Results 4,121-4,140 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I am asking you to consider this, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Perhaps you will raise it at the committee. However, given that the Official Languages (Equality) Bill was passed in the House recently, it would be helpful if the prayer was read as Gaeilge amháin chun ár dtacaíochta a theaspáint don teanga. I refer to the recent 15 page document published by the Taoiseach outlining the Government's record. Amazingly, people do not believe it. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I know Government Senators are dying to have such a debate but we are confused on this side of the House. We have missed the point somewhere along the way.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The issue of prices and inflation, raised by Senator Finucane, can be discussed during the debate on Sustaining Progress. However, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has raised the issue of the groceries order on three or four occasions recently. I do not know what is the correct view to take. I suspect most of us are the same. We have received material for and against from all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I am absolutely aware of that, a Cathaoirligh. I am not for one moment casting any aspersions on the Clerk. I am just asking whether we should change that Standing Order to state that the prayer need only be read as Gaeilge. That would do me fine.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I am absolutely aware of the procedure. After listening to it every day for 17 years I have learnt it – slowly, but I have learnt it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Some do not want to allow God to stay in the Constitution.

Seanad: Sustaining Progress: Statements. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister of State for outlining the position. It gives me great pleasure to discuss this issue. I strongly support the points made earlier by Senator Mansergh about the effort that goes into the production of such a report. I ask the Minister to convey my thanks to the teams of civil servants who worked day and night and at weekends over a long period, and have done so for the...

Seanad: Sustaining Progress: Statements. (27 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: No, not the drink, the pizza. We are anti-drink at the moment. We cannot mention drink. I am talking about the basic margherita pizza, which one can get anywhere in Italy for about €5.50 to €6, whereas it is difficult to get one for less than €7 here. To make comparisons, we should have access to lists showing the price of baskets of commonly purchased goods in the various European...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Only 20 minutes ago, as I walked down the corridor, I complimented Deputy Healy-Rae on the spring in his step and the glint in his eye that I had not seen for a year.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I told him he was back. The old insurance policy is worthwhile.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Kerry people look out for each other in such situations, as I know my colleague, Senator Coghlan, would be aware.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: At least I have a price. On a number of occasions we have had discussions in the House and heard a number of presentations by the various farmer groups on agricultural prices. They have talked about the discrepancy between farmgate prices and what the consumer pays. I have said at least three times in the House that there are cartels at both the farmgate and consumer ends. Those buying on the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is another one for us.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: That is right.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (21 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the debate because this is a crucial issue. I do not blame any Government but, in many ways, the west is almost a wasteland, it is dying on its feet. I made this point last week about a number of towns. Kilbeggan and Ballinrobe are both without a hotel, although they had one previously. I travel the country more than most Members and always look for the old, traditional local hotel...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I appreciate and support Senator Fitzgerald's views on most issues but the most shocking thing I heard from him was that he sees this as a subsidy for the middle classes. That is outrageous.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Perhaps he did not mean that. He added the phrase "upper classes".

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to share my time with Senator Ross.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Every teacher, garda, nurse or other middle class parent I knew had education policies to pay for the education of their children. They scrimped, scraped and sacrificed to put them through college. They did more. Some sold their end of career gratuities to pay for their children in college. I know one man who took a career break from his job. He had three children at college and could not...