Results 4,281-4,300 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: One week a term; that is great.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I have a difficulty with it but I am prepared to wait until we reach the next section to discuss it.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: Senator Walsh's point has brought something to mind. I consider I was seriously libelled by one of the gutter newspapers some time ago and on that occasion I did not take the matter to court. I was telephoned around midnight and I got out of bed to answer the telephone, the person read over what he or she proposed to publish and wanted a comment from me. That person was just covering...

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I wish to ask the Minister a question on what he has said. I have never heard it said that people have sought out newspapers and told reporters lies. Are there any proven instances of this? It would be fascinating if there were, and perhaps it is possible there have been such instances. Returning to the matter of telephone calls by reporters, there is also a question of headlines carried...

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: Can the Minister give any examples of people telling lies?

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I will be more specific under cross-examination and ask whether the Minister can give any examples of people telling lies to newspapers with the intention of making profit from libel actions. He said he could do so.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I would be very interested in hearing some of these examples, if the Minister can dig them out. I do not mean to be awkward, but I challenged his predecessor on the basis that I have yet to come across a convincing case where the libel laws frightened off a proper investigative journalist from an investigation. I asked him on a number of occasions, but he said he could not find such a case,...

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: My compliments on an elegant wriggle.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Regan. I am astonished that a Fianna Fáil Minister would introduce this kind of thing in the light of the case mentioned by the Senator. This is the celebrated Reynolds case, which followed some American precedents that have been extremely damaging. Look at the state of play in America, especially for politicians and negative advertising. People can tell any quantity...

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: It also came out of the United States case of Sullivan v. The New York Times Company.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: The Minister has been open, honest and interesting. I applaud the fact that he shared his views on this difficulty with the House. I am pleased he thinks the judges' following the Sullivan case was the start of the rot, followed by the infamous Reynolds case in Britain, which no Irish person could relish. The Minister indicated that the Judiciary is following such precedents in other...

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: It allowed me to decriminalise homosexuality. I thank Mr. de Valera, and I do not imagine he expected that.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I am just making the point, and, regrettably I have to leave the House for a while, although not before I hear the Minister's reply. I believe we are creating two classes of person here. The Constitution does not say the good name of an ordinary citizen may not be dragged in the mud but if he or she is stupid enough to get elected to the Dáil or Seanad, or even a county council, then one...

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I move amendmentNo. 18: In page 18, subsection (1), line 31, to delete paragraph (a). I am precluded from calling a vote because I have another appointment. Perhaps we can return to battle, however, on Report Stage.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I move amendmentNo. 20: In page 19, subsection (2)(f)(i), lines 9 and 10, to delete all words from and including "or" in line 9 down to and including "standards" in line 10. Can the Leas-Chathaoirleach give me the opportunity to find the relevant part of the Bill because I was just leaving the House? .

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I shall be obliged because unfortunately I have to leave now. That leaves me with the opportunity to re-submit. I shall read the Minister's reply with great interest, and I apologise for having to leave now.

Seanad: Defamation Bill: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2007)

David Norris: I am very grateful. The Minister, in fact, has articulated exactly what was in my mind, and I am grateful for that.