Results 17,761-17,780 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: The Government could consider two issues, namely, the HSE and the VHI, which it fully owns. What in the name of God has happened to the plans to do something with the VHI? I am tired of discussing it in the House. Will the Government sell all or part of it or make it more efficient? The VHI is not an efficient body. It was a monopoly for a long time and monopolistic traits still survive...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: While I understand cuts, I am opposed to the idea that the elderly should be targeted. I have plenty of suggestions for where else they could be made.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (9 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: The matter I wish to raise is the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide substantial assistance to the people of Zimbabwe during the cholera epidemic. The Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, will be aware of this. This is the third time in 18 months I have raised this matter on the Adjournment. That is about the limit beyond which I am not allowed to go. Each time I raised...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues (9 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: I thank the Minister of State for his response which I know is genuine and sympathetic. I have a very specific question. Could he give me some assurance and comfort that the Government will make representations on behalf of Jestina Mukoko?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: I support the comments of Senator Coghlan and Senator Fitzgerald about "an bord snip nua". The mind boggles. Why on earth do we need four people who, I suspect, are not quite as eminent as everyone describes them, to recommend to the Government where the cuts should be made? Senator Fitzgerald put her finger on the button. This economy is in crisis and if the Government refers the crisis...

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: It has taken a long time to get a debate on FÁS in this House, although it is not for want of trying. It is an indication of an extraordinary reluctance to tackle this monster that those politicians and others who have sought to ask questions, probe, debate and challenge FÁS over a number of years have been frustrated by a lack of information and a lack of political interest or enthusiasm....

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: Instead of that the Minister has said "Good lads, I see you are not going to let it happen again; I am pretty pleased with what you are doing, so off you go." There are at least two members of that board — I do not want to be in any way vindictive — who are deeply compromised and have a lot of explaining to do about their travel. Did the Minister ask them about that or did she just say,...

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: Why can we not have people who know about this area and have a forensic or career interest in it, or a mixture of people with different skills? These guys are members of one club, we all know that. They go up to Government Buildings every few years, cook up some pay deal and then sit back, organising social partnership boards left, right and centre. That is not the only board with the...

Seanad: FÁS: Statements (2 Dec 2008)

Shane Ross: What is going on with State agencies? This is obviously not the only one which is suffering from these sorts of abuses.

Seanad: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I am speaking on the need for the Minister for Finance the reassess the decision to cut tax relief on dental treatment from the higher to the standard rate of tax. The Minister of State will be aware what happened in the budget when tax relief was cut by about 50%. There is always a temptation for people to see dentists as earning a great deal of money. In some situations and in certain...

Seanad: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: The Minister's response was predictable. I am doubtful about his figures for 2009 and 2010. The proof will only come when we see the yield. The figures quoted were €120 million in 2010 and €150 million in a full year. If those figures turn out to be wildly exaggerated, which I suspect they will because of the effect of the change, will the Minister of State put it to the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I agree with Senators Ormonde, O'Toole, Norris and others. I appeal to the Fine Gael Party not to trivialise the issue of FÁS for naked political advantage and turn a very small matter into a very large one.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: That is not the object of the exercise. What is at issue is rampant, endemic and systemic expenditure in FÁS. To focus on a little incident of the kind referred to would be absurd. Fine Gael was doing very well in concentrating on the board for a long time and that is where it should continue to concentrate. It is unfortunate that the board issued a statement last night indicating that...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I have a question for the Leader. Will he allow the House to address the issue of bank recapitalisation which was raised by Senators Regan and Coghlan? I reiterate Senator Coghlan's point that there is a real danger associated with this form of investment. We are asking the banks to invest in one other. As far as I can see, we are asking for self-investment. We are asking Bank of Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Stem-Cell Research (Protection of Human Embryos) Bill 2008: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: With the permission of the House, I wish to share time with Senators Twomey, O'Toole and Quinn. First, I join in the general acknowledgement that this is a very significant debate. I congratulate Senator Mullen, who is indeed carrying on a great tradition in this House. Senator Ó Murchú was very generous when he said that Independents have led the field on issues such as this and Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: It probably is a little late to ask for a debate on FÁS. We should have had such a debate some time ago. The Seanad is particularly strong on post-mortems but not on anticipating or discussing topical issues. However, I ask of the Leader to allow time to address this or an allied subject rapidly. While I welcome the resignation of Rody Molloy, it would be wrong to happily regard him as...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I seek a debate on a somewhat broader matter, that is, the method of political appointments to semi-State bodies.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: FÁS is riddled with political appointment and has been politicised and protected for years. There are signs that the Government again is appointing its cronies to semi-State bodies and State agencies, which simply is unacceptable. This kind of disease will infiltrate, if it has not done, other semi-State bodies and similar situations will arise, although perhaps not on the same scale....

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Shane Ross: I am glad that Senators Harris, Ó Murchú, Norris and others brought up the issue of FÁS and emphasised that a large number of people and projects in FÁS are eminently laudable. The problem is there is an extraordinary disconnect or chasm of difference between those who work on the ground in FÁS and those at the top who are helping themselves to the most exorbitant largesse, which is...