Results 18,801-18,820 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I wish to respond briefly to what Senators Mansergh and O'Toole said about the pay deal. I joint with them in congratulating the Government, employers and trade unions on reaching agreement on a pay deal without consulting a single Member of this or the other House. It is quite an achievement and it should be acknowledged. If they want to bypass democracy, that is something about which we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: That is right. When I am not interrupted by former members of the oligarchy I will be able to make that request. I would like a serious debate on where democracy lies so we can ask why these people are writing legislation and budgets and why no Member is having an input into one of the most important agreements for the next few years, which are simple questions.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I welcome the Bill in a limited way. The speeches made on the Bill and the reactions of Members of the House are, understandably, a response to recent revelations about AIB. However, if one returns to first principles of regulation of the financial services sector one finds that the Bill is lacking in the kinds of solutions needed for what is a large and fundamental problem. I say this...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: The Chair has been very generous. We are in an uncompetitive market. IFSRA and this Bill, which I am not opposing because it represents a small improvement, but not enough, are not tackling the fundamental problems of a cartel that is keeping prices high and consumers in trouble, ignorance on the part of consumers and the terribly flawed history of the banks. They should address the need for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: All of us have not read all of it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: Was the Leader listening to "Morning Ireland" this morning?

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I refer to the gentleman on the Leader's left, Senator Minihan. Did the Leader hear him?

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: It is only a very small partner.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: And everything else.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I also acknowledge the great achievement of Senator Norris in bringing the crowds onto the streets of Dublin to celebrate a book that none of them has ever read and which nobody understands.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: It is a great tribute to one man that he is capable of doing that. I am sure many Members of this House will be among that flock, including me. On a slightly more serious point, I suggest to the Government parties that there is a solution to the squabbling in which they are indulging in public. While there is a great temptation to blame each other after an electoral setback of the kind we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: It is time that those Members seized back some elements of power themselves, stopped turning on each other, turned to the Cabinet and requested that they want an influence on what it is doing and on the budget, rather than IBEC, ICTU, the Irish Farmers' Association and others, which have their role but should not be deciding Government policy on issues that have nothing to do with them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his impartiality throughout this session——

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: ——and on his great reluctance to defend the Leader of the House against questioning from this side. Long may it last. It is a great tribute to the Cathaoirleach that it is so.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I beg the Cathaoirleach's indulgence for one or two questions. I endorse what Senator Finucane said about autism. The issue has arisen in this House more than in the other and there is all-party support in the area. Senator Hayes raised it and I know the Leader also has an interest in it. Perhaps we could continue that debate and squeeze some money out of the Minister. The motion must...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: I suspect the Minister wants a full debate in the House. Let us not have a debate on that but instead have one on the economy. Some very interesting figures came out last night which are, on the surface at least, a great credit to the Government. They would certainly give every malcontent on this side of the House an opportunity to make special pleading for funds coming up to the budget, and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jun 2004)

Shane Ross: They do that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Shane Ross: This semi-State company is in chaos and is not being governed by anybody. Another semi-State operation which should cause us a certain amount of alarm is the National Lottery. I put a motion on the Order Paper today in this regard. It is regrettable that the National Lottery is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. As a result, it is very difficult to get any information about what...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Shane Ross: I have been waiting for a long time.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Shane Ross: If I could continue without interruption, I would take less time.