Results 701-720 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I apologise to Senator Fitzgerald.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that it is a great day to be rich in Ireland. I just do not know how people can square the circle because seriously rich people have not been asked to put their hands in their pockets. They have made no contributions from their wallets, yet those earning €25,000 in the public sector are being asked to make a contribution. Members of the Seanad are...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I note that the Garda Commissioner has written to the Garda representative bodies to say members of the force will break the law if they take strike action. I do not know about that and would like to have the matter clarified in the House. I do not know what law they would be breaking, but they might be in breach of secondary legislation. It seems the Constitution clearly states people...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: That is also covered by the Constitution.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I am very pleased with the way the Minister of State has dealt with this matter and he has answered all of my points. I accept the argument on the first amendment that the people in question can be invited. I recognise that one could compromise one's independence by giving people such a right. The Minister of State made an interesting point, perhaps one not to be debated now. I listened...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, line 6, after "Commission." to insert the following: "The Secretary General and Head of Finance may attend meetings though not as members of the committee". I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Yesterday, there was a long and convoluted discussion on matters related to the establishment of the audit committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Is the grouping amendments Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, or Nos. 1 and 7?

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I misunderstood. May I continue? I understood we were discussing amendments Nos. 1 and 7.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: In that case I will comment on all the amendments. I welcome very much the fact that the Government has listened to the various arguments I put forward yesterday. The most important element is that there should be direct access to the commission for the audit committee and that the audit committee should advise the commission on issues of corporate governance, which covers all relevant...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I ask the Leader to make time for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House to discuss the issue of the European Union's position in its free trade negotiations with Colombia. I have discussed this with the Minister, Deputy Martin, and believe he is concerned about it. It is heartening to know that all 12 Irish MEPs have signed a petition asking for the suspension of the free...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: What he thinks about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Absolutely.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It is interesting to note what has come to light in the past 24 hours. On top of everything we know, apparently developers are paying 20% tax on the vast gains and windfalls made through land speculation in the past seven, eight or nine years. Add to that the myriad tax breaks, capital gains tax write offs and other supports available and it is interesting to note what benchmarking was...

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. This is a troublesome issue, as any of us who spent the weekend, or part of it, reading this sickening report knows. I record my appreciation of the work Judge Yvonne Murphy has done on the matter. I know her personally and I am not surprised by her clear, direct and focused approach to the issue. The report was written in a way that...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: What about tax breaks for builders and developers and capital write-offs?

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State and I also welcome the legislation, which I support enthusiastically. I was a member of the first Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and I am a member of the Irish Audit and Accounting Supervisory Authority. I would like to raise a number of issues which I hope the Minister of State will take on board. I concur with Senator Ó Murchú's remarks. The...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: That applies to every semi-State body and for a lesser amount.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It is not.