Results 461-480 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I would like the Leader to update the House on where we stand on the Report Stage of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. There was an understanding to the effect that it would come through the House some weeks back and an ugly rumour is circulating that some people on the Government side are somewhat reticent and hesitant to support Government policy on this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I am sure it is not true, but I would like if the Leader would confirm that the Bill is going through the normal process.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: There did not appear to be any great reason for it to be delayed after Committee Stage, and some Members would like to express their views further on this matter on Report Stage. I am sure Members in the Leader's party take the same view and I should like him to scotch that ugly rumour, if he would be so kind.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: In recent times it is interesting to see how the different standards apply. We noted recently that Bishop Jim Moriarty's resignation was accepted by the Vatican on the basis that he felt he should have challenged the culture, and people accept that, rightly or wrongly. If we take a parallel situation within the banking industry, we are aware that there were at least 15 senior bankers who...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We understand the position of the Senator's party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The point that there is a real need to discuss this has been well made by Senator Fitzgerald. Apart from the Government's role in this, which I will leave to the Opposition parties to discuss, there is the question of ethics in banking. Today's editorial in The Irish Times deals with the Goldman Sachs affair. It is important to see where we stand in this situation. Goldman Sachs...

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010: Second Stage (21 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010: Second Stage (21 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate Senator Bacik and the Labour Party for tabling this legislation. This Bill is simple, effective and comprehensive. It meets all needs and requirements. I am appalled we cannot have the attitude of accepting that this has been produced by someone of significant legal stature in this country who knows what she is talking about. It is as comprehensive as anything a...

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010: Second Stage (21 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Until it is the law of the land, people will be abused and controlled, held under foot and oppressed in this way. People will be told that these are cultural values. We took many bad practices abroad with us, as did those in Chinatown and other groups to countries to which they emigrated. Immigrants in Ireland need the authority from us to say stop and to say they will not agree with a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I support the points made by Senator Fitzgerald. It surely is the case that there are specific issues which are driving ordinary people berserk, including the Fingleton million and the €1 million plus bonus paid to the chief executive officer of Bank of Ireland. I want to put on the record of this House and people should know that the Government has explained this by saying it was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We need to consider this. The German Government financial regulation authority has also begun an investigation of the same issue. It appears to me that this is a classical example of the two-handed approach coming from some of the banks who simply played ordinary punters like violins and took money from them time and again. I would like if a Member of Government could come to the House and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Do not criticise the Government again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, I do not wish to cause a row but this is unfair. If we knew there were to be tributes to the former Senator, we would be able to speak on this and a procedure exists for it. I know he was a special friend of the Leader but we all worked with him as well and it looks awkward if one person speaks and no one else speaks.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I notice the media have jumped on the fact the public service pay deal is a bad one and will be rejected by the members. That is the news story of the day and the way it is being played. It is important to recognise that at a time when the economy is on its knees for whatever reason, and we have discussed this many times, and when there is pressure on every public service, there is no...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Insurance Industry: Statements (1 Apr 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I thank Senator Donohoe for allowing me to speak ahead of him. I declare an interest in that I was very involved in the drafting of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board legislation and in its passage through the House. I am currently the vice chair of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. I was also very active on the joint committee which inquired into insurance a couple of years ago....