Results 1,261-1,280 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Lisbon Treaty: Statements (18 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: That is patronising rubbish. It is nonsense.

Seanad: Lisbon Treaty: Statements (18 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I am deeply disappointed with the tone of this debate, apart from Senator's Norris's speech, which was constructive about the way forward. It is extraordinary that we have not had anybody chart the way forward or had an suggestions in that regard.

Seanad: Lisbon Treaty: Statements (18 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: It is not too early. The Minister of State should have thought of it six months ago. It seemed to have been an impossibility to the political parties that this treaty would have been beaten. So arrogant and disconnected had they become, which they admit, that they never conceived that there would be a situation like this. We are bankrupt of ideas about it. That is a terrible reflection...

Seanad: Fuel Prices (18 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I wish to speak about the need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the Government's plans to curtail the increase in the price of diesel fuel in light of the knock-on effect on the consumer price index. I just met a businessman whose business has a small turnover of approximately €10 million per annum. He told me that the increase in fuel prices,...

Seanad: Fuel Prices (18 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I neither accept nor reject his analysis of the reasons for the rise in the price of diesel as against that of other fuels. I just do not know whether what he said is actually the case. There are many disparate reasons for this rise and the Minister of State's assertions, which were certainly given in good faith, may be true. If the Government...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I am prepared to allow Senator Regan time to reply. That would be far more entertaining. Senator Leyden remarked that the European Union has woken up to Ireland. It is about time. Confirmation of the Senator's remarks comes with the encouraging and authoritative report in today's Financial Times under the headline "Tax harmonisation on ice after Irish poll". The crux of the piece is that...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I endorse the call by Senator O'Toole and others for a debate on the economy. The issue of how banks deal with employees was mentioned, but we should examine the extraordinary job they have done in damaging the economy in the last few years. It ought to be realised, if it has not already been, that Irish banks in particular are disgracefully run because they are run for bankers and nobody else.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: They are run for the board and the management. That is why they have been lending recklessly and irresponsibly to people who are now in the sort of misery to which Senator Fitzgerald referred. The banks set themselves extremely undemanding, short-term targets which depend on them lending to people who cannot afford to pay them back. They get their short-term performance bonuses while the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I will finish with another matter which is relevant to the Order of Business and was raised by Senator Kelly. I still maintain that the broadband issue is not appreciated by Members of the Oireachtas. For some time, I was a voice in the wilderness on this matter but I am delighted to hear Members of this House who are now very vocal about it. However, a document was leaked — and I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, that was an aside. A legitimate and authoritative document was leaked to The Irish Times yesterday, stating how well the Government was doing. A very good Green Party Minister is involved in this. The document said the Government was proposing a paper on broadband and that it was somewhere in the Department. This was to give us the impression that something...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: The Deputy Leader should ask his parliamentary colleague if he is prepared to take the Bill I have placed on the Order Paper concerning broadband, if I do not push it to a vote. It contains many of the things of which he and his party approve, as well as many of the things in the leaked document, as a basis for discussion and moving this matter on. We should not just sit back and talk about it.

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: This matter relates to a matter with which I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, will be familiar, namely the need to restore Leinster Lawn to its former glory by restoring it to grass and removing the car park. The Minister will be aware that it was dug up in 2000 and made into a car park. It was probably before his time here but if I am wrong, he can correct me. It was...

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Perhaps he will consider those wider considerations because they are important. The car park is too full at all times. The Minister of State's reply was factually accurate and he gave us a long list of reasons Leinster Lawn has not been re-sown with grass. I do not accept the latest reason. I do not believe it is necessary to take up Leinster...

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: What about ten years?

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: Fifteen years.

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: ——Twenty years.

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: Twenty five years.

Seanad: Leinster Lawn (26 Jun 2008)

Shane Ross: It is disappointing but I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Shane Ross: I join with what everybody said about the Oireachtas family day, which was tremendous. Perhaps we could spare a thought for the ushers who did a tremendous job on that day and are not always appreciated.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Shane Ross: I know the ushers give freely of their time and it could not have been done without them. I am not sure whether I am in total agreement on the need for a debate on the economy. We have had many debates on the economy in this House and if we were very honest about it, I am not sure whether anyone listens to them. Talks are taking place in Government Buildings to which Senator Butler...