Results 5,981-6,000 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The Government has run the economy into the ground. The people are waiting outside for the Deputies on the Government side. I would like to say a few things about this House. While the Ceann Comhairle and I have had our differences, I have to say he has been one of the best Chairs during my time in this House. I regularly have to write to the Ceann Comhairle when Ministers and Ministers...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: I remind the Minister of State that some of the recent tribunals, such as the beef tribunal, would not have been needed if Ministers from his party had answered questions.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: It has a lot to do with the debate.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: Am I right in saying that in one instance, the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, did not even read his brief when it was given to him? Is that correct?

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: He did not even read his brief, even though we are paying him over €100,000.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The smart alec could not read his brief.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: We paid millions for a report that the Minister for Finance did not even read.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: He would not read his brief. He was not able to tell us what was in his brief.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The Minister of State has lectured Fine Gael tonight about the motion we tabled this week.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: He should not lecture us. We have had enough lectures from Fianna Fáil. Ministers and Ministers of State will not answer the questions asked by the Members of this House. Deputy Stanton is quite correct to point out that both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are frustrated with the way this House is operated.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: He had his shot. I just want my shot.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The Taoiseach does not even appear in this House on Thursdays. He thinks it is far more important to open pubs in County Offaly, just as the Minister, Deputy Harney, once thought it was appropriate to use a helicopter to go to County Leitrim to open a off-licence.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: Ministers will not come into this House to answer questions. I emphasise to the Minister of State that this country needs reform. We want the political system to be reformed so that the Taoiseach and his Ministers and Ministers of State are accountable to this House, rather than to interests outside it. That is necessary if the scandals that have plagued this House are not to be repeated....

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The Green Party has said it agrees that there are too many Ministers of State. I understand that some of them have offered to resign, on which I compliment them.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: Some of the Fianna Fáil Ministers of State have offered to resign too. We need a debate on the reform of this House, which cannot continue to operate as it has over recent years. Some years ago, I went to the High Court to fight the decision to abolish the dual mandate. I was annoyed that Fianna Fáil had chosen to take that decision from the people. The Chief Whip, Deputy Pat Carey —...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The message we will send out is that we understand they are suffering and paying their taxes and that we accept there are too many Ministers of State.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: I hope the Taoiseach will heed that message next week by doing the correct thing.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: The people on the ground are sick and tired of the way we are behaving. Ministers of State have programme managers and assistants. They have six or seven secretaries in their offices doing constituency work. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, knows it is not right. We cannot afford it any longer. We need to do something about it. We should lead by example. We should send a...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: I will table a question for the Minister of State next week.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Michael Ring: I will find out exactly how much he is costing the taxpayer.