Results 741-760 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I hope the Minister of State does not encourage him.

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (26 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I should declare an interest. I am the director involved in this situation as a member of an inquiry committee. The real issue for the supervisory authority is a critical one. These are very litigious times. There has not been a week in recent months where a Member of this House has not asked a question about who is carrying out the investigation into this or that latest scandal from...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (26 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: The last consolidation Bill was introduced in 1991 and dealt with in the Seanad for long periods. It would be of benefit if the new consolidation Bill could be introduced in this House where it could be taken more slowly. The people most affected by the Bill will not look at it until the discussion takes place; therefore, it is vital that we do this. We did it in 1991 and it took a lot of...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (26 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to be associated with what the Minister of State has said. I know the work the officials have done on this legislation. I have argued with them over the years and seriously differed with them on many occasions, but I would never doubt their commitment, ability and effectiveness in this area of legislation. The Minister of State and his Department are lucky to have people of such...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It was a political promise.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Since the foundation of the State, the issue of Shannon flooding has been the plaything of different political parties. I recall that Éamon de Valera promised to drain the Shannon 70 or 80 years ago. I introduced a Bill in this House in 1998 with the support of Senators Madeleine Taylor-Quinn and Kathleen O'Meara that was rejected by the Fianna Fáil-led Government. It dealt with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I am at one with previous speakers in welcoming Senator James Carroll's election. However, we would have wished him to be elected through a reformed process, but this is not the time to discuss the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: We welcome him.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Carroll's youth will do much to reduce the average age of Members of the House. To give him a kick-start, going back to his student background, I suggest he might like to raise on the Order of Business today the slowness of the Government in bringing forward the student support Bill which is of such interest to the people he left behind in UCD. I ask him to open with that issue. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Fitzgerald's points are true; we are certainly living in difficult times. People hold different views on the strike, but they should listen closely to what is being said. We should welcome the courageous stance taken in statements by leaders of the public sector unions in recent days. However, it sticks in my throat to hear calls for social solidarity from certain people. Recently...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: He may not want to.

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State and the heavy-hitting advisers he has behind him. I know well their expertise in this area and I have discussed and argued issues with them over many years. I must declare an interest as a member of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. This is an issue of great interest to me. The question of standards in accounting and auditing has to...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: For God's sake.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: We are obliged to raise more money in this way than any other European Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Is this relevant to the Order of Business?

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I acknowledge and welcome the Taoiseach's statement last night on old age pensions, senior citizens and their awards. It is important that the Government explains itself in such situations. The statement relieved many people of their worries and such simple comments are important. In terms of understanding how people feel about the matter, many people have asked me about the day of action...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: There are things which can be done and everybody realises they have to be done. People should move forward. The Taoiseach's statement last night is important and he should follow it with an acknowledgement of his understanding of how people are feeling uncertain about their futures. Everybody works to the limit of his or her salary whether it is small or large. If the amount is being...

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister and this debate. The motion before the House is an appalling one and the amendment is not great either. When a motion welcomes something being done by the Government and an amendment welcomes something being done by Fine Gael, it is very hard for an Independent Member to find the middle ground. I wish to make it clear to the Minister that I want the Green Party to...

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I will not contradict the Minister and I am glad to hear it. That has been suggested to me, but I have not yet seen the Bill. I appreciate the Minister's commitment. I am saying people outside the Green Party also believe this is a really great idea and that it should be pursued. I am sure the Minister would prefer if I did not mention that the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy...

Seanad: ^ Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme: Motion. ^ (18 Nov 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Applicants must give a ten-year commitment.