Results 3,961-3,980 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: To hear a young historian say the mistake was that they did not finish them off is repulsive in the extreme. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. The ethos that operated in 1921 in Offaly is the same ethos that has operated in the Border counties, and it must be wiped out. However, I do not share Senator Harris's optimism about the success of the Italian police with the Mafia. It has...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: —— and let them bleed to death, why do we describe them as aggressive? Let us have a bit of reality. I agree that the episode should be looked at in the context of the Border and I listened to what Senator O'Toole said about passports. We already have a passport situation. The real Government of Ireland — I speak of Michael O'Leary and Ryanair — makes us produce our passports at...

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Suicide Prevention Strategy: Statements. (24 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I seek to share time with Senator Pearse Doherty. I welcome the Minister of State and the initiative of taking these statements but I hope the matter goes further because this is a serious problem. I also welcome the fact that we have progressed from a time when we thought there was no suicide in Ireland. The subject was covered up and we used to cock a snook, so to speak, at Sweden and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I support Senator Harris's point. It is obvious, and I have said it many times, we should play to our strengths. It is nonsense to say our hands are tied by the CPP. The CPP is supposed to represent the views of the elected Members. On this issue it clearly does not. When Senator Harris spoke a murmur of agreement passed across the Chamber so let us have some action. Last session I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Let us have a debate on Cuba——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: That was the general drift of my remarks. I noted that Senator Coffey seconded Senator Bacik's motion but in case that was not in order I am happy to do it. Like the call for an extension of the Order of Business and a recognition of its signal importance, there was agreement throughout the House by members of different parties that this is an important matter and I am happy to second it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: If that happens I will call a vote every day on the Order of Business. It is nonsense to say our hands are tied by the CPP. Let us get at the CPP and untie them. It is an abuse of democracy and I will not stand for it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: No, the Cathaoirleach cannot.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The metro.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I seek guidance from the Chair — I am afraid I am rather confused. Where am I? Am I on a little island called Ireland or am I, as I increasingly suspect, on the flying island of Laputa, described by the late Dean Jonathan Swift in Gulliver's Travels? I ask partly because of the matter raised by Senator Fitzgerald. The Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: When I heard this morning that the Health Service Executive is in a state of distraction and paralysis over the significant question of how many electricians it takes to change a light bulb, I wondered again whether this is the flying island of Laputa or just a bad joke. I understand that a garda will be made privy to these special provisions. We know that gardaí are unusual people because...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I would not dream of making a speech.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Can the Chair tell me where I am? Is this Laputa or is it Ireland? Assuming from the Cathaoirleach's expression that it is Ireland, may I raise one other matter? I understand from radio reports that the Labour Party intends to introduce a civil unions Bill in the other House later today. I salute the Labour Party for doing so. I listened to the debate on the radio and I hope we have a...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: My mother was in this situation after my father died when I was six years of age. My mother got no pension because it was my father who died. If my mother had died, my father would have got a pension. I want the lie that was put out on the air — that the law was introduced to protect spouses — to be withdrawn. It was put out on the air that this is to protect the spouses but it is no...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I will table this matter as an amendment to the Order of Business. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Civil Partnership Bill 2004 be taken. In support of my argument, I remind the House that I am a member of a family which was here when St. Patrick arrived on the island. I am pretty Irish and I do not need to be lectured about Irishness by anybody as to what is and is...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: ——I will take another trip to Europe if that is necessary. I am signalling to the House that this is what I will do.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Yes.