Results 18,681-18,700 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Human Rights Abuses. (8 Feb 2005)

Shane Ross: With the permission of the House I will share my time with Senators Norris and Henry. I raise the case of Mr. Roy Bennett, MP, who is detained in Zimbabwe without trial in circumstances that are completely and utterly unacceptable under democratic rule. I raise the motion in the hope that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, or indeed, the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy,...

Seanad: Human Rights Abuses. (8 Feb 2005)

Shane Ross: I welcome the Minister of State's reply. It certainly shows a willingness to make progress and to do something about this case.

Seanad: Human Rights Abuses. (8 Feb 2005)

Shane Ross: He said that the Irish ambassador in South Africa would raise Mr. Bennett's case with party colleagues of Mr. Bennett in the Movement for Democratic Change. I do not want the Minister of State to raise the matter with his own colleagues as we know how they will feel. Can the Minister of State assure me the Minister for Foreign Affairs will raise the matter with his opposite number in...

Seanad: Human Rights Abuses. (8 Feb 2005)

Shane Ross: The Minister of State is now disappointing me. I was encouraged by what he said previously but have now been given the impression that he is waffling. Will the Minister of State please give me an assurance that this matter will be raised by a representative of the Irish Government with the Government of Zimbabwe?

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (17 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: On behalf of the Independent group, I wish to echo and add to the sentiments of Senators O'Rourke and Brian Hayes. If we were honest with ourselves, we would note that, from time to time, we pay somewhat tepid tributes to people in this House whom we are quite happy to see the back of.

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (17 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: The opposite is true in the case of Paddy Behan. It was with incredible sadness and great surprise that I discovered he is retiring in about two weeks. I believed he had about a year and a half to serve before retirement. As Senator Brian Hayes said, it is extraordinary that someone who looks and sounds so young, and whose mind is so young, is leaving us. It is a terrible condemnation of the...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: With the permission of the House, I would like to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: It is very rare that a Minister, let alone a Taoiseach, gets universal applause from the House. We might not all agree with everything he has been doing regarding the Northern Ireland peace process. However, we salute the energy and dedication he has shown and applaud him on the relentless way he has pursued peace in this country. Whatever our differences on other issues, it is remarkable...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I wish to address one or two of the issues that have been raised. As Senator O'Rourke correctly stated, the contribution of those Members from Northern Ireland who have served in the House has been tremendous in terms of helping us to accept what is the great challenge in Irish life and politics at present. I do not wish to name any of them in particular. It is perfectly acceptable and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I second Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business which undoubtedly will also be supported by Senator Jim Walsh. Senators Ryan and Minihan have raised the issue of judges on which I am seeking a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I am asking the Leader if we can have a debate on political appointees to the Bench.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: It is important that judicial decisions be questioned by this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I am well aware of that but it is our job to debate those appointments and it is not forbidden to debate them in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Then I shall table a motion on this and I do not expect the Chair to make a ruling forbidding the discussion of political appointments and outrageous decisions by judges.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Will the Leader give time for a discussion of political appointments to the Judiciary?

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: The Government consists of politicians.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: They are political appointments.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I add my voice to those of a number of Members from the other side of the Chamber, in particular Senators Bohan and Ormonde, who expressed disgust at the raising of the toll charge on the M50 from €1.50 to €1.80. It is important that we realise that the Westlink bridge was put in place many years ago to alleviate the traffic problem, but it is now contributing to it in a major way. It is...