Results 18,201-18,220 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: First, I wish to take up a point made by Senator Ó Murchú regarding this plan. He divided it in a quite interesting fashion, namely, into the past and the present. He stated that this debate was a recognition of the great success enjoyed by the Government in the past and I believe he referred to it as being a celebration of the future. While I agree with the first statement I do not agree...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: ——that has been taken up at a timely point in the electoral cycle. An aspect of such plans with which I have difficulties is that they are built on certain assumptions, none of which can be taken for granted. I gather that this plan is based on the assumption that Ireland will achieve an average growth rate of 4.5% for the next eight years. While I do not know the source of this...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Senator Mansergh is also a great disciple of the social partners.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Senator White is correct. One of the social partners, ICTU, wishes to increase it to 20%.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Even the Labour Party does not wish to do this. It is the only split we can identify between it and its brethren. However, it is important. Why must we continuously refer to the strong men of old Ireland when the boom comes from new Ireland? It is significant the Minister referred to social partnership. By this he means trade unions because IBEC does not matter but must be included to...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Senator Mansergh does not need it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Do not bring him back.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Without much apology to the Minister of State or the House, I find this Bill particularly unsatisfactory. I am astounded there has been so much fuss for so long about a Bill of this nature; it is the emperor in new clothes. The reaction to it demonstrates political cowardice. There is a refusal to confront the reality that it will not address the problem. It is a snow job, a smother....

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: That is what always happens. They will be re-appointed and, with any luck, by a different regime from Senator Leyden's. That is the pattern of experience with consumer agencies. As an example, I will mention IFSRA, the great god of consumer agencies, which issues press releases almost every day to say what a great job it does and to issue warnings, as it did this morning about equity...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Some time ago Independent Senators tabled a motion which was agreed by the House and which resulted in a commission on auctioneering being established.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: The commission reported approximately two years ago, following which legislation was supposed to be introduced. Can the Leader of the House say is the status of that legislation? What programme is proposed and will it be forthcoming before the Dáil is dissolved? Two current issues make that legislation urgent. One is yesterday's press report of a group of auctioneers announcing they...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: Now that I am a member of the auctioneering profession, I offer my services to the nation at a reduced fee.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: No other Member of this House will do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: I am not opening for business for a month or two.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: The second point is important and also concerns auctioneers. The week before last a court found an auctioneering firm at fault for misdeclaring in its brochure the size of a commercial property, resulting in an award against the firm of €350,000. Its defence illustrates what a scourge auctioneers can be in this society. The company said it had included a get-out clause in the brochure...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: To expose them.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Shane Ross: It will be a while before it starts but I thank the Leader nonetheless. I expect she will be my first customer when she retires.

Seanad: Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy (31 Jan 2007)

Shane Ross: Like the Cathaoirleach and possibly only Senators O'Rourke and Ryan, I served with Seán O'Leary for the short period he was a Member of this House in the 1980s. While I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that one of his most distinguishing characteristics was that he was unparalleled on the logistics of politics such as the minutiae of elections and constituencies and was extraordinarily...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Jan 2007)

Shane Ross: I formally second Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business. The fact that there will be two votes on the Order of Business, and several more, is indicative of the fact that peace is not breaking out in this House. I endorse the calls by Senator John Paul Phelan and Ryan for a debate on infrastructure. Senator Mansergh also touched on it when he sought a debate on the national...

Seanad: Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy (31 Jan 2007)

Shane Ross: Former Senator Yeats was extraordinarily self-effacing, a quality that is rare in this House. It is most unusual for politicians to have this quality and to survive with it intact. It is a tribute to the respect in which he was held by his fellows and the people that he survived. We could all learn a lesson from this if we were honest. Senator Yeats was complex and full of contradictions,...