Results 4,601-4,620 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I very much respect the Cathaoirleach's position, the way he conducts himself and the rulings he gives. However, I must reluctantly say that I cannot give an undertaking that I will never interrupt again because it is part of the tradition of this House. Had I not interrupted and heckled yesterday, the very serious matter we were discussing might have passed unnoticed. Nobody else stopped...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I did so because it is very dangerous to undermine the institutions of this State. Perhaps if it is constitutionally possible, we can have a debate on the function of the Judiciary. I do not know if that would violate the constitutional requirement. It is worth pointing to the name of the person involved. Senator Callanan said that the allegation should be repeated because it was true....

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: It does not matter. It is a political statement that I can make.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I will not withdraw it. It is a political charge. I am raising the question of the Judiciary and I believe it is very important that we have an opportunity to look at it because it is being consistently undermined. To be fair, I disagree strongly with the programme of Fine Gael as announced recently, which I am sure is well-intentioned. It suggested that mandatory sentences is the way we...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: There was a very nasty rape case recently and one sympathises very strongly with the victims. However, there is a lack of proportion in the attacks upon a Member of the other House who apparently wrote a letter about the family background which said that the parents were decent people. As far as I know, that may well be a fact. Yet people attacked the Member when they did not even have...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: That was followed by the head of UNICEF who said her use of this information was inaccurate and inappropriate. I did not impugn her. I did not say there was anything ideological about what she said, although my colleague, Senator Mullen, impugned the reputation of those Swedish researchers without knowing anything about them. He said they were ideologically driven. There is no doubt that...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: His position has been so diminished.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: Senator White is an ornament and a delight.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: There is no ideology.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House. I am very glad he is in charge of the Department of Transport. I have followed his career with interest and admiration over a number of years. He is prepared to be decisive, innovatory and to stick to his guns. I have some reservations about this Bill which I intend to put on the record. However, before I do, I wish to say that while I believe it is...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I would not touch the post with a barge pole. I would be completely the wrong person. I do not have the administrative talents that are required. I would like to advise those who are considering placing a bet, at odds of eight to one, not to waste their few dollars. I agree with the point raised in the very fine speech by Senator Donohoe regarding the refusal to allow elected Members to...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I wish to share time with Senator Mullen. I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this useful and pertinent debate. Senator O'Toole refers to the inordinate amount of parliamentary time consumed by these matters. Every Member has tabled an Adjournment matter on schools building projects and has large files on the matter and numerous examples have been outlined in the debate. The...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on alcohol abuse. I welcome the introduction of legislation in this area but I agree with the leading article in The Irish Times today, which called it "a weak alcohol bill". It is not good enough. We know perfectly well that alcohol is responsive to two triggers. It is price sensitive and it is sensitive to pressure on advertising. Nothing...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

David Norris: In light of the Leader's very helpful reply, I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I received a strong letter from Professor Patricia Casey demanding that I retract unscripted statements I made on the Order of Business some time ago. I am happy to take this opportunity to do so. I had suggested that in evidence in the High Court in the Zappone case she gave an inaccurate and misleading account of research. Professor Casey pointed out that the research was published after...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

David Norris: I am happy to confirm this matter. Since the original offence was not published, I am at a loss to find how she suffered any substantial damage to her reputation. I hope, however, this will restore her reputation in the eyes of the public and the courts. I regularly listen to the radio and I have heard about politicians being chastised for writing letters in rape cases. Yesterday, a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

David Norris: A vengeful and nasty spirit is abroad and the question of sexual abuse by priests within the church was, most unfairly, added to the equation. That man is a Christ-like figure who deserves to be commended. He also felt strongly for the Polish girl who was the victim of the assault. This is a nasty trend in the media that should be stopped. I recall writing for a newspaper some years ago...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

David Norris: No, the Senator is not the only person who will be doing so. I will be joining him.