Results 1,581-1,600 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I have heard various reports. I do not believe she was rescued by the army without a shot being fired.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I also find it difficult to believe that her release was negotiated. I am simply making the point that we still do not have all the information. It is another example of how news is manipulated and edited. I call for a debate in this House on neutrality in the context of Zimbabwe. I would like to hear Members indicate what they feel Ireland, Europe and the UN should do. I am certain about...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: When people speak about neutrality, I never know what they mean precisely. I know what it means to me but others have a different view. We must examine the issue of neutrality in the context of Zimbabwe, the good samaritan and so forth.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion (2 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I am delighted to welcome the Minister to the House. In my 21 years in Leinster House I have never learnt anything in political debates on the health area. Anything I learn about the health service I learn through talking to people working in the service or through listening to experts on the radio. I find it very difficult ever to find that middle line and I tend not to involve myself in...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: The point raised about children's legislation is crucial. We need to give it broader consideration. I received a communication from the National Youth Council stating that the recently issued regulations regarding alcohol and young people were put together without consultation with any youth organisations, which is appalling. In addition the matter should be addressed through legislation...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: We need to discuss the matter. I am not putting this in any assertive way to Senator Butler and I do not query his good intentions. However, people need to understand why we need the facts before us this time. I agree we need to share the pain. We should have a view that anybody who speaks in this House should propose a solution that covers everybody. Income and wage restraint are fine....

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, I never made either comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: That is because they announced it before they spoke to the unions.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: On a radio show last Sunday morning I talked to a white Zimbabwean farmer — or Rhodesian farmer, as we would have referred to him previously — who employs 150 people. He spoke about the reign of terror at play there and about the abductions, kidnappings and beatings. He spoke freely and expressed his disappointment at the western world. He talked about Archbishop Tutu asking for...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I wrote to the Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday requesting that the Irish Government take urgent action to protect decent people who are challenging the repressive regime in Zimbabwe.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I would like the House to support that point.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to raise another matter, which has been raised on two or three occasions previously, the question of the economy, competitiveness and wages. It is interesting to stress again a point I have made many times. The issue in question is not only about salaries, pay pauses and all that goes with that. What we set out to do was to ensure that people shared the wealth of this country. The...

Seanad: Prison Development (Confirmation of Resolutions) Bill 2008: Second and Subsequent Stages (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: What about the height of the perimeter wall? The Minister of State said he would tell me why it will be 7.2 m.

Seanad: Prison Development (Confirmation of Resolutions) Bill 2008: Second and Subsequent Stages (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Minister of State tell me he does not know?

Seanad: Prison Development (Confirmation of Resolutions) Bill 2008: Second and Subsequent Stages (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I have already congratulated the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, on his appointment and wish him well. I wish he had different business on hand today than that with which we are dealing. I declare an interest in that the proposed prison will effectively be in my back garden. My views are coloured as a consequence. I have often been asked about my view on the prison. It is very...

Seanad: Prison Development (Confirmation of Resolutions) Bill 2008: Second and Subsequent Stages (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: In the meantime, every document on the prison from the Government needs to have a name.

Seanad: Abbey Theatre: Statements (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to the House. It is appropriate to have these statements on the Abbey Theatre's move. I agree with the viewpoint that the Abbey would be better situated in the centre of Dublin, but I have great sympathy for the viewpoint of the Minister of State and his Department. I happen to know that when a site was selected in Parnell Square not that...

Seanad: Abbey Theatre: Statements (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: Those finances are substantial and sound, which is an accepted, acknowledged and audited fact. It is also recognised that the theatre is totally dependent on the State and the Arts Council, but its finances are in order. Where do we go next? I appreciate the points made by the Minister of State and I agree with him on the system of selecting the best design. I am fearful, however, that...

Seanad: Abbey Theatre: Statements (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I discussed this matter with him on many occasions. The fact that he did not get his opportunity in the Abbey during those years was something that hurt him so often and for so long. As a number of speakers have suggested, the Abbey must be the place for new writing. We should support, acknowledge and appreciate what it has to do. While the Abbey Theatre is not there to make money, its...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jun 2008)

Joe O'Toole: I raised yesterday the whole question of where the economy is going. I called on the Taoiseach to make a statement on the matter. I am glad he made a few points last night. They will be of some assistance as we try to do what needs to be done. I welcome his comments to the business leaders of Ireland, some of whom earn over €1 million a year. He suggested that the lectures they have...