Results 4,041-4,060 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I listened to the Leader's list of A words when winding up. I have seven C words in front of me, which I hope to get through in five minutes: currency, consumer, competition, cartel, conspiracy, criminal and confidence. This is the first benefit of the currency in real terms that people see. There are others but this is one clear benefit to consumers who are the key people in all of this. We...

Seanad: Interest Rates Reduction: Statements. (12 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It is a good message to be sent out at this time from my grandmother Breegy Fitz to the banks of Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I second the amendment by Senator Brian Hayes to the Order of Business. We raised the issue of the banks yesterday. It is no accident that they happen to be moving in concert with each other. A cartel is in operation and it smacks of conspiracy. If it is, it is in breach of serious criminal legislation and would constitute a criminal act. I am not reassured and I am certainly not happy just...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: This should be investigated. It would be appropriate to have a portrait of James Connolly or somebody else to represent that aspect of Irish life.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I am not blaming the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for this – I thought the House might offer its views. I am sure the senior partners in Government who are worried about Irish life moving too far to the right would be very supportive of what I have said. I ask the House to support me in this matter in order that we may have balance in all things.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator can sit in the back row and whinge or he can go up front and deliver.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Deputy Leader should find another way.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I also wish to ask the Leader to arrange a debate on interest rates. There is no monopoly of wisdom on one side of the House as opposed to the other in respect of this issue. I would like Members to place their views on record and give a clear message. Will the Leader consider arranging such a debate for tomorrow? I will propose an amendment to tomorrow's Order of Business on that issue. The...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) The Minister may by order provide for the commencement of this Act on a date earlier than the passing hereof where necessary to comply with Council Directive 1999/70/EC." Senator McDowell asked me to deal with these issues on his behalf if he was not here. The point behind the amendment is...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome very much the inclusion of pay and pension entitlements. It is hugely important and I am sorry that I did not get the opportunity to say that on Second Stage. On the advice from the Attorney General's office, my understanding is that a European directive is enforced from the time it is passed and that one cannot delay the spirit of the directive merely by waiting for the legislation...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, subsection (1), line 2 after "writing" to insert ", including a contract of employment with an employment agency.". There are two issues here. The Minister of State will understand that I am talking about people who have a contract of employment with an employment agency for a period. If such a person wishes to be protected by this legislation, there is no...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is positive news. Previous legislation covers these workers, many of whom are not temporary. I agree with the point made by Senator McDowell. The workers concerned have been walked on and, in many cases, subjected to slave conditions of labour. There is the potential for them to be underpaid and oppressed in many ways which is the reason they require protection. I understand from what...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is the perfect answer.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, subsection (1), lines 4 to 7, to delete paragraph (a) and substitute the following new paragraph: "(a) any consideration, whether in cash or in kind, which the employee receives, directly or indirectly, from the employer in respect of the employment, and". This amendment proposes to tidy up the definition of "remuneration" which changes in different...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The same issue arises in respect of the definition of employer, which is different to that contained in the 2001 Act. It may be connected with the exclusion of the temporary agency and may be related to our earlier discussion. I do not have the actual definition in my possession, although I looked at it yesterday. If it is not to hand, I would be happy if the Minister of State could indicate...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Why is the change being made?

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I am sorry to see it go.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Will it remain exactly the same?

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 6:

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (10 Jun 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I appreciate the Minister of State's acceptance of my amendment. Amendment agreed to. Section 7, as amended, agreed to. Section 8 agreed to. SECTION 9.