Results 18,381-18,400 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: This is a second one. I propose that we today discuss and put on the agenda statements on the future of the Great Southern Hotels.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: We should get another Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: Yes.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: Twenty minutes will be fine.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I wish to address some of the issues raised by Senator Dooley. I am aware he finds himself in a difficult position this evening, as he often does. When he is in a corner, he comes out to bat for the Government like the late Brian Lenihan used to do.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: He leaves us with the feeling that he has done his best but is not really convinced of his arguments. In one of his first sentences, which was incredible enough to beggar belief, he said that a solution had been found. He went on to say that we discussed this very matter about this time last year. Given that we urged exactly the same solution when we last discussed it, it is nonsense to claim...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: It is all very well to say that he was only one week in office, as I heard recently on a radio programme, but that is not true because he had served for at least six months. The deal was signed in October but he had been in office since the previous March.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: Did the then Minister sign this deal without knowing its contents or giving it due consideration? He must take responsibility and the Government of the day should say it signed the deal but got it wrong. This is not just about money, it is a human problem. I am sick and tired of people talking about how much it will cost to do A or B, with projections on traffic volumes and the economy. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow for statements on the Great Southern Hotels.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I am not doing this out of mischief because I detect a difference between the Government parties, but to facilitate Senators Morrissey, Dooley and Cox in their desire to discuss the matter today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I am particularly keen to facilitate the Government rather than the Opposition. It is important to discuss this because the Government's response is so extraordinary. It has noted the Dublin Airport Authority's decision to sell the Great Southern Hotels. It is the first time in the history of the State that the Government has noted anything as an official policy. It is important that we have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: As a great ideologue, Senator Ryan would love to have a debate. The reason he is out on such a limb in the Labour Party is that he has an ideology.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: The Senator is one of the few members of his party to have an ideology.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I have no doubt the Labour Party will return to Senator Ryan. It is important that the House takes a lead on issues of this nature and is not left behind. The decision on the proposed sale will be postponed until after the next general election unless we flex our muscles and force the Government to make a move rather than pussy-footing around.

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear. Not in the Seanad though.

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I thank Senator O'Toole for sharing his time with me and I want to congratulate him. I notice that sometimes in this House people make strange conversions from one position to another. When Senator O'Toole was negotiating the benchmarking deal, I did not hear him crying about the interests of the poor or the voluntary pillar. When Senator O'Toole was negotiating the deal for the teachers, I...

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: ——let him not forget from whence he came.

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I congratulate Senator O'Toole on the deals he did in the past in terms of benchmarking. They were brilliant, but the did nothing for the poor or underprivileged. They did a great deal for the public service, and that was his job at the time. I come to the main issue, to which Senator O'Toole is not party, because he is a Member of this House and not a member of a union. His words today are...

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Shane Ross: I said a political eunuch, not a eunuch. I want to get to the main issue before my time runs out. Senator O'Toole was not too generous, incidentally, in sharing his time.