Results 1,101-1,120 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Joe O'Toole: At a time when politics is at a very low ebb, when there was never so little trust or confidence in the political system, I express my admiration for all those people for putting their names before the electorate and standing out there and standing for something. In welcoming Mr. George Lee for crossing over to our side, I wish to correct some of the wonder about it. Whereas I admire and...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Joe O'Toole: We should recognise that and wish those people well.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Joe O'Toole: We know more about this matter. He does not know anything about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Will the party not consider supporting Senator Norris?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Twomey should go into discussion with Senator Regan to have explained to him the rules on tendering and procurement in Ireland and the EU. Local authorities cannot hand out work willy-nilly without going through procedures. If Senator Twomey is correct, we need to have a debate on it. I am not sure that is the point he is making. The House should acknowledge the launch of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I refer to the cost of unemployment, raised by Senator Twomey. We hear the narrow perspective of people talking about the cost of the dole and redundancy, without any attempt to meet it with a positive, reflective and creative response. The costs of unemployment versus employment must be examined. In certain places, such as Germany, a company with long-term viability but with current...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I ask for a response and to examine creative methods to deal with unemployment other than the dole or redundancy. We can look for companies that will work their way out of difficulties and get support for retaining those workers.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I fully support the points made by Senator Fitzgerald. We asked the Leader for a debate on the economy and the issues in the IMF report last week, and he agreed to find time for it. The Government did not accept the report, which is fair enough, but we should hear all the arguments. A week later we have not discussed it. We now have an ESRI report, which is absolutely shocking. It...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I raised the issue of Shell in north Mayo last week and at the time I was not aware of the full facts of the matter. I want to make clear in this situation that as somebody who have been a constant critic of Shell for more decades than I care to remember and who has been a street protestor all my life, addressed protest meetings, sat on streets and engaged in civil actions against various...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I received a telephone call from a young man during the week. He is a young newly-qualified engineer with a job with a company which got some work from Shell and who is working down there. He spoke of people coming outside his door, blowing horns and intimidating families. It is quite appalling. This idea of balaclava-clad people breaking in and attacking workers is something which I will...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: That is, however, another issue. The fact is that the law is in place. I voted against it and I was outvoted. The Government should take control of this and support the Garda in Mayo whose members are badly used and misused. I want a debate on this issue and that we hear all sides of it. I also hope the two Eamons, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I absolutely agree that we need a debate on the Fine Gael Private Members' motion. It is unfortunate that for obvious reasons we were unable to take it yesterday. I urge the Leader to take it either today or to take two Private Members' motions next week. I think we have time to deal with it today, however, and Members have things to say on that matter. We have been away for the last...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: It is always a sad day when the Tricolour flies at half mast over Leinster House to signal the death of a sitting Member. On this occasion, our expressions of sympathy are to the family of Senator Tony Kett who served in the House for ten years. On behalf of the Independent Senators, I would like to be associated with the comments made by the Cathaoirleach, the Leader and the leader of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I exhort the Deputy Leader to make a statement and bring to the Minister's attention the question of carer's allowance and the preservation of income, rights and supports for carers. The Minister has made a worthy attempt to limit the number of people going to hospital and to establish primary care, with the emphasis on community care, but we should not proceed with those policies, on which...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Deputy Leader not agree that IBEC has today hit a new low with its proposal to attack social welfare, conveniently forgetting, as ever, that it was its members and main funders, the big banks, that led us into most of the trouble we face? Having used every subterfuge, trick and manoeuvre to deprive workers of pay over the last number of months, wherever they could afford to do it,...

Seanad: Economic and Recovery Authority: Motion (1 Apr 2009)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to share time with Senator Feargal Quinn.