Results 3,981-4,000 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: None of the Independent Senators has had the pleasure of working with or being a colleague of the late Senator and Deputy, Bernard Markey, but we would like to join in the expressions of sympathy to his family and recognise his years of commitment to public life and his work as a public representative for Louth, the broader constituency he represented in this House and his home town.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: In echoing Senator Brian Hayes's comments about the actions of members of the Garda Síochána yesterday, we should remember that such actions have a long tradition in the force. As a young Garda sergeant, the current Garda Commissioner also faced down an armed gunman for which he received the Scott Medal. I referred to this matter on the day of Commissioner Conroy's appointment. The public...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: A telephone box sized party called the independent Progressive Democrats has also emerged recently. There is utter confusion in the House and among the public. It would be worthwhile if we sorted out the matter among ourselves to find out exactly where people stand.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Leader is correct that somebody needs to shape up and questions need to be answered. I would like to hear answers to the questions raised by the spokesman for the Fine Gael Party, Senator Brian Hayes. I also have others, for example, will the two Luas lines ever meet and, if so, how will they be linked? What will happen at the Red Cow roundabout? What will happen with the connection to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: My reference was to those in Government.

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion. - Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements. (7 Oct 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The manner in which this issue has reared up and become so difficult is unfortunate. When we passed legislation some years ago, I recall that there was unanimity in the House, as there should be when approaching this issue. It is unfortunate that this is no longer the case. The Government may fire shots back across the floor at the Opposition, but I do not believe the Opposition can be blamed...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It is appropriate that we should be aware of what is happening in Europe at the conclusion of the debate on the farm talks which will have a huge impact on this country. We should look for a full report on the issue in this House and try to make the debate a little better than the last one by considering the future for Irish farmers and farming. It appears they are being squeezed in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: In the same way Members on the Government side can congratulate the Minister without seeing the deal. We are starting all over again.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is right. I am sure the Minister of State knows my views on this legislation. It is a victory for the bureaucrats. Politicians have been stitched up. There is about as much wriggle space left in this legislation as one would find in a tin of sardines. Every possible angle is covered, every possible proposal is circumscribed and every possible attempt to do the things we wanted to do is...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is right – there is legal advice. When it comes to writing up the legislation and covering all the angles, though, it is much harder. Even among those of us who have been here a long time and understand the way things operate, I do not think anyone would feel competent to write a Bill from scratch – it would be impossible. The relationship between this commission and the Committee on...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I accept that point.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I would support either of the two suggestions made by Senator Brian Hayes and be amenable to a proposal of a similar nature. It would not look good if the House did not sit for that time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: We should put our heads together to deal with this problem. I would like to mention some issues that have been raised. Senator MacSharry spoke yesterday about the various groups which have blocked positive development. There is a case for dealing with such issues. Senators on the Government side raised the possibility of a deeper debate on transport. We should look at the position in Irish...

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister. Every time we have a debate on topics such as health or agriculture, it quickly deteriorates into a row between the various political parties on how they do their business, which does not help. Today's debate confirms my view that politicians and elected representatives have very little to offer the health service. That is not to say that they have nothing to offer,...

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: There is little difference between what Members on all sides of House are saying on this subject. There is a difference in the Fine Gael position on neutrality at the end. This country has never been neutral. It may have been politically neutral but it has never been neutral. We should look closely at where we stand on issues. We should recognise the fact that there is a moral, military and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The House should note the fact that benchmarking awards will be paid to politicians during the course of this month and next month. We will not receive the payments before anyone else but at the same time as most of the rest of the public service. I would like to make two points about this development, which is crucially important. Any moneys to be allocated have been hard won and hard fought...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Some may be better able than others to afford to send back money. It is an easy way to receive positive and warm acknowledgement and affirmation from the public. Any increases received by any group such as politicians, teachers or anyone else as a result of benchmarking were hard earned and well deserved. This should be made clear. The benchmarking process also includes a real commitment to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It was a matter of concern to all of us to again hear Professor Niamh Brennan on radio this morning defending the position of her committee and her recommendations on consultants' contracts of employment. This is an issue that we must address. I have not heard an adequate explanation as to why it was not accepted. This matter is being discussed in the Lower House tomorrow. When will the...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Say the word.