Results 18,121-18,140 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I echo the tributes paid to people here and in Northern Ireland following the extraordinary agreement reached yesterday between the two largest parties. One or two individuals were not singled out for their contribution to this amazing achievement over the years. One of the sad results of yesterday's agreement is that many of the moderates have been sidelined. Whereas the extremists may...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I will speak of more mundane matters. I seek a debate on an issue which is presumably dear to everybody in this House, namely, planning matters. A recent case highlighted in the press reached a new low. In County Wicklow a farmer objected to the erection of two new windows by a man in a house on the grounds the sheep might be looking in.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: No, it was sheep.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: It is possible cows may have got through but they were not included. This appeal was sustained by An Bord Pleanála and when the houseowner offered to put in reinforced glass it was also turned down by the planners.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: Exactly. It was not in the interests of the sheep or the cows. We have reached a ridiculous point in planning. Planners, particularly An Bord Pleanála, should be accountable to someone, perhaps this House. This is not the only case of animals being more important than humans in planning matters. I wish to raise another, perhaps more serious, issue which was already discussed by Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: Employers behave extremely irresponsibly on this matter. The Irish Business and Employers Confederation is an apologist for the food industry which has raised prices to an unforgivable level. This should not be allowed and should be investigated. Employers also behave irresponsibly with regard to banks and credit cards and this is another area which should be examined. It contributes to...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I wish to raise a matter that has been raised in the House many times previously and is particularly topical this week, namely, the situation in Zimbabwe. I congratulate the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, who has already protested about the unrest and the deprivation of human rights there. However, the situation is now becoming critical. All Members will be aware the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I see no reason the Minister and the Government should not go on a solo run to make that protest, and not simply within the EU. Ireland has an honourable record on the issue of human rights and should capitalise on it. In recent times, events there have been particularly ugly and apart from the action by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, international reaction has been disappointing. One...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: Members are aware that he has fiddled his own elections to keep himself in power and that he is torturing opposition to him. It would be honourable for Ireland, as an independent nation, to make a meaningful protest on this issue.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I am glad Senators Paddy Burke and Wilson have opened the batting to make this a somewhat more contentious debate than it looked like it would be judging by the less controversial nature of the Bill. To state, as Senator Wilson did, that it is time for us all to be positive about what is happening on our motorways represents naivety in the extreme. I suggest that Senator Wilson should go to...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: The Minister is very good at interrupting.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I had to listen to the Minister speaking on "Morning Ireland" telling a whole pack of——

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I am sure part of that language is unknown to this House.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I am glad the Minister has kept his cool temperament as always.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I had to listen to the Minister the other day on "Morning Ireland" when asked a question on a demand management report which is being done on the M50. In characteristic ebullient style he did not answer the question. What is happening on the M50 is a piece of sleight of hand and it very cunning. It is purely and simply designed to pacify an enraged electorate. That is the reason I pointed...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I will sit down while the Minister interrupts.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: I thank the Chair.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: One could never rile the Minister, he is a picture of calm and sobriety all the time. It is not a problem. The difficulty about what I had to listen to from the Minister that day was this: it is all very well coming out with fanfares and sending one's press office with messages to the media that he was going to open the West Link toll bridge, which he did last January and again in recent...

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: The Minister is writing out a cheque for almost €1,000 million for this already.

Seanad: Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Mar 2007)

Shane Ross: The Minister is.