Results 181-200 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: On a point of order, perhaps we need to paper over the cracks between Members on the Fianna Fáil side who were having a go at each other and wasted considerable time during the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Senator Mooney and Senator White—

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The last point raised by Senator Brian Hayes could be dealt with in an early debate on the new programme, Sustaining Progress, which deals with housing. It also contains a proposal agreed by Government to introduce new legislation on rented accommodation and the rights of tenants. It would be helpful to have such a debate. We also need to look specifically at the needs of first-time buyers...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: We need the River Shannon Council Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Even Patrick Pearse managed to have a photograph taken of his profile.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: We did not discuss the proposals and I support the Senator's call.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Fáiltím roimh an Aire. I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate. This issue should be on the agenda on a regular basis. From my perspective, the support structures for the west, in particular, have been disimproving. I listened to Senator Kitt and I am well aware of the excellent points he raised. Under the National Roads Authority's plans, during the course of the...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: One cannot do a full day's work in such places as the last train departs before 6 p.m. in most cases – I think the last train from Cork leaves at about 7 p.m. Such a timetable is ridiculous in this day and age, as it means expensive infrastructure lies idle. It should not be allowed to continue. This country would gain a great deal from investment in conference facilities in attractive...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It is time for the west to wake up and stop tolerating being treated like second-class citizens by people who never have to travel in such poor conditions. I have raised the importance of broadband infrastructure on many occasions. I am glad that the Minister is taking lessons on the development of e-government. I compliment the Government on the fact that it expects to run Cabinet meetings...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: We will do that.

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I was one of the people who asked for this debate and I believe it is important that people give of their own experiences in the discussion. One of the problems in recent times is that commentators have been almost universally wrong. We should not listen to economists. Every economist who speaks should be literally gagged. Most of the main names...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Is my time up, just like that?

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I was just about to start my second paragraph.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: On two occasions last year, I raised the question of the function of auctioneers and how they operate. I suggested that the House should look at the way they do business, their duties and their responsibilities. On both occasions, I received strong support from all sides of the House and Members felt that something should be done. There should be a discussion on how this profession might be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to raise a technical matter. When the Leader was outlining the Order of Business she said Nos. 1 to 4 would be taken without discussion and distinctly did not say Nos. 5 to 8 would be taken without discussion.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The Leader corrected herself later. I do not accept that arrangement. I have no desire to speak on any of the issues, but we previously made it clear that, for the sake of efficiency, items being sent to committees should not be the subject of debate. That is how the House has operated but that was always on the basis that when a matter came back from a committee, Members who might believe it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: The fifth of the papers laid before the Seanad, which are listed on page 164 of the Order Paper. The Government kindly incorporated, with the support of all sides in the Dáil, a provision into the Finance Bills of 2001 and 2002 which allows Members of the House who, for principled reasons, could not accept a pay increase to waive it. I ask the Leader to obtain details from the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: This is a serious issue. I do not want people taking cheap shots in public at those of us who accept the money. Over the weekend, the Laffoy commission started running advertisements encouraging people to send in details of their happy stories and good experiences of institutions. This situation has gone completely off kilter and this latest campaign designed to accumulate happy recollections...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: It is a matter of principle for many people.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.