Results 2,841-2,860 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I join the Taoiseach and Deputy Kelleher in condemning the vile murder of Mr. David Black in Northern Ireland and I express my sympathy to his family. This does not represent a return to the dark ages, but it is a horrible reminder of things that happened here a decade or so ago. No one in this House has any truck with that sort of activity. The message should go out loud and clear from...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: My question about banking pensions is a follow-on from the Taoiseach's comments. When the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, said he could do nothing about it, legally and technically he was correct. It would be interesting if the issue faced a challenge in the courts. If we cannot do anything about the past, why can we not do something about the current situation? Three prominent...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: There should be a no tolerance policy for these salaries. I am sure the Taoiseach is aware, as is the Minister for Finance, that Mr. Boucher is paid nearly four times the salary of the Minister for Finance and over three times the salary of the Taoiseach. That is not making a judgment on the Taoiseach's salary, but it tells us a lot about what these people receive. These are rewards for...

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister for his reply but I am afraid that, while there is nothing in it which is inaccurate or in error, it does not address the main kernel of the motion. The purpose of this motion was deliberately and calculatedly to look at the advantages, pensions and lump sums that people at the very top, including ourselves, receive from the State. I make this point in the context of the...

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: The problem with debating that particular subject in this House is that Members are judges in their own case. The people perceive the Dáil, the Seanad, Ministers, ex-Ministers, Deputies and Senators to be deciding that their own pay should be decided in this House. Even if they are not deciding precisely what is their own pay, they, including the Minister, possibly are deciding what...

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: Yes. That is perceived to be wrong. I suggest that perhaps there are ways out of this. As Opposition Members always are accused of not making constructive suggestions, I wish to so do. Why not take it out of this House completely and utterly in order that all these matters-----

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: The Minister should wait for one minute. He should stop interrupting for a minute.

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: As the former Deputy McDowell said to the Minister on a television programme recently, his great forte is interrupting.

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: It is the Minister's only great forte.

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: Would the Minister mind not interrupting me?

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: It is the Minister's great forte and he should keep going.

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I will allow the Minister the floor if he wants.

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I thank the Acting Chairman. I suggest that ordinary citizens be brought into this process. Those people who give Members the moral authority to rule in this House and make decisions of that nature should be brought into the process in the way they are brought into a jury system. They could then decide what Members are worth and specify the amount they would give to Members. I neither...

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I do not suggest the setting up of an independent body full of political appointees. Instead, 12 ordinary citizens, men and women should be chosen. The Minister should not laugh because that is the way in which juries are set up.

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: Such a body should decide how this should be done because it is most important that the moral authority of this House be preserved and respected. However, the moral authority of this House is not accepted at present because Members are perceived to be behaving in a particular manner and to be accepting the sort of wages, salaries and pensions they also allow bankers to have. How can...

Pensions and Retirement Lump Sums: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: However, he should not allocate large lump sums to retiring Deputies and Ministers, which they do not deserve and which they have done absolutely nothing to merit. While Opposition Members are accused of being populist, on this subject the public is absolutely correct.

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I join the Taoiseach and Deputies Martin and Adams in expressing sympathy to the family of Savita on the tragedy that happened at Galway University Hospital. Last year the Government courageously decided to hold a referendum on judicial pay and conditions, which was passed by the electorate with a large majority. That was a good start to reforms, which, I suggest, are now necessary in a...

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: I thank the Taoiseach for promising discussions. Of course, as the Taoiseach will understand, I am looking for more than discussions, because this is a serious matter. It is quite obvious that the opaque way in which judges conduct their business is not open to any public scrutiny. Judicial reform is important. The Taoiseach will be aware that I am alleging no misconduct in this case....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Meetings (14 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of meetings he has had with the Public Interest Directors of the banks, individually and collectively, since he became Minister for Finance; the dates of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50429/12]

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Nov 2012)

Shane Ross: There is a wonderful musical at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre called "Anglo: The Musical". It sums up the problem of Ireland, its relationship with Europe and a possible solution far better than the Taoiseach's speech. There is not much point in the Taoiseach saying the only item on the agenda is the multi-annual budget. That is not the only item on the agenda of Europe today. The...