Results 4,001-4,020 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

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

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, lines 25 and 26, after "person" to insert "is incapable or". We must carefully examine the tests of the terms "drunkenness" and "drunken". It struck me that one might be of the reasonable apprehension that a person was intoxicated and also be of the view that the person would not be a danger to himself or herself or others, but would be utterly incapable of...

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

Joe O'Toole: I have listened to the Minister and bow to his superior knowledge on the definition of "incapable", which I mistakenly understood to be a well-established and understood legal term. It is obviously just a journalistic term. What concerns me is how section 4 and others sections are interpreted. Section 4 provides that a licensee shall not supply or permit any person to supply intoxicating...

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

Joe O'Toole: The members of the committee did not like the IQ test aspect.

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

Joe O'Toole: I accept the Minister's point and will withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, lines 26 and 27, to delete "in the vicinity". I am at a loss to understand the reason the words contained in lines 26 and 27 are included. Perhaps I am missing a point but the words "in the vicinity" are not germane to the definition. It almost suggests that if it was considered that a person was to behave in a certain manner, it would be acceptable,...

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

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister.

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

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 4: In page 7, subsection (1), line 19, to delete paragraph (c). When I spoke to this legislation last night I was very agitated, but the thought struck me that I would hate people to think I was approaching this matter from an academic perspective. Not only do I enjoy a bar, but I learned well the way in which to tap a barrel of Guinness with a metal tap and a wooden...

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

Joe O'Toole: Sections 6 and 7 allow the licensee to remove a person.

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

Joe O'Toole: I accept the points made by Minister. I had taken note of the subtleties of the defence. Having reflected on the points made, I will withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, not moved. Section 4 agreed to. Section 5 agreed to. SECTION 6.

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

Joe O'Toole: We have had three attempts at legislation on the employment of young persons, a matter on which I have spent much time in discussion with different groups in the trade union movement. It has always given me some difficulty. I tend to go along with the Minister's final point. The idea of rearing people away from the real world is not good. On the other hand, we must ensure that they are...

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

Joe O'Toole: We are again in danger of going down a slippery slope. The House engaged in four hours of moralising yesterday in the debate on Second Stage. If we continue in this vein, we will introduce prohibition. Rural Ireland takes the right approach. Drink is kept in its place and can be enjoyed by local communities. The licensing laws are implemented in a practical manner, which is to be recommended....

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

Joe O'Toole: There was a time when it was said rural Ireland did not have enough festivals and that nothing was happening. We should be concerned about keeping things alive. Let people organise events. What is wrong with holding festivals? They are a means for people to get together and celebrate. We should encourage them to be creative in their approach to finding things to celebrate. There is enough...

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

Joe O'Toole: What does the Senator mean by private residence?

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

Joe O'Toole: Perhaps I have a solution that would keep everybody happy. I will explain to Senator Leyden and the Minister how the system works in reality. I was on Bere Island at the weekend and went to a lovely place called Lawrence's Cove. The bar has just one space. It is the only bar in the area and food is served. Gardaí come out diligently once a year to remind people of the licensing laws which...

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

Joe O'Toole: Consider that in the context of the lack of understanding in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform of rural Ireland. I am getting confused because Government Members are speaking against the amendment but will support the legislation. Are we trying to impose this on the rest of Ireland because of a problem within the Pale? As the Minister referred to the different times of...

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

Joe O'Toole: The Senator is still not happy, however. The Minister has done everything to meet his needs.

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

Joe O'Toole: Let me speak on behalf of the Minister and remind the House that on at least four occasions since this debate started yesterday evening – I have not been present for the entire debate – the Minister has specifically indicated and explained that the section does not apply to function rooms and weddings and other such things. The definition of "bar" is very clear in the Bill and we...

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

Joe O'Toole: I spoke at some length on this subject on Second Stage and I do not wish to hold up the business of the House. However, it is a step backwards and a decision against the little people. It means that those who are already vulnerable and feel exposed and discriminated against will have greater difficulty finding redress. The whole point and thrust of this Government has been to render...

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

Joe O'Toole: They are everywhere. They are ubiquitous and the Minister is opening new doors for them.

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

Joe O'Toole: Unfortunately, the real world is the Law Library. In the same way that the Minister went to great pains to say this was no reflection on the Equality Authority, nothing I say is a reflection on the District Court, which I never mentioned. I always start to worry when people start to defend – an old Government trick. It implies something and forces me to defend something I have never said....