Results 4,021-4,040 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Does the Senator mean four and a half votes?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: It should not conclude until 7.25 p.m. as it is now 5.25 p.m.

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I wish to share my time with Senator Doherty.

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Three minutes.

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I commend the Labour Party on producing this Bill. This society faces a very serious situation which was unknown when I was younger, and I am only 63 years of age. It is very important the Labour Party has taken this on. It is also important that it has very clearly taken into account the recommendations and views of the Supreme Court. The Minister of State was a little dismissive of the...

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Why is the Minister of State saying "no"? Is it a partisan reason because this is what happens every bloody Wednesday in this House? Is it that the Government has really considered the substance of the Bill? I do not imagine it has really considered it. I refer to some of the things the Minister of State said. He suggested that it was a tiny minority and that it was a very special few....

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Motion for Earlier Signature (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: No.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Motion for Earlier Signature (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The Greens sat down for Ireland and gave up Woods's payments and uncivil partnerships.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The Minister of State is very welcome back to the House. This matter concerns a citizenship application, which is currently a troubled area, with 17,000 people in the queue awaiting citizenship. On average, every application takes about 30 months. That is a broad picture. Within this picture there are certain particular anomalies. We are told today that a function of politicians is to...

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: I could list all the distinguished posts this man has held, the work he has done and the way in which we were proud to have him representing us at international level, but from a party and Government that is everlastingly caterwauling about family values, the family and all the rest of it, it is a bit thick that they should have no concept of the family as it affects this person.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: The Minister of State has most certainly not.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: Yes, you are right a Leas-Chathaoirligh, it is very questionable and I completely agree with you.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: He is in charge here, not you, Minister. The Minister of State hopes he has addressed my concerns. He most certainly has not. I am not blaming him personally. I am asking him to take this response back to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, a rather decent man, and inform him I am not satisfied with it. Apparently, the daughter is disposable. The...

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: This man came from South Africa where they have this crude one-size-fits-all attitude to everything.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications (31 Oct 2007)

David Norris: It is inhuman what has happened to this family. I am ashamed that this can go on. I ask the Minister of State to take back this response and re-examine it. Can he not understand this is a family? The daughter has been educated and earned her degree, has a job and relationships in Ireland. They are prepared to accept the husband and let him have a wife but will not let him have a...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that the question of child care is an urgent matter. We have debated it in the House previously. It is especially important in the light of the very considerable costs incurred by parents allied to the fact that we now know that quite a number of crèches are completely unsuitable and do not appear to be good value for money. I disagree slightly with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: It is nice to see that on this side of the House, there is a degree of harmony between the two principal parties. Senator McCarthy's constituency is the same as that of Senator Fitzgerald, so he must suck up to councillors——

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: We must also address another subject that has been raised in this House previously, namely, the extraordinary impact of alcohol consumption on society. Figures were released today which indicate that Ireland is nearly top of the table in terms of alcohol consumption which has increased alarmingly, particularly among young people. The principal point I wish to raise is the question of what...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: I hold up a heavy weight of five folders each with individual sheets and each sheet containing an agonised plea to me about certain aspects of this Bill, especially about Irish citizens in relationships with non-EU citizens. I call on the Government to get off its backside and do something about it. I am not prepared to wait. Will the Leader give Government time before Christmas to take the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

David Norris: How very generous of Senator Hanafin.