Results 921-940 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I wish to add to the remarks made. In particular, I single out for mention the officials present and the other officials involved. This is very complex legislation in terms of the way in which it deals with very technical, social, political, financial and cultural matters. I hope we have found the balance. The Minister has listened to all the points of view and fairly met our arguments....
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on the Bill, which is fine legislation that will have a significant impact. I rise to discuss the same issues raised by my colleague, Senator O'Reilly. I have a few searching questions and I would appreciate the Minister taking the time to give a correct answer. I note the amendment put forward by Deputy Simon Coveney in the other House and I...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Which amendment is that? I am a little confused.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: No, that is under group 4.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I apologise for interrupting the Senator but I believe that issue is dealt with in the next group.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: That is dealt with in group 4.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I am not sure how we are doing our business. We have now finished group 3 but we have not agreed them.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Then we go through all of them again.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: What are the rules of this debate?
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: One input on each group. When we go back over the amendments can people start talking again? We will be here all night.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister for responding to my worries about taking the interests of children into account. I deeply appreciate his doing that. It raises an issue that perhaps he might answer. First, it is hugely important that the interests and vulnerability of children and their exposure to undue commercial exploitation are taken into account. It is really important that this can now be...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I certainly welcome the changes, particularly those to sections 43 and 44 to allow for religious broadcasting. Not allowing it was a case of liberalism gone too far in the wrong direction. Tolerance should be the issue. I have never seen the democratic process or free will undermined by allowing religious advertising. Not allowing it was a step too far. If a church wants to spread its...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I am not sure whether Senator Walsh attended a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when Mr. Cathal Goan gave a perfect example of how to do it properly. He simply stated that income had dropped by â¬70 million and presented the business plan for the year. In other words, he balanced the books and that is what it is about. There are three...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I spoke at length on this issue on Second and Committee Stages. I welcome this very much and it has been long in coming. People were trying to make the case that there were copyright reasons it could not be delivered whereas it can be delivered by set-top boxes or cards. I live all of 17 miles away from here and I do not have broadband in my house. The only way I can get it is through...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: Luaigh mé an rud seo go minic cheana nuair a bhà an ábhar seo á phlé sa Seanad. Tá mé an sásta go bhfuil seo curtha isteach sa Bhille seo mar tá daingniú ann go bhfuil jab ar leith le déanamh ag TG4. An rud is tábhachtaà ná go mbeidh tuiscint ag daoine go bhfuil i bhfad nÃos mó ag baint le TG4 seachas broadcasting alone agus go bhfuil morán comharsanachtaà timpeall na...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I take a different view. I have the same view on digital terrestrial broadcasting as I had on phone masts in 1990 - it is utterly unnecessary. We should have been doing all this by satellite since then and we would not have all these rows about masts all over the country. A satellite system would also have been cheaper. With regard to the â¬40 million spent, we should write it off as a...
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I agree the collection methods are outmoded. I ask the Minister, as I have many times, to take an example from most of Europe, which has the simple system of an audiovisual tax on every single house unless one opts out - anyone can opt out if he or she does not have a television or audiovisual equipment. The cost of collecting the licence fee constantly annoys me because it is inefficient....
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: I want to clarify whether we are discussing group 23 plus my amendment.
- Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (30 Jun 2009)
Joe O'Toole: We can discuss that first and then decide about the other amendment. I do not understand what is happening in the case of amendment No. 291. While I could be completely wrong and will listen carefully to the Minister's response, and I will hold my amendment until we know the position, it seems this goes somewhat against the spirit of the EU. I will put a simple question. In terms of our...