Results 161-180 of 4,608 for speaker:Joe O'Toole

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I was delighted last night when Senator Boyle stated his party should press to have its legislation passed and that he regretted the fact that there would be no legislation on Seanad reform. It is an extraordinary jump from not being able to reform the Seanad to discussing its elimination. This point needs to be responded to by the Government. I am trying to be helpful, as the Green Party...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Green Party has a clear opportunity to examine how the Seanad can prove helpful and be supportive of national initiatives and ensure the party's business is placed on the agenda and addressed. Although I have raised the next budgetary matter before, it is important that I have my comments recorded. The cut in the national minimum wage was not demanded by IBEC, the Competition Authority...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Government probably did not give the matter enough thought. I will, therefore, offer a suggestion. Blind people and people with sight difficulties experience the added costs associated with maintaining a guide dog. Guide dogs are expensive to look after and feed. There are also veterinary costs. In addition to the support afforded to blind people and people with sight difficulties,...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Will the Deputy Leader manage it?

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: In light of current whisperings from the Cabinet table, do we need to deal with this amendment at this time? Is it superfluous? There is a strong view that Senators will not need to take advantage of free post anymore. Should we go through with the amendment? This facility is provided via registered post and it was put in place in 1937. Communications are required under the Act to be sent...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I recall it well. The Minister made life very difficult for me.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: It has always been registered post and I assumed it was because of a legislative requirement.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: We can offer savings.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I do not have a problem with the amendment, but will the Minister give an indication of the timescale involved in the production of postcodes? How close are we to having them? Will they be based on co-ordinates or random numbering? What system does the Minister favour? I accept that this is not his final decision; therefore, I do not intend to challenge him later if something different is...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I wish to remind the Minister about the issue to which he said he would return on Report Stage, the cost of the universal service, how it might be related to people bidding for sections of it and in what way the various costs might be taken into consideration. We talked about the various items that could be taken into consideration when determining the access charges and the Minister said he...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is much appreciated.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister and I look forward to the responses to the debate. I come at this from a slightly different perspective to that of my colleague, Senator Ross. It is important that he has tabled the motion and that we hold a discussion. I hope the debate will not be on the basis of interruptions and that people deal with the issues. I do not come at this on the basis of issues, but...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: However, there is no support. I watched him dealing with a live press conference one and a half weeks ago. He handled it with style and ability and he knew what he was doing. I listened to him on Newstalk at midday and on the "News at One". I saw him batting in the Dáil this morning. It was one thing after anther. I cannot see anyone better on the opposite side of the House.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Government side is all over the place but it calls on us to have confidence in it. That is the issue. One need not agree, disagree or "Hear, hear" me. That is not the issue. This is about the uncertainty and lack of confidence that the Government side is infusing into the situation, but it calls on us to have confidence. I trust it will begin to get the message about the difficulties...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: That is the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil wants to get rid of.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: How many were in the class?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Reform.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I am pleased Senator Fitzgerald has raised the issue of education. It was also raised yesterday by Senator Cummins. I would like to provide a simple explanation for what has happened. On the last occasion the test was carried out in Irish schools there were particular levels of resources in respect of the provision of special schools and classes, in which children with special needs were...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: -----and it is going to get worse. Teaching and teachers have not changed. However, the outcomes are different for this reason. We provide community-type education, of which everyone is in favour, where all children are educated together in the same classrooms, regardless of whether they have special needs, are of another nationality, from Traveller groups and so on. Previously such...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: Hear, hear.