Results 18,701-18,720 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I would not mind nationalising it. I have taken on the left many times. It is not very difficult with the Labour Party nowadays.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: We should note that when this bridge was originally built there were approximately 11,000 cars going through per day. There are now 90,000 per day. It is an absolute absurdity that it is allowed to obstruct the traffic of Dublin. The M50 will now be a double cause of delay because there will be three lanes on it in five years time and there will be a permanent traffic jam when the upgrading...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I was struck by what Senator ÓMurchú said and it should be echoed on this side of this House. The recent leak to the newspapers which raised the possibility of it being somehow embedded in the agreement that we would have representatives from Northern Ireland in this House has been interpreted as somehow slipping terrorists into the House. If that were so, all of us would condemn it and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Let us not underestimate that. I include Seamus Mallon, John Robb, Gordon Wilson and all others. They played a significant and serious role. There is however a terrible danger in a reluctance to allow us to debate Northern Ireland on the grounds that we are somehow irresponsible, or will say something improper. We are elected representatives, here to discuss immediate issues in a mature...

Seanad: Tributes to Deputy Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I join in the expressions of regret, congratulations and applause for Frank Lane on his retirement. He has been here as long as the Cathaoirleach and me and it is a tribute to his endurance that he has served so many Members and been so popular for so long. He has one of those extraordinary talents now lacking in many in modern Ireland in that he always has time for people. He has always been...

Seanad: Tributes to Deputy Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: His passing out through the gates this evening should make us aware of the great value of all the ushers. They are all tremendously helpful and do much for us that we often take for granted. I do not think the Leader mentioned the party for Frank this evening at 5.30 p.m.

Seanad: Tributes to Deputy Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I assume all Members are welcome and now they are aware of it, some will be there. Frank Lane was a great usher and we will miss him greatly.

Seanad: Tributes to Deputy Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Only to Senator McDowell.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: All or nothing.

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I propose to share my time with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I sometimes wonder whether Aer Lingus is in crisis. For a company that is earning more than €100 million per year and with prospective earnings of similar amounts next year, it is difficult to paint it as being in a critical situation. Financially, it is not in a critical situation. The crisis is of a different type, which could provoke a financial crisis quickly. I am not talking about the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Can the Minister indicate the type of person he imagines will take Mr. Walsh's job? What qualities will a replacement possess that Mr. Walsh did not, and vice versa? If Mr. Walsh and his crew are fed up with the difficulties in the State sector because the Government is in the way, what kind of man or woman will take on this job? The frustrations felt by Mr. Walsh will be even greater when...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: Senator Mansergh is provoking us.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: I frequently find myself in the awkward position of supporting budgets introduced by the Government and then listening to speeches by Senator Mansergh and doubting my judgment. Only an idiot or someone who has a political axe to grind could oppose this budget. It is obviously a deliberate, calculated and perhaps humane effort to reposition the Government by giving away money. Luckily for...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: The Cathaoirleach can throw Senator Dardis out and then I will have longer.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Shane Ross: It is a pity the Minister did not tackle these incentives head-on instead of falling back on the idea of a review. That is a fudge. In general, however, it would be churlish to dismiss or oppose this budget. On the whole it has done good things that the economy can afford.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Shane Ross: I was delighted to agree to second this motion when Senator O'Toole asked me to do so because of all the problems in motorway routes and archaeological objections, splinter groups and ginger groups coming forward, but this is the one that really matters. I echo some of Senator O'Toole's points. There are merits and environmental dangers in various motorway routes put before us. This is the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2004)

Shane Ross: Last week the Acting Leader of the House, Senator Minihan, promised that we could and would debate the issue of Aer Lingus. Will the Leader endorse this and commit to a date for this debate? Does the Leader have any proposals for debate on the budget next week? In the past we have debated it almost immediately after it has been produced in the Dáil.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Shane Ross: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we discuss today the state of Aer Lingus. I am somewhat depressed, and the House should reflect on this, that the House today is discussing the sole item of statements on pensions. I do not believe that is as urgent as the issue of Aer Lingus. The Seanad is in danger of becoming increasingly irrelevant if it refuses to discuss issues of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Shane Ross: Let us have a relevant debate with the Taoiseach, who is now the mouthpiece for the unions in Aer Lingus, and allow him to defend his position. That is what we are here for and let us have legitimate views from all sides — the Progressive Democrats, the Fianna Fáil Party, the Labour Party, the Fine Gael Party and the Independents. If we refuse debates on issues of this kind we might as...