Results 301-320 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Pity about them.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I am very grateful to my colleague, Senator Quinn, for affording me this opportunity, particularly because I disagree with most of what he said, apart from his final statements in which he seemed to be getting onto the right track. I speak from the point of view of somebody who does not watch sport on television. While I would not turn over in bed to watch any of the programmes about which...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: This Bill is a bit of a mixed bag. I thoroughly approve the ending of the dual mandate but I regret the opportunity to elect mayors and cathaoirligh of city and county localities has been removed. I tabled a motion a number of years ago seeking this measure until my co-signatory joined Fine Gael and ran for the council. That was the end of that motion but I continued to believe the dual...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Although a member of the NUJ, I have often chid the media but I was aided and abetted by members of the Government party who went on the airwaves to claim that right. I heard them doing that, so it was not a figment of the media's imagination. It was a tidbit fed to the media by people who are obviously out of touch. In regard to cheque book diplomacy, I would have thought given the history...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Which ones?

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I withdraw that until the tribunal reports and then I will re-enter it. I will suspend judgment.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Thank you. I will accept your guidance on that, but I will come back to it when the tribunal reports.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: That is all right.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: With the help of God, I might not even be here. I might be occupying a higher sphere.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Hardly. I was thinking of a cloud and a harp.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: There is something incestuous in it, not only because some wanted to appoint their spouses or relations but also because in the nature of things and the way the Seanad is composed, exactly as has been pointed out by Senator Fitzgerald and others, councillors are the electorate for the Senators. That tends to create a distortion because of the intrusion of sometimes important but also quite...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

David Norris: If it is offered to me, I will do my best to occupy it with due decorum. I would, of course, come to the Leader of the House for lessons in courtesy and presence. I definitely need a degree of extra presence. I hope this matter of direct election to this important office will be examined again. It would strengthen democracy in this area.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach is required by Standing Orders to take—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: At Cheltenham.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: It is relevant that the Minister is not here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: With regard to the question of leaks, it is a feature of political life that virtually every Minister leaks information. If Senator Leyden is in the situation of never having committed a sin, then of course he is entitled to cast a stone. My understanding is that virtually all Ministers leak information from time to time. What is unusual about the matter raised by Senators Finucane and Ross...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: —is that it has not been established that it was the Garda which leaked the document. However, it was certainly unusual that the Garda established a body to monitor and review a situation and published a report after a mere three months. That does look a little like jockeying for position and ordinary members of the public – I include myself in this – would, I imagine, be concerned that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach has divined it; that is precisely what I am seeking. I support my colleagues in requesting such a debate. I also want to seek a debate on another matter. When will the Leader consider taking No. 16, motion No. 14, on Tibet or a similar motion? There is a serious reason that such a motion should be taken. Questions were recently asked in the Dáil about Tibet and the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: —said on the record that Tibet had a greater right to independence than most of the countries in the UN at that time. Let us hear from Deputy Cowen why this change has occurred. He seems to be at the races on this matter as well.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I support my colleagues' amendment to the Order of Business. I regard the Cathaoirleach and the Leader as fine officers of the Seanad and decent people. They have been placed in a most invidious position because they and the Seanad are being run by the bully boys of the Dáil, with a contempt for democracy and the people. It is no wonder the profession of politics is held in contempt when a...