Results 15,681-15,700 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I am not asking about the journalist. I am asking if there is a pattern of this information coming into the public arena from someone with an agenda.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: Correct.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I am not asking about conspiracy theories. I am asking him whether he thinks there is a pattern of somebody trying to damage the Committee of Public Accounts.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: There is no evidence that it is coming from a particular source or that there is an agenda.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I am finished.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy McGuinness for responding to the request to have an open meeting to answer questions from members of the Committee of Public Accounts. Like Deputy Harris, I would like to preface my remarks by saying he has been an extraordinarily good Chairman. There has been no indication that he has held back or had any political bias. He has been an independent Chairman and I have no...

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I have a view on this which I could state unambiguously. I do not think there are any circumstances, bar one or two specified ones-----

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: The Taoiseach would be one. I do not think any Ministers should have any spouses travelling with them at the State's expense. I do not think there is justification for that. Maybe the Taoiseach, in exceptional circumstances, should be able to do so. The President should probably also have the right. They are the only exceptions I can think of. I include the Tánaiste. I cannot see...

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: Is it Deputy McGuinness's?

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: The Deputy could be more specific. The term "exceptional circumstances" is pretty vague.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I accept that.

Public Accounts Committee: Statement by Chairman (13 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I accept it is an opinion. It is important that the committee can establish that the Deputy's opinions are consistent with the purpose of this committee, which is to save taxpayers' money. That is what I am trying to establish.

Topical Issue Debate: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (11 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister of State for his reply which is full of aspiration and provides no comfort whatsoever, except fine words, about what the Government would like to do and how it recognises the ethos and the difficulties of the Church of Ireland schools and other schools. This train has already left the station in that Kilkenny College has already opted to go into the public sector and...

Topical Issue Debate: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (11 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: I wish to share time with Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

Topical Issue Debate: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (11 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: And we have one minute for a reply.

Topical Issue Debate: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (11 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: As many others in this House have done, I represent some very unhappy parents and children in fee-paying schools. They are unhappy because they see the pupil-teacher ratio being raised to 23:1 in September, with the intention of another increase - possibly to 27:1 - by 2015, and because they see themselves as victims of an ideological policy that makes no sense and a Labour Party plan, based...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (11 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: 246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the projected extra cost to the Exchequer of Kilkenny College in 2013/14 when it will be State funded excluding boarding fees; if he will detail what is to happen to the teachers employed in excess of the set pupil teacher ratio of 19:1; if he will outline any capital costs including liability for loans taken out by Kilkenny College; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (11 Jun 2013)

Shane Ross: 245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full cost to the Exchequer of Kilkenny College in 2012/13 while it was a fee-charging school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26806/13]

European Council: Statements (29 May 2013)

Shane Ross: In response to the Minister of State, I want to ask him about these two US Senators who have made this statement that we are a tax haven. I would agree with him. I would have thought these are two mavericks who are having a go and being irresponsible. In that light, perhaps he could respond as to what is official United States policy about our corporate tax rate and corporate tax...

European Council: Statements (29 May 2013)

Shane Ross: This European Council meeting was billed as a co-ordinated effort against tax evasion to attack tax dodgers throughout the world. The Taoiseach was highly unfortunate in that the day before he travelled, he was ambushed from the United States. Moreover, when United States Senators Carl Levin and John McCain made their comments, at least one of them accused Ireland of being a tax haven....