Results 18,861-18,880 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: I seem to be the only person who has not had a letter from anyone in Dingle this week, and I never heard much sense come out of Dingle yet.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Perhaps I might follow the spokesman for SIPTU, Commissioner O'Toole.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: I endorse what most sensible people in the House have said today, namely, that there is a real danger of a political strike next week. I ask that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, come to the House at an early stage, presumably today or tomorrow, to explain the situation to us and what stance he is taking under the threat, which is very serious. It is a political strike whose...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: SIPTU is well represented in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: It is well represented.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Perhaps I might finish without interruption, a Chathaoirligh. I ask that the Minister——

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: ——come into this House, be given a fair hearing by the representatives of SIPTU and the rest of the Senators and explain what Government policy is and that we will not yield to such threats.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: ——and appointments are made from it. An important point was touched on articulately by Senator White. I apologise to no one for my criticism of the private sector — it is disgraceful in its appointments of directorships. What Senator White said is correct. Positions of power, particularly in the banks, CRH and other public companies are held by a small club of people in the best-paid...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Like money to the party.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Precisely. I have been saying it for two years.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: That is absolute nonsense. There is no indication of that.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Those were the days.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: I am not anticipating departing from the House and Members of the House are not actually allowed to serve on such boards.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: As Senator Leyden well knows.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: He did not catch enough rats.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: I would like to give Senator White a minute of my time.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: I welcome the liveliness of the debate. I would like to thank Senators Norris, Quinn and Henry, Fine Gael and the Labour Party for their support for this. I am somewhat puzzled by Senator O'Toole's lack of support, but he is a law unto himself. This is particularly true as regards this motion, because last year I had a motion on the Order Paper, which stated: "Seanad Éireann calls on the...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: Peculiarly, Senator O'Toole is in favour of ending this practice, but he is not in favour of reforming it.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Shane Ross: I predict that puzzle will be resolved in due course. I thank those who have contributed, particularly from the other side, but I have had difficulties with some of the arguments they have put forward. One was put by the Leader of the House and I am sure it is a misconception on her part when she says there is no reason that members of political parties should not sit on State bodies.