Results 4,641-4,660 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I hesitate before disagreeing with my good colleagues in the Labour Party but I have a little concern. It is alarming if Drogheda is to become part of the greater Dublin area. I know it is in the commuter belt. The effectiveness of the Dublin transport authority would be somewhat diluted if we take this much wider view. I could be wrong on this and I will listen to the Minister with great...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I am afraid I am about to be disloyal to my colleagues again, even though I admire the work Senator Donohue has done and have told him this on a number of occasions. However, if we are required to provide a well functioning, attractive, integrated and safe public transport system, it will, by necessity, be "for all users". If the transport system is in place in this form, the phrase "for...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 6: In page 14, paragraph (b), line 13, after "system" to insert the following: "in accordance with standards comparable to those set down by relevant bodies such as the H.S.A. and the Road Transport Authority". I am moderately happy, although not as happy as Senator Donohoe. I say well done to him. He got a goal but I appear to have missed.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: The Minister seemed to address Senator Donohoe in regard to my amendment, which was rather odd. I do not agree with the Minister and I might consider it again on Report Stage. The Minister said he was sympathetic to the intention of the amendment but did not seem to wish to be specific about it. I do not understand his hesitation because I would have thought exactly the same logic applied...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: On this occasion I am very happy to support Senator Donohoe. This is an excellent and significant amendment. He is quite right to talk about a cohesive cycle strategy. There is a total lack of coherence in the provision of cycle lanes at present. Senator Donohoe mentioned O'Connell Street and I believe he suggested there were no cycle lanes on it. There has been a recent development...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: Senator Donohoe is very gracious, but I am inclined to be more combative on his behalf. The Minister said he accepts the principle of the amendment, but does not want the DTA overburdened. That tells me that nothing will be done. There is a conflict between not wishing to burden the authority with extra proposals and saying he will consider strengthening the proposals in section 11 or...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: Could the Minister direct me to the specific provision in section 71? I am looking at it but cannot see it. I am sure the Minister is correct and it is there. Could I have his assistance because I do not see cycling mentioned there?

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I have looked at the section to which the Minister drew my attention and 71(7)(c) refers to measures to "increase travel by public transport, bicycle or on foot as an alternative to the private car". I would like the Minister to come back, as Senator Ellis said, on Report Stage with something that deals with one of the central points of the issue, namely, the lack of coherence in cycle...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: Speaking as an old-fashioned socialist, albeit one about whom the odour of champagne and smoked salmon occasionally lingers, I was concerned about the first part of Senator Donohoe's speech. However, I rather warmed to him when he recounted his experience in London and his hesitation about deregulation. I would not like to think this Bill was the opening shot in a campaign to privatise CIE,...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: However, that includes a social aspect. I know in her heart Senator O'Malley also supports this. With regard to the provision of extra buses, they may be necessary, but certainly not in O'Connell Street, as has been mentioned. One could not get another bus into O'Connell Street. The buses are end-to-end. One can hardly squeeze in a taxi. The buses are lined up on the street, they pull in...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: As a community we should provide public services out of public funds.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: It is not always, but it frequently can be so.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I support Senator Ryan on this issue. The section will require me to table further amendments because under the Bill, as it stands, elected members of all types are forbidden from sitting on the authority. This provision is wrong and a subversion of democracy. It is important to have people on the authority who can act as a channel of communication for the feelings of the public. This is...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: The section is worse than I thought.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: That is not what we said. It does not automatically include such people.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: I do not. However, this does not automatically include such people.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (8 May 2008)

David Norris: Senator Ryan used the word "related". The amendments are related but I am a little bit confused by the grouping because I would have thought amendment No. 20 should have been grouped with all the amendments to section 40 since they deal with membership by members of local authorities. It is very interesting that Senator Ellis, a former distinguished Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint...