Results 2,281-2,300 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

EU Summits: Statements (26 Oct 2011)

Shane Ross: Greece is getting a large amount of its debt written off. I am not suggesting-----

EU Summits: Statements (26 Oct 2011)

Shane Ross: -----that we behave dishonourably but we should not go to the tables of Europe week after week to be applauded for crucifying the Irish people at the behest of the people in Europe. That is not where the interests of the Irish people lie. The interests of the Irish people lie in the Taoiseach, Deputy Kenny, and the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, coming back and saying we have respect...

Minority Faith Schools (26 Oct 2011)

Shane Ross: This is an issue which has come up on several occasions in recent budgets because of the fears of minority religions that the education of pupils in their particular ethos has been threatened by budget cuts or other cuts in the past. The Minister will be aware that their fears were realised by his predecessor, Batt O'Keeffe, not very long ago. At this time of year it is appropriate that...

Minority Faith Schools (26 Oct 2011)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister for his response. I ask him to elaborate on his statement that there are no changes proposed in respect of the Protestant block grant. Does that mean there will be none? Is that a pledge or just the current position? In other words, does that mean it will not happen and that we can reassure the Protestant community and those of a different ethos that this will not...

Minority Faith Schools (26 Oct 2011)

Shane Ross: It is €4 billion.

Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Oct 2011)

Shane Ross: It is appropriate that we frequently debate the role of the Central Bank, even though, unfortunately, it is presented to us in piecemeal form by a series of financial Bills giving it greater powers in limited areas. I say this because nobody is more responsible for the banking crisis than the former Financial Regulator and the Central Bank. Without their role in the financial crisis, in...

Leaders' Questions (2 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: It is fair to say that nobody in this House blames the Government for the situation in which it finds itself today vis-À-vis the bondholders. The Government was elected with a mandate to choose to remedy the situation or to repudiate the last Government's agreement on this. It has decided to do neither. It has decided to go down exactly the same road that was adopted by the last...

Leaders' Questions (2 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Yes. The straightforward option was to tell the bondholders the Government would not pay. The second option was to instruct the bank to embark on a buy-back campaign at a price of 60 cents or higher. Why did he not do so given that he would have saved the taxpayer a fortune?

Leaders' Questions (2 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: As I did not hear the final part of the Taoiseach's reply, I apologise in advance if I ask a question he has already answered. I do not accept the premise that we must seek the permission of the European Central Bank for everything we do, particularly in areas such as this. Did the Taoiseach consult the ECB about a buy-back of Anglo Irish Bank bonds and if not, why not given that a buy-back...

Developments in the Eurozone: Statements (Resumed) (2 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: When I watch debates like this and when I hear the advice like that given today to Mrs. Merkel, Mr. Trichet and other such people, I sometimes wonder whether they will hear it, let alone take it. I tend to see this debate in a narrower context and hope that we can ask the questions and have our words heard by the Ministers here, who will then carry them to Europe. I ask what can Ireland get...

Developments in the Eurozone: Statements (Resumed) (2 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: That word was used as well. It is time the Government thought in a radical way that is not part of Europe "think".

Written Answers — Family Support Services: Family Support Services (2 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Question 460: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her vision for the future of the family resource centre programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32404/11]

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I am glad the Taoiseach mentioned the EFSF because I wish to ask him a question about it. The Taoiseach will be aware that in about 25 minutes time Mr. Berlusconi is facing a crucial vote and the focus of Europe is moving from Greece to Italy. We are facing a situation that was unthinkable two or three months ago, the ultimate collapse of the euro. The Government's response to the present...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I understand what the Taoiseach is saying.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: In the House of Commons yesterday the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, was asked if the British Government had a contingency plan should the euro collapse. He specifically answered "Yes." I am asking the Taoiseach to do likewise. For understandable reasons, he would not want to reveal the plans, but the people would like to know if the Government has plans in place should this...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Therefore, there is no plan B.

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views that quality assurance is being complied with in Irish third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33343/11]

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Finian McGrath for the privilege of being able to sit and listen to his speech before I make mine.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: It is a privilege I had not anticipated before the Chair called him. One could not fault this Bill in and of itself, in that fines and prison terms are being increased and there is an effort to punish in a more severe way those who commit offences against competition law. However, it lacks detection provisions. It is a well known tenet of the philosophy of punishment that detection is...

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I contrast the Government's actions with its words on two issues. When it came into power, the Government handed over political and economic clout where it should have retained it and in another area it retained political power where it should have handed it over. It handed it over on the issue of the EU and the IMF, on which we have sacrificed our sovereignty. However, it retained it...