Results 1,401-1,420 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: That is not the object of the exercise. What is at issue is rampant, endemic and systemic expenditure in FÁS. To focus on a little incident of the kind referred to would be absurd. Fine Gael was doing very well in concentrating on the board for a long time and that is where it should continue to concentrate. It is unfortunate that the board issued a statement last night indicating that...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I have a question for the Leader. Will he allow the House to address the issue of bank recapitalisation which was raised by Senators Regan and Coghlan? I reiterate Senator Coghlan's point that there is a real danger associated with this form of investment. We are asking the banks to invest in one other. As far as I can see, we are asking for self-investment. We are asking Bank of Ireland...

Seanad: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I am speaking on the need for the Minister for Finance the reassess the decision to cut tax relief on dental treatment from the higher to the standard rate of tax. The Minister of State will be aware what happened in the budget when tax relief was cut by about 50%. There is always a temptation for people to see dentists as earning a great deal of money. In some situations and in certain...

Seanad: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: The Minister's response was predictable. I am doubtful about his figures for 2009 and 2010. The proof will only come when we see the yield. The figures quoted were €120 million in 2010 and €150 million in a full year. If those figures turn out to be wildly exaggerated, which I suspect they will because of the effect of the change, will the Minister of State put it to the Minister for...

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: It has taken a long time to get a debate on FÁS in this House, although it is not for want of trying. It is an indication of an extraordinary reluctance to tackle this monster that those politicians and others who have sought to ask questions, probe, debate and challenge FÁS over a number of years have been frustrated by a lack of information and a lack of political interest or enthusiasm....

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: Instead of that the Minister has said "Good lads, I see you are not going to let it happen again; I am pretty pleased with what you are doing, so off you go." There are at least two members of that board — I do not want to be in any way vindictive — who are deeply compromised and have a lot of explaining to do about their travel. Did the Minister ask them about that or did she just say,...

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: Why can we not have people who know about this area and have a forensic or career interest in it, or a mixture of people with different skills? These guys are members of one club, we all know that. They go up to Government Buildings every few years, cook up some pay deal and then sit back, organising social partnership boards left, right and centre. That is not the only board with the...

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: What is going on with State agencies? This is obviously not the only one which is suffering from these sorts of abuses.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: I support the comments of Senator Coghlan and Senator Fitzgerald about "an bord snip nua". The mind boggles. Why on earth do we need four people who, I suspect, are not quite as eminent as everyone describes them, to recommend to the Government where the cuts should be made? Senator Fitzgerald put her finger on the button. This economy is in crisis and if the Government refers the crisis...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (9 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: The matter I wish to raise is the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide substantial assistance to the people of Zimbabwe during the cholera epidemic. The Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, will be aware of this. This is the third time in 18 months I have raised this matter on the Adjournment. That is about the limit beyond which I am not allowed to go. Each time I raised...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (9 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister of State for his response which I know is genuine and sympathetic. I have a very specific question. Could he give me some assurance and comfort that the Government will make representations on behalf of Jestina Mukoko?

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I am delighted she is here to listen to what Opposition Members have to say in this important debate, which is not necessarily about cuts. Members on both sides of the House understand the need for cuts across the board in public expenditure. There is no problem about that. What amazes me about this particular measure, however, is the...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: The Government could consider two issues, namely, the HSE and the VHI, which it fully owns. What in the name of God has happened to the plans to do something with the VHI? I am tired of discussing it in the House. Will the Government sell all or part of it or make it more efficient? The VHI is not an efficient body. It was a monopoly for a long time and monopolistic traits still survive...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: While I understand cuts, I am opposed to the idea that the elderly should be targeted. I have plenty of suggestions for where else they could be made.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: In light of what has come from all sides of the House today, we should have a debate on social partnership and whether it has served its use and is relevant any more. Senator Alex White touched on the fact that the Taoiseach will meet the social partners apparently to reveal an economic plan before he reveals it to elected and appointed Members of the Dáil and Seanad. This leaves us...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: If the Cathaoirleach will indulge me, I wish to comment on the request for a debate about the banking sector. I was not at this morning's meeting which Senators Quinn, Hanafin and MacSharry attended. However, I watched every moment of it on the monitor. My abiding impression is that the bank representatives have learned nothing.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: They came in with an absolutely prepared script and told lie after lie about what is happening. The small business representatives said they are unable to get money from the banks, while the latter claimed they are doling it out. The two cannot be right.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: I am about to finish. We must decide whether we, as Deputies and Senators, should be treated with that type of contempt by people outside the Houses.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: The previous speaker raised a good point. I would like the Leader to answer a question I asked yesterday, to which I got no answer. There have been some great contributions here today. Senators Donohoe, Hannigan and others said that we should get relevant and talk about last night's interest rate drop in America. Those contributions will be ignored. We will not be granted a debate on...