Results 4,061-4,080 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

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

Joe O'Toole: I have a question on section 9. I would like some clarification as to the objective grounds or the reasons that may exist for the renewal on a fixed-term contract basis, rather than a contract of indefinite duration. Who will decide on this matter? Section 8 provides a definition of objective grounds for less favourable treatment but there is no definition for objective reasons or grounds...

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

Joe O'Toole: He could be re-trained in rap music.

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

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister for taking those questions. Question put and agreed to. SECTION 10.

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

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 9: In page 10, lines 37 to 40, to delete subsection (1), and substitute the following new subsection: "(1) Where an employee has completed one year of continuous employment with his or her employer or associate employer (a) his or her fixed term contract may be renewed on only one occasion and (b) where the combined period of the fixed term contracts exceeds 4 years, the...

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

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister of State for being so open on the issue. I accept and understand that there has to be further internal consultation between Departments. I understood the Minister of State to say he intended to bring the matter to the Dáil and that it would come back to this House at some stage, although not on Report Stage because the consultation will not have been completed by that time.

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

Joe O'Toole: I very much thank the Minister of State for accepting the arguments, which I hope he will take on board during the consultations.

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

Joe O'Toole: The former Department of Industry and Commerce went through various name changes before becoming the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Every time the name changed it involved a new seven year contract. That is where it could work in somebody's favour. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Government amendment No. 10: In page 10, subsection (1), line 39, after "associated employer" to...

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

Joe O'Toole: That is a matter about which I am confused. There is a further issue which also bothers me. I have been turning around in my head the idea of members of the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána being on fixed-term contracts. It is certainly fresh thinking and I do not see the reason they have to be excluded. I cannot see how it would arise. Gardaí and members of the Defence Forces can...

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

Joe O'Toole: I do not have the directive to hand and have no doubt that what the Minister of State has read out is correct. The point is, however, that it was something which could come up in the consultation process with the social partners but never did. It was never discussed on this island prior to putting together this legislation and no argument was made to the social partners. I heard what the...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: My understanding of subsection (11) is that "failure to do so" refers to someone who has been excused under the terms of the earlier provision. As Senator Quinn points out, one could take the interpretation he has given. I know that is not intended and reassurance should be given immediately. A phrase such as "a company or relevant undertaking described under this section, unless excused...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I second the amendment. I do not agree with it, but I will second it.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It has always been my view that it does not need to be five years. If somebody moves directly from being a senior executive to being a board member, one could not describe him or her as independent. That probably happens quite regularly. A person might move from being a senior executive or perhaps retire from the executive function and become an non-executive director. I accept that such a...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I knew it was wrong the moment I said it, but I could not retract it. My young colleague, Senator Quinn, will understand what I meant. Perhaps there could be a softening in regard to the five years.

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: While I hold no brief for the directors of the AIB, I wish to distance myself from the comments made by Senator Leyden about them. The case of the AIB is an interesting example. Senator Leyden is incorrect in saying the directors of AIB would go to jail or would be held criminally responsible if the same thing were to happen under this legislation. When the board of directors became aware of...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: They took responsibility, as a matter of principle, but their board decided that it was incorrect to hold them responsible because they had done as much as they were required to do and that there had been a systems breakdown. One cannot hold directors responsible for the nefarious activities of someone in a backroom somewhere. If that were the case I would support Senator Quinn. If we ever...

Seanad: Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, that is also my understanding of the rules of the House. I am concerned that, during the past 30 minutes, Members have made remarks about the largest public listed company in this State at a turbulent time in the international markets. The House should dissociate itself from any views that the directors of that company – in whom I have the fullest confidence – should...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It would be useful for the House to note the nomination of the new Garda Commissioner, Mr. Noel Conroy, and offer him our congratulations and every support on his appointment. I have no doubt that a man born and reared with the taste of salt in his mouth in Blacksod on the Mullet Peninsula, with all the good sense possessed by people from that part of the country, will make a huge impression...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It might help.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: There has been a change in prices since 1963.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.