Results 641-660 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010: Second Stage (28 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I also welcome the Minister, even though I often argue with him about some of his proposals. I tend to be 90% in agreement with his agenda and I welcome this legislation. I compliment his officials who have put a great deal of work into it. The Bill reflects international best practice. One of the great problems is the lack of clarity and responsibility in this area. Until now, the health...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Earlier this week Senator Fitzgerald raised the issue of special needs assistants in schools, with many Senators mentioning the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act and the lack of support from the Government. This is a constitutional issue. Therefore, I invite schools and parents to take a constitutional case against the State to assert the right of children to primary...

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

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

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate the Minister of State on the comprehensive outline he gave Members. I thank him for the composed manner in which he has dealt with this issue in the media and his avoidance of grandstanding, so to speak. This is not surprising because in my dealings with the Minister of State on behalf of another continent, I have always found him to be aware well-informed and committed to...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (27 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the extended family of former Senator Billy Kenneally. I did not know him, although I know his son only too well. I never had the pleasure of serving with him. Nonetheless, on behalf of Members on the Independent benches, I wish to be associated with the tributes being paid to him today. At a time when politics is held in low esteem by the media and the general population and it...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I agree 90% with Senator Fitzgerald on that point. The Government did the right thing in reversing the decision. I know I am in a minority position on that point. It was taken in terms of fairness for that particular group but the Minister did that group no favours by not explaining what he was doing in the House on budget day when he dealt with all the other matters. I know the way the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: And the DART to Dingle.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We are very grateful.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: What about Senator Terry Leyden?

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I am withdrawing the amendment on the basis the Leader has promised a debate on this next week. I ask him to issue a formal statement that the House is taking this position and that we will discuss the issue raised by Senator Wilson next week.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: With the permission of the House I wish to share my time with Senator Norris. I would appreciate it if the Leas-Chathaoirleach would indicate when my time is up.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Gormley, to the House. I compliment him on bringing forward the Bill. Before he gets overly enthusiastic, I should say I have certain reservations about it. It is important that the Minister introduces legislation in this area. I hope he will listen to the arguments made. Some aspects of the matter addressed by the Bill, and related areas, are quite...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: However, I make the case because there are issues we need to discuss. The Minister might take exception to it, but it bothers me in terms of this issue that there is a dismantling of the culture of rural Ireland in the context of hunting and other areas. That is unacceptable-----

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: There is something wrong when the leafy suburbs of the city begin to write and implement the laws for the meadows, mountains and stony soil of rural Ireland. I have put this to the Minister previously. I welcome the fact that he has involved the local authorities but he should operate according to the philosophy of the Green Party, namely, to devolve authority down as far as possible....

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I accept that point.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: As the Minister was present I felt I should make the point. It is the classic example of getting my reaction in first because I believe the Minister is working on something else behind the scenes. There is no question of the licence fee paying for the cost of what is proposed. One can work it out. I did the sums a while ago. I worked it out according to the minimum wage and how many...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I guarantee that this would be a support for the Bill. I would like to get rural Ireland behind this legislation. That is why I wandered off the main theme. Some day we will return again to the horses and other issues. Let us make the legislation work. Let us protect dogs from the horrors and cruelty of puppy farms. To do that, let us get all of rural Ireland, namely, hunt groups, game...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I seek the protection of the Chair.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We have seen very few hunts in North Great George's Street recently.