerage and insurance on which we need further information. One of the recommendations of the report is that the client should be aware of the fees and commissions being paid. This should be made clear from the...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (25 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome this legislation. During the negotiations on Sustaining Progress, the issues contained in the Bill were central to a resolution. In welcoming it, I also have some regrets. I regret that the Irish employers and business people do not have the confidence and courage to recognise fully the right of employees to be represented by trade unions. While there is a constitutional right for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The issue is clearly beginning to gather moss among the general population. People are very upset and concerned about what is going on. From the outset I was actively in favour of electronic voting for two reasons; one reason was speed and the other was accuracy. It was suggested that, for the first time, we would have true proportional representation. It now appears that we cannot have true...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Can the Minister of State explain what moving to less demanding work means?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Let us make it easy, how will it work in a two-teacher school?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, the Minister is giving incorrect information. The SPEARS will come into effect. We still cannot draw the pension until the age of 65. SPEARS was an add-on.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: While I know the Minister is not doing so deliberately, what he said is misleading.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: What does it mean for someone wanting to retire at 60?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: While I know it is not done deliberately, it is misleading.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I pleaded with her not to take the word of her demographers who told her what would happen in education in the following ten years. Everything I said on that is on the record and has proven to be correct. Senator Mansergh is absolutely right. The idea that in 2056 the dependency ratio will be 2:1 is absolutely inconceivable. Are we to run the country by computer? It is impossible to consider...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is too complex for Senators on this side of the House to comprehend.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator has struck a chord with the Minister. We are making progress.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Is it finishing?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: A pension is a better idea.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House. I am sorry he was given the job of bringing in this destructive legislation. I urge that some of the issues raised here are responded to in some detail by the Department of Finance. It is important that this is done. I begin by declaring both an interest and a disinterest. The disinterest arises from the fact that although I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I could find some outrage as well to respond to the Government's decision onNo. 2.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It is on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

Joe O'Toole: This is what Governments do in this situation, although it is appalling. Could the Leader please extend the speaking time on No. 4 from 12 to 15 minutes? I would like to hear people from all sides of the House participate in that debate on a non-party basis. It is an issue we need to consider. We have had several discussions recently about the need for a proper, structured approach to...