Results 3,861-3,880 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Section 49 refers to the discharge of sewage and waste from vessels. The sewage from vessels causes far fewer problems than their waste water. Vessels on the Shannon, or any of our inland waterways, should be required to use eco-friendly washing powders, washing-up liquids and soap. This would have a greater positive impact on the water than an improvement in sewage disposal. Sewage does not...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I appreciate the Minister's intervention; this information is very helpful. I am worried about one thing, however. If I were a member of al-Qaeda and I wanted to do real damage to a city I would block up the two ends of its sewerage system and light a match. That is all it would take. There is a build-up of methane and other gases in sewerage systems around the UK and, I am sure, in Ireland....

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: We can deal with blockages, but this will be a problem some day. Another problem that arises from not having a proper map of all sewerage networks around the country is the huge growth in the rat population. Much of this may be to do with the sewerage systems, although I cannot prove this in any way. People say that one is never more than ten feet from a rat at any time.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: In here we all qualify, so it makes no difference.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That is even with my own colleagues gone. Mapping is crucial for the future. We must know what work can be done, where the leaks are and the amount of wastage. I recently spoke to a man who was having a row with the local authority of a Munster city. He maintained that he was being charged too much for water and that he could not possibly be using that amount in his business. The local...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I support the comments of Senator Kitt about the development of sewerage schemes in small towns, which is crucial. I admit that over the past 14 years the developments in this area have been extraordinary. I have watched schemes being built and developed, especially along the Shannon, and have seen how they have improved matters. This must be the future. I do not understand bio-systems...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Every domestic sewage system should be tertiary. There is no reason people cannot have two septic tanks beside each other. A single septic tank does not treat the water — it simply goes straight through. The water should go through one septic tank divided into two, another septic tank divided into two and a filter area before being released. This would help prevent any pollution from...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: This is a positive note on which to conclude. I am heartened that we are moving towards controlling the area of water quality, having a strategy to make it work and deliver the cleanest water in Europe to our communities. If we can do that, we will have done a good day's work. I remind the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of his confirmation and reiteration that...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I can go home happy tonight. I am easily satisfied.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: As long as the Progressive Democrats is doing so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I would also like to speak about the importation of various types of meat into this country. This is the third time in the space of a year that an issue of this kind has been raised. Along with the two matters mentioned by Senator Finucane, we spoke last year about poultry from outside the EU which is processed in Holland and sold on the Irish market. Meat is coming into this country from...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: A Chathaoirligh, I seek protection.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: This money has begun to appear in the pay packets of Members.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: It will arrive from our next pay packet. The decision has been taken and the money is flowing. It is an embarrassment to all of us that this issue is still on the Order Paper of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I ask those Members who tabled the motion to put a stop to what they are doing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: That goes with the territory when one privatises companies.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Yesterday there was a call for a discussion on Aer Rianta and it is appropriate that should take place now that the heat is gone out of the situation. It is a pity the father of the House, my colleague, Senator Ross, is not present to recognise that industrial relations structures sorted out the difficulties yesterday and we are moving on. It would be appropriate to have a discussion on Aer...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: Tá áthas orm go bhfuil an seans agam bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht seo. Chuir mé ceist sa Teach seo cúpla mí ó shin conas a tharla nó cé a thóg an cinneadh gan iarratas a chur isteach 30 bliain ó shin agus brú a chur ar an Aontas le teanga oifigiúil a dhéanamh den Ghaelainn. Ní dhearnadh é an uair sin agus ní thuigim conas a tharla sin ach ní bhfuair mé aon fhreagra....

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State. It is timely that we are considering this issue at the beginning of a new year. It is difficult to have a general debate on this issue without people becoming very emotional. Given that most of those involved in this area have personal responsibilities, their views on the issue are understandable. While I do not know the rights or wrongs of dealing with mental...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

Joe O'Toole: I also wish to raise that issue, although I do not believe it would be helped too much by the introduction of the Minister at this stage. I have previously asked for debates on industrial relations. Something sad has happened to this country in recent times. If any of us faced a situation where our job security or that of our children, friends or neighbours was suddenly undermined, we would...