Results 16,861-16,880 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I am not specifically talking about Bus Éireann, but am talking about CIE and Iarnród Éireann. If we are strict about our criteria towards the private sector, which I welcome, we should be equally strict about the criteria for giving licences to those involved in public sector transport. The two main principles of the Bill are that those operating in this area should be of good repute and...

Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I do not say that without great consideration and without experience. Deputy Dooley was on the committee of which I was a member and which certainly cast considerable doubt over the good repute of Iarnród Éireann. I am not talking specifically about safety, although that should be mentioned. The Minister will be aware of the disgraceful incident involving Iarnród Éireann - the Malahide...

Fishing Industry Development: Statements (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Deputy Wallace stretched over to speak to me as I sat down and said he hoped I was not going to pretend that I know a lot about fisheries. I apologise to the House. I will not do that.

Fishing Industry Development: Statements (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Like the Minister.

Fishing Industry Development: Statements (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I am puzzled by one or two issues and perhaps the Minister could help me with the puzzle, in particular the contradiction between the environmentalists and the fishing industry. Both of their arguments seem plausible and the Minister must try to reconcile them. I was briefed on the issue by one Minister who was in the Department. He suggested a few points which are important in terms of the...

Fishing Industry Development: Statements (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: The Minister chairs it.

Fishing Industry Development: Statements (23 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: That is important. I am delighted the Minister has replied to the question. The Minister may have addressed the second point in his opening speech but I did not hear him; it relates to the licensing of bays and whether it is still producing a formidable delay to the development of the fishing industry, in particular shellfish. The big question is one which I cannot resolve but which the...

Written Answers — Banks Recapitalisation: Banks Recapitalisation (22 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Question 122: To ask the Minister for Finance if the July 2011 stress tests carried out by the Central Bank of Ireland were compromised in the following respects: was the quality assurance and peer review process deficient and did it fall below accepted standards with the consequence that assurance cannot be given that the stress tests have been applied consistently in accordance with the...

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I contrast the Government's actions with its words on two issues. When it came into power, the Government handed over political and economic clout where it should have retained it and in another area it retained political power where it should have handed it over. It handed it over on the issue of the EU and the IMF, on which we have sacrificed our sovereignty. However, it retained it...

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: That particular process is, in some cases, being bypassed. Can the Tánaiste, who said these appointments would be made on merit, assure me that a new, transparent system, which will remove these appointees from their political masters so that this does not become a Tweedledum Tweedledee situation, will be put in place?

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I thank the Tánaiste for his response. The problem is that appointments under the new system continue to be former Fine Gael Deputies and candidates and people closely attached to the Labour Party who do not make that declaration when appointed to their positions. It is important that the system is transparent and that there is a declaration. The system must not be a sham. The current...

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: -----the advertisements.

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: What does the Tánaiste intend to do to ensure that the loyalties of political appointees to parties are made transparent to those making the appointments?

Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: A few appointments were made in the past couple of days.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I thank Deputy Finian McGrath for the privilege of being able to sit and listen to his speech before I make mine.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: It is a privilege I had not anticipated before the Chair called him. One could not fault this Bill in and of itself, in that fines and prison terms are being increased and there is an effort to punish in a more severe way those who commit offences against competition law. However, it lacks detection provisions. It is a well known tenet of the philosophy of punishment that detection is...

Written Answers — Third Level Institutions: Third Level Institutions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views that quality assurance is being complied with in Irish third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33343/11]

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I am glad the Taoiseach mentioned the EFSF because I wish to ask him a question about it. The Taoiseach will be aware that in about 25 minutes time Mr. Berlusconi is facing a crucial vote and the focus of Europe is moving from Greece to Italy. We are facing a situation that was unthinkable two or three months ago, the ultimate collapse of the euro. The Government's response to the present...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: I understand what the Taoiseach is saying.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2011)

Shane Ross: In the House of Commons yesterday the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, was asked if the British Government had a contingency plan should the euro collapse. He specifically answered "Yes." I am asking the Taoiseach to do likewise. For understandable reasons, he would not want to reveal the plans, but the people would like to know if the Government has plans in place should this...