Results 1,721-1,740 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Confidence in the Taoiseach: Motion (16 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: Does Senator O'Malley not understand that? When she joins Fianna Fáil, she will probably get some other form of patronage, as she has done already. She is one of the beneficiaries of this system. I worry about the Judiciary and the system of appointing judges. If one party is in power too long, there is a danger that judges of a particular political complexion will also be appointed....

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: Like other Members of this House, it is welcome that the Minister for Finance is initiating an investigation into what happened in the Department of Finance in recent years. Further to what Senator Regan said, it is inconceivable that this could happen without the Taoiseach being a key witness and being investigated. Provided this is a genuine investigation into what happened - I believe it...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: For us to say we should not allow them is paternalistic and censorship. Where does one go from there? We would be taking the attitude that we knew better and we knew the issues on which people should vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: It is only one sentence.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: There is nothing wrong with people being influenced in their vote by opinion polls. If they want to get on a bandwagon, let them do so; it is up to them. I cannot understand what we are talking about.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: I wish to address the issue raised by Senators Mullen and Ó Murchú in the past few minutes. It is important that those of us who do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by those in the hierarchy should defend their right to state them. It is difficult to maintain that they should keep their mouths shut because we do not like what they say and it is wrong do so. We should let...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Shane Ross: I have a leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: Yesterday, when the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, spoke to the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, he made a welcome concession on the banking inquiry. In response to a Labour Party amendment he said he would allow the inquiry to move beyond the September deadline, an issue that had been the source of legitimate contention in all parties for a long time. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: -----as a result of the bankers lying about the way the loans had been serviced. If they are to be allowed get away with this, what is the point in having an inquiry, for example, up to the date of nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank on 15 January 2009? If they continue to do exactly the same things, the inquiry will have no effect. I suggest, therefore, that we look more deeply into this...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: We should not tolerate this because, again, the bankers are misleading the politicians.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: I came into the House with my mind made up about how to vote on this Bill and I am now undecided. It is rare for people to say that in this House. I have listened to the Minister and Senators Donohoe and MacSharry. There are two ways of considering this Bill and I am now considering it both ways. One is to say it is the first of three extremely constructive and very important measures...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: That is my point; he is a former Senator from the Fianna Fáil Party. He has a loyalty to a party which we could do without while occupying a crucial position. That is why the appointments were bad. Thousands of people were available and capable, but we had to come up with the ultimate insider in the banking system and an insider in Fianna Fáil. That is why I have problems with the Bill....

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: What percentage of the vote did the Green Party achieve? It is putting its own people in CIE, as well as here, there and everywhere. The people concerned are identifiably loyal to the party. This is a pity and a flaw in the system. The Bill offered us an opportunity to part company with that principle. The Minister outlined the protection given by the Joint Committee on Finance and the...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: I ought to conclude with the one point I really want to make.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: I took rather a long time.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: The Minister addressed the Anglo Irish Bank issue in his interruptions of Senator Donohoe but perhaps he might expand on the issues regarding NAMA he raised at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service yesterday. NAMA's optimistic profit forecast has suddenly turned into a pessimistic loss forecast. Is he satisfied that the banks have been telling lies about the...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: The Minister has given them enough already.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: This is a fine Bill in many ways but section 18CA of Schedule 1, which deals with the membership of the Central Bank commission, badly damages its credibility. We addressed this issue on Second Stage. The most important part of this Bill is the commission and the Central Bank will be judged by its performance and personnel. If a Government ever had an opportunity to act in a new way, this...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: I agree Fine Gael does the same thing, as does the Labour Party. It just happens that Fianna Fáil does it more often because it has been in power longer. The entire State apparatus is in its hands as a result.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Shane Ross: Ten out of ten for performing in Fianna Fáil's own interest.