Results 341-360 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We should be brave enough to say this and I am prepared to say it to their faces. If I had had a microphone yesterday, I would have gone out and challenged them.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Catholic hierarchy should recognise that, despite what they had said, the Bill was passed without a vote. This shows they are more in tune with the homophobic so-called Christians outside the gates than with the public representatives of the people. That should be a concern for everyone. It would be worthwhile to move them away from the gates, sit them down and read to them the Sermon...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is a welcome relief.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I refer to the story in The Irish Times today on legal fees. I declare an interest in that I am vice chairman of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. The Leader has been involved in this issue since 2002 when he chaired an inquiry into the insurance industry. I have been involved in the issue for many years and the idea is to keep the cost of claims reasonable. We have been fought...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Senators could come over to this side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Indeed they should.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Where is the Seanad reform Bill?

Seanad: Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I supported the Bill on Second Stage, not because I am in favour of a charge for prescriptions but because when the an bord snip nua report was published, I was appalled at the figure of €5 proposed. The position taken by the Minister in the legislation is not unreasonable from that point of view and is a major improvement following the shock we got at that stage. I take on board the...

Seanad: Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: It is not a change to Standing Orders.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill then be taken at 3 p.m.?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: On the point raised by the Leader and my colleague, Senator Norris, during the earlier contretemps, had the House been sitting two weeks ago at least Members would not have had these problems.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: While I am aware of all the external pressures, the Leader will note it was my view at that time that Members should sit and I changed my own arrangements three times to accommodate this. This is the reality in respect of where we are going.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: It is not the issue of the single Bill on today's Order of Business but the fact that over the next two or three weeks, Members face great congestion. I note the Leader shares this view but still it does not make life easier for Members who are trying to organise themselves to deal with the business.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: As for the question of where we are going, Members need to have time in which to tease out matters. This really is the issue and the congested nature of the next ten days will make it highly difficult to do business. On the issue raised by Senator Coffey, I welcome the Government's decision to extend the Luas project and to connect the Luas lines and the entire inner city.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: It is of great importance to take on those people who would wish to push us back into the dark ages. If one considers the points expressed by the United States at the G20 and G8 meetings over the weekend on the importance of maintaining confidence in building and investment projects, this proposal is good in all sorts of ways. Socially, it is highly attractive for the people of Ireland and...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: This has been the most difficult year imaginable for the economy. As Senator Fitzgerald said, families have never found it more difficult to survive and to fight their way through the recession. I am quite appalled by the EUROSTAT food price survey which was released yesterday. It found that at a time when Irish farmers are getting 20 cent a litre for their milk, the lowest price for 40...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: It is time we had a close look at this. I know the Leader sat on a committee which dealt with the whole question of price control and issues such as the groceries order. I do not wish us back in a command economy but if price control is the only way we can get fairness into ordinary trading of food products for ordinary families who are being hit from every side, then it is time we...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I compliment the Minister and his staff on the reduction in the number of road traffic deaths over the last couple of years. It really is a great credit to the Department and to all the other agencies involved. I must declare an interest as I am the vice chairperson of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. The board is issuing its annual report today and it takes a keen interest in...