Results 1,861-1,880 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Export-led Growth: Motion (19 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I am grateful for this opportunity to speak to this motion. I recognise, as should Members on all sides of the House, despite the amendment tabled, that there is great hope in the export figures we received recently. Whether they were delivered by fluke, design or clever Government measures I am not sure, but they have happened and they are certainly a crutch for the Government in its hour...

Seanad: Export-led Growth: Motion (19 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: Exactly the same happened in Geneva two weeks ago. Exactly the same.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I have been a Member of this House a long time and have never seen government by pantomime but this is government by pure pantomime. I would expect Fianna Fáil in its worst hours to behave as it is doing, by asking, in effect, readying up Ministers to resign and filling those Ministries with others.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: Some years ago I would have expected a little more of the Green Party and I suppose it is no coincidence that the three Members of that party are not here this morning. I imagine they are in another cabal somewhere-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: -----in another part of Leinster House ready to come out and whitewash the Government once again. We were told this morning on the radio that the Green Party was unhappy with what the Government was doing. The Green Party has been unhappy about many things for a very long time but it seems to be able to take some sort of special magic mushroom happy-happy pills which keeps it-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I am going to ask the Leader a question. The Green Party seems to stay on board. It was unhappy, so unhappy in November that it was going to force a general election in January. It was so unhappy last week that it was going to force a general election in March and so unhappy is it this morning that, presumably, it is going to come out and state it has examined its conscience and will allow...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: The Ministers must give a guarantee if they are coming into power that they will not use this very short period simply to appoint cronies to positions of power in semi-State bodies from their locality and from local Fianna Fáil positions.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Leyden for the compliments he extended to me. Unfortunately, I could not hear them over the noise.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I understand Senator Leyden also endorsed Senator Alex White, so I am in good company.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I do not share the kind of self-congratulation expressed by others regarding what is happening in the House. Many previous speakers have got it right: the House can sit until at least 4 May next. We are dancing to the Dáil's tune today. We are being told to pass the Finance Bill. Despite what Senator Leyden said, none of the recommendations put forward will be accepted. The Dáil will...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I am asking him to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I am asking him to order the taking of legislation in this House until 4 May. It is insulting that the House is to be dissolved on the same day as the Dáil. The Green Party should be insisting on their Bills being brought before the House in order that they would be ready for the next Government. Why is it not doing so?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: Fianna Fáil has run rings around the Green Party from the beginning.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I have one more question.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I will be brief. Why is time not being allocated to debate the deal being discussed by Deputy Kenny and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso? Why is the Government not grabbing this deal, given suggestions the penal interest rate could be renegotiated which shows the European Union feels guilty about what it imposed on us? The Government could-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: -----give the guarantees sought on debt if we were to secure a reduced interest rate. Let us debate that matter.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: I trust that was not deliberate. The Minister's speech is a document of shameful surrender. When I hold it up before the House I regard it as a white flag from the Government, which comes to the Seanad having been in the Dáil. It represents the Government's capitulation to Europe and the IMF and it sums up the situation in which the Government leaves the country. It represents an...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: We might swap titles. The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has upbraided me in this House before for referring to this matter. However, the fundamental question is whether this is a disastrous deal that could have been avoided. Are the terms of this deal acceptable or affordable? Will we be able to pay back the money we have promised or accepted in desperation? Why were the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: The Minister of State has woken up at long last. I am delighted. It is about time. I accept that his experiences recently have been difficult but he must realise that it is unlikely that things will remain quiet for long. Where is the Government's corporate tax policy? Why is it not examining the possibility of introducing fundamental tax reforms rather than fiddling with the system that...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Jan 2011)

Shane Ross: Totally impractical because the Government has no imagination. All its members know how to do is to be subservient to Europe and the IMF. The Government is responsible for the----