Results 1,361-1,380 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (31 Jan 2006)

Michael Ring: Question 557: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the tender date for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo being passed, when the building phase will commence. [3298/06]

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Small shops are being wiped out by big business, which has the ear of Government. Recently at the Galway Races big businesses went into the tents and got their way because the Minister gave in as he did a long time ago. Dunnes and Tesco control most of the market now. Not long ago we had no Sunday shopping. Now we have shopping seven days a week and 24 hours a day. People used to say England...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: We saw what happened when Deputy Fiona O'Malley's father was a Minister and big business gave millions of euro to taoisigh of this country and did not even miss it. Do not talk to me about big business. I know how big business operates here. Were the Deputies ever at the Galway races?

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: They should go and see how big business operates. Big businesses need not go to the TD clinic but can go to the Galway races with their cheque books and have legislation changed. That happens and there is nobody to protect the small man, not even Deputy Martin Brady, who does not count because he is not in the Cabinet.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Deputy Martin Brady should watch his own seat. I do not say he will lose his seat but according to a recent opinion poll 17 Fianna Fáil seats will be lost. Some small business people are waiting for the election. These multinational stores are coming into Ireland and wiping up. I welcome competition, but it must be fair. The concept of "hello money" did not begin in the supermarket business...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Dunnes or Tesco should not put on special offers in a small rural town because they want to close down a few rural shops. If Dunnes or Tesco put on offers they must do so throughout the country and they must be fair, and not just target the people they want to put out of business. Rural Ireland will have no rural schools, Garda stations or shops and if the planners get their way we will have...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Although Dublin has the best roads and cars people cannot drive them anywhere because they are in traffic jams for two or three hours every day. If that is what the Government wants to offer, good luck to Fianna Fáil but the people will soon speak. If the Competition Bill was introduced by anybody other than the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, I would be happy....

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: I was glad to see him there. I ask the Minister of State to take a message to the Minister. If we are to have no barriers or protection for the small people then let us have open competition. There is no point bringing this legislation through the Dáil if we will not put an inspectorate in place. How many people have been prosecuted for overcharging, below-cost selling or failing to have...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: It has been polluted by the Progressive Democrats which is taking over. Fianna Fáil was once the party for everybody but is now the party for big business. Its attitude is "to hell with the small man or woman". God help the Fianna Fáil Deputies because there are more small men and women in this country than big business people.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: The Deputy is attacking the small man again, not the big fellow.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway did not receive a bed for two weeks under the winter initiative scheme for the elderly when they required full time care and attention. [3400/06]

Written Answers — Rural Social Scheme: Rural Social Scheme (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Question 284: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not allowed to go back on the rural social scheme. [3472/06]

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Question 288: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the single farm payment. [3513/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (1 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: Question 323: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a reply was not given by him when a simple question (details supplied) was asked on 25 January 2006; if he will now provide a breakdown of what was paid to each county and each county council in 2005 in relation to performance awards for the local government sector; and if it is taxpayers' money...

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: The dictators are at work. We do not need legislation.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: I have a very simple question for the Tánaiste and I know she will have the answer. Many fellows on the Government benches with new suits on them for the past three weeks want to put them away for Christmas next year.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: When will the Tánaiste fill the position available in the junior ministry? I have been talking to these fellows and noted they are all excited and want to know when they can put the suits on again.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: We are not talking about the doping of dogs——

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: ——but about appointing a Minister of State. When will the Tánaiste appoint the Minister of State? I ask because there is such a mess in the Department of Transport since Deputy Callely left. He was over the biggest swimming pool in Dublin.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael Ring: The current Minister is costing us €500 million.