Results 17,501-17,520 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Shane Ross: In view of what was said today in the House, perhaps we should hold a debate on cronyism. I do not mind which Minister attends because they are all at it. Perhaps it would be appropriate that the debate on State agencies and semi-State companies should highlight the extraordinary curse of cronyism in this country. What has been said by Senators on both sides is perfectly fair. Both of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: I endorse what Senator Hannigan said about the student support Bill. Many of us have already been lobbied this morning about that in Buswell's Hotel. The Leader of the House might be able to tell us where the Bill is and what is happening to it. I think it is sitting somewhere in Merrion Street and has been for two years. The least the students should get is some indication of when it...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: I endorse what many have said about the issue of employment being so important at present. It has been highlighted, as everybody will be aware, by the spat between the chief executive of Ryanair, Mr. Michael O'Leary, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan, in the past few days. If one could put the theatricals aside for a minute, Mr. O'Leary has...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: -----as to the role of the DAA. Is it actually obstructing jobs? Is it a politically-appointed body with a board which does very little which has for long served the interests of Fianna Fáil? Can we do something about that in this House-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: -----immediately and debate the issue, not so much of general employment but of the role these two semi-State bodies are playing in obstructing jobs?

Seanad: Youth Unemployment: Motion (10 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: I wish to share time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Youth Unemployment: Motion (10 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: There is no quick fix to this problem. One of the gloomy results of debates such as this is that people offer peripheral answers to a fundamental problem. Unemployment has spiked at a level that is quite uncontrollable. The Government, like everybody else, has been taken by surprise. The spike in unemployment cannot be solved by a short-term solution. In the 1980s, mentioned by Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: In view of the fact that the issue of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and junkets has arisen, I wish to make a statement. I have a vested interest in that I was the author of the story that appeared in the Sunday Independent. I should say that before saying anything else. The Central Bank of Ireland, perhaps above all institutions of the State, should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: Yes I have. It is damaged by the emergence of these issues, but it is rightly damaged. It is right that these things should emerge. In light of what has happened in recent days, I ask the Leader of the House for a debate, not only on the powers but also on the behaviour of the Central Bank of Ireland. These are the guys who were so close to the banks that they did not regulate them...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: My final question for the Leader is as follows. In order to allow us to debate the matter perhaps we should even bring in and interview the new Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, who is so accessible, to ask him——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: ——what he intends to do about the blatant overspending in the Central Bank of Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: Will the Leader ask the Taoiseach to come before the House at the earliest possible opportunity? In view of the debate at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party which took place last night and about which a number of newspaper reports appeared this morning, it appears the Taoiseach is still a prisoner of the Department of Finance. The extraordinary episode we are witnessing with regard to...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: There is no mention of bonuses.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: The bonuses are not included.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: Enniskerry.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: Jekyll and Hyde.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Shane Ross: More Jekyll and Hyde.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator Quinn for sharing time and congratulate Senators Norris and O'Toole on tabling this motion. It appears the only place there is any real enthusiasm for change is on these benches. I should remind Members that I was first elected to this House in 1981. The first thing I did when elected was table a motion seeking Seanad reform. People shook their heads at me and said, "You...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Shane Ross: That is exactly what they said and they were right. In the past two sessions I was very privileged to sit in the Cathaoirleach's Chair before he did, and on both occasions I made a plea for some kind of Seanad reform which fell on deaf ears. A series of committees were set up since then, the purpose of which is not to advance Seanad reform but to delay such reform. The committees were put...