Results 18,921-18,940 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I came to the Chamber with an open mind on this issue because I have a fairly long memory of what happens with such matters. Inevitably, whoever is in Opposition picks up these issues, hits the Government with them and then when in Government behaves just like the criticised Government, and vice versa. However, listening to Senator Minihan I became convinced that this side of the House is...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: Because their motive is worse and because they benefit from it. That is why. If one appoints truly objective people who cannot benefit in any way from it, they will make more objective decisions.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I do not attribute any dishonesty to politicians, but they are deeply conflicted in the distribution of such moneys.

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I wish to share my time with Senator Norris.

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I welcome the Competition Authority's report but following on from the last three speakers' contributions I am somewhat out of sync with the views of the House. Senator Coghlan and Senator Leyden gave a robust defence of insurance brokers. Although they congratulate the Competition Authority, I am not sure what they said is in line with the report's message. The Competition Authority has done...

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I am now poacher turned gamekeeper.

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: In the days when I was a parasite, we charged far too much money for doing far too little, just like insurance brokers. Yet on every contract sent out, people were told how much we were ripping them off. People could at least see the amount paid on stamp duty, VAT and the brokers' commission. It also allowed them to complain. Insurance brokers are different types of parasites in that they are...

Seanad: Competition Authority Report: Statements. (25 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: That is a double-whammy. If I were the Senator, I would not speak on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I endorse what Senators Daly and O'Toole said about the need for a debate, protest or opposing voice regarding the summit held between the three leaders in Europe. I do not know what we expected because this is the inevitable result of handing over so much power to the European Union. It reminds me of IBEC and ICTU, the public service unions, the INTO and other such organisations.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I am supporting Senator O'Toole in a very limited way. We must remind ourselves that when Germany and France breached the Stability and Growth Pact, nobody seemed to worry too much about it, but when we breached it people got very hot under the collar. Therefore, this is a legitimate issue for debate and one in respect of which the Taoiseach should intervene. The second issue I wish to raise,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I apologise to the House. I could not hear all of what Senator White said, as I was so busy interrupting her.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I have several questions for the Leader. Could she allow time——

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: —— for Senator White to debate the Colombia three so that we can argue the case? I notice there is no motion in Senator White's name on the Order Paper. We should have time to express our views on what those three bandits were doing out there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: While I know the Leader has had difficulties with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I support what Senator O'Toole said. It is not acceptable that a review of auctioneering promised to this House has not happened. It is not good enough that promises made by a Minister in this House should be ignored by his officials. I am not pointing a sword or a finger at the auctioneering...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: It is time for the Revenue Commissioners to prosecute those responsible for traducing people into doing this and not just the small individuals who held such accounts.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I think Senator White should do it.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I thank the Taoiseach, the Minister and others, including Senator Mansergh, for intervening on an issue which the Senator raised a few minutes ago. It was an issue which greatly troubled the Church of Ireland and on which several of us were lobbied and asked to make representations, which we did. I refer to the Church of Ireland rule whereby people need not make the most positive affirmation...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: ——has already mentioned. The issue is money. The Church of Ireland has only just issued a new prayer book, and it would be extremely inconvenient, to say the very least, to have to reprint it. There is an issue of conflict between church and State law here, albeit a small church, and what must be done in a marriage for it to be affirmed. I ask the Minister to look at this very...

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I am not totally decided, but I think I regret the introduction of electronic voting. The arguments on both sides are reasonably powerful. What Senator Mansergh said is true. Ultimately, making this issue into a political football is rather silly. Even if it has been abused in its initiation, it will not be abused over the years once established. While it is quite good fun to point out that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Feb 2004)

Shane Ross: I endorse what Senators Ryan and O'Toole have just said regarding the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is important that a message goes out from this House that we are not an instrument of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform but that it is an instrument of this House. It has been known for many years that the Department has a Kremlinesque attitude to...