Results 4,481-4,500 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Let me make a point of order, a Chathaoirligh, although I do not wish to be misunderstood. The Leader has just seconded a proposal by Senator Leyden who listed the names of the unfortunate astronauts who were killed. We must be careful about setting a precedent. It would be very easy for Senator Norris, for example, to read the names of the 400 people killed in Baghdad. While Senator Leyden's...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I support that request. I raised this issue before Christmas after the murder of Brian Fitzgerald. This problem is spreading and it is writ large in Limerick at the moment. There is a crime problem that needs to be addressed. Our discussion should focus on Limerick if necessary but it is a wider issue. We need to know that the Garda have a handle on it in the future.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: None of us on the Independent benches knew the late Senator Farrell. Nevertheless, we would like to be associated with the expressions of condolence to her family and her party. As is always said on these occasions, people come and go through these Houses. Such people took part in the development of this country, this nation, this House and legislation, which makes us who we are. In that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It is important to remind ourselves how world views can change so rapidly. This is germane to the points just made by Senator Brian Hayes. Innocuous as it may seem, one of the papers laid before the House and listed on today's Order Paper might remind us of distant events which occurred all of nine months ago. It contains names about which we no longer hear now that President Bush has decided...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I am taking steps to deal with the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Fianna Fáil is entertaining whether it will be a—

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I do business with Governments, which is all I can do.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, apart from congratulating the Leader on looking as smart as I have seen her for a long period, let us be clear about one thing, namely, there can be only one motion before the House at any given time. On Committee Stage of a Bill, issues that are different but similar can sometimes be discussed with the agreement of the House. I understand we are debating the Fine Gael...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The national agreement.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The House is being misled at this point.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order—

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: This is the way in which public representatives get a bad name. Every Member of this House filled a form. Every Member of this House was compared and benchmarked against parliamentarians in other countries.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Let the record show.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Ross has already made up his mind on it. I do not think he should be allowed to debate it. He has a closed mind on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Censorship. It is amazing that the Labour Party should propose it.

Seanad: Development of Rugby: Motion. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Development of Rugby: Motion. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator is stretching it a little.

Seanad: Development of Rugby: Motion. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: When I heard the moral sermonising from these benches today about what might or might not be appropriate to debate this evening, I was reminded of my first year here and meeting somebody who I thought might enter national politics. He informed me that he had decided not to do so because he was putting his family first. It knocks one for six to hear moral certitude of that kind. It took me...

Seanad: Development of Rugby: Motion. (29 Jan 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Minister touched upon one point I would love him to have developed, namely, that rugby plays an important role and delivers significant social benefits in terms of helping to provide our young people with a healthy and enjoyable outlet. I would not stand here and defend the reduction of a grant towards sports and leisure facilities in any part of Ireland – from inner city Dublin to Tory...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Dec 2002)

Joe O'Toole: I am pleased that the Leader took the time to mention the contribution of John McCabe to the House. He is a good example of a person who is a cog in a wheel which keeps that wheel moving all the time. I have always enjoyed his good humour, pleasantness, general attitude and caring way towards people. He had to cope with personal tragedy in his own life not too many years ago and he still...