Results 281-300 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

David Norris: On the same issue, Tom Hyland, who would be known to many Members, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Limerick yesterday. That was highly appropriate. Awarding honorary degrees is a type of honours system and it is the way in which we recognise the significant achievements of people such as Tom Hyland. He has done the country such an honour that it would be an imaginative...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

David Norris: Yes, I would be very happy to have one. However, the Leader should draw the attention of the Minister to the fact that a task force for the area is needed as the problems are very complex.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

David Norris: If the Leader does not mean to do so, perhaps it would be a good idea not to.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

David Norris: On crack cocaine?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

David Norris: I am grateful to Senator Brian Hayes for raising the matter of knife attacks and also to Senator Ormonde for calling for a wider debate. This is a very serious subject because it is so insidious. In the interview I heard, the Garda inspector said that often the people who had been stabbed did not realise how seriously they had been injured, and they managed to run away. He said that sometimes...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I support Senator Brian Hayes's amendment to the Order of Business. This is important legislation which needs to be treated with due care and consideration. The Government has not done this. The fact that it simply appointed five departmental Secretaries General to produce it and significantly failed to consult its own Information Commissioner weakens the approach to the Bill. One must be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: It is very much on the Order of Business. I wish to raise a couple of other matters, of which one is the question of the abuse of taxi plates. This surfaced in the Sunday newspapers and has been the subject of a good deal of comment—

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I am asking a question which is a little long-winded. It was indicated on the airwaves that an amendment to the legislation might be required. It is appropriate that this be done in this House because, whereas nothing criminal has been done and one cannot do other than admire his entrepreneurial ingenuity, it seems Mr. O'Leary puts his own transport requirements way above those of other...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: That would be unseemly.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Senator Ross, without interruption.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I am grateful to Senator Ross for sharing time. Unlike him, I do not have an instinctively negative reaction to the Bill. I understand that, for Cabinet and Government to work efficiently, certain measures must be taken. One must be practical about this and it is unrealistic, particularly in the context of Governments which remain in office for four or five years, to have confidential Cabinet...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I see. I did not mean any personal denigration of Senator O'Meara, for whom I have great admiration. I had expected that more prominence would have been given to the Seanad. I hope that the Labour Party will table its Bill as an amendment to this because we will then have the opportunity to consider the two alternatives and vote on them.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: There is a lack of balance and the Government needs to convince legislators that there is a sense of proportion in the Bill. I deliberately emphasise that I have not shown myself to be totally antagonistic, but I understand the practical working reasons. From this position of sympathy with that of the Government, I ask that it examine closely and address the practical issues I have raised in...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Mr. Dunlop. Nobody is so idiotic to write down, "I got £150,000 from Mr. Dunlop". It is a complete waste of time and a cosmetic exercise intended to fool people into the notion that there is absolute accountability and transparency. It is irritating nonsense. The sooner we get rid of the pretentiousness associated with standards and address real standards in public life, instead of tricking...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Which the Senator inhaled.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I was not in the Chamber last night when the unfortunate remark was passed. I understand Senator O'Toole heard the comment, read it and listened to it again this morning. I was present in the House and spoke immediately after Senator Ross and heard what he said. I did not consider what he said to be inflammatory. I do not agree with Senator Dardis.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The Senator suggested that heated words were exchanged and that it was part of the atmosphere in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: It was not heated at that time, nor at the time the remark was made. There was an intention to suggest there was something different.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The debate was clear and reasonable, at least at the time we spoke. These remarks are unfortunate. If some people have difficulty with hybrid ancestry, I do not. My father was English, but I can go back much further than many Members on my Irish pedigree. That kind of remark does not bother me. I am glad my colleague has attended the House. He will probably be able to address these matters...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I believe it is. We will have to disagree amicably on that point. I call for an early debate on this issue.