Results 4,661-4,680 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

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

David Norris: I did not mention chief executives. I said representatives of three of them.

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

David Norris: I move amendment No. 37: In page 34, subsection (1), line 17, to delete paragraph (a). The House is coming up against a deadline but I believe we can dispose of this amendment fairly quickly. What we are seeking to delete is section 40(1), paragraph (a), which states: "accepts nomination as a member of Seanad Éireann". It may be that what the Minister meant, and I do not agree with him on...

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

David Norris: I am happy to do so. In particular, I compliment Senator Donohoe on having at least one amendment accepted. That is very impressive for a new Senator. Progress reported; Committee to sit again.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2008)

David Norris: I am not sure they have the courage to do that. They have been told for long enough by every commission they ever appointed.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: No. The Senator should give Members a break.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: Euthanasia is more like it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: It is available on prescription.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: I welcome the fact that the House will be continuing statements on the Lisbon treaty because it is important that people like me, who have what I consider to be an honourable and reasoned position against the treaty, should have an opportunity to speak. I hope that on this occasion, unlike the last time I spoke on the Bill, some of it may actually be noticed. It is only fair that there...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: That does not seem to me to be helpful but if Senator Regan persists in being helpful in this manner to the Taoiseach, I would advise him to sit on the "No" side and be helpful to the people because then they will all vote "No" in this matter. Although I take this position, it does not mean that I wish to associate myself comfortably with everyone else who takes this position because there...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: What about the Abbey Theatre?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: I inquired about the Abbey Theatre.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: I do not need to rehearse much of what I had to say on the previous day. This is a series of related amendments that deal with an issue a number of other colleagues have also raised, that is, the exclusion of elected Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas and also of local authorities from membership of the Dublin transport authority. A Member of European Parliament would, by definition,...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: At least those in Dublin and surrounding counties.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: I will not delay the House but I am glad the Minister referred to our previous discussion on Committee Stage on section 40(1)(a). We are invited to hand in our nominations. This may only directly affect the six university seats in the Seanad but we are invited by the provost to hand in our nominations. This means we are nominated and even a person who fails to gain a seat in the House...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: I do.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: This opens the whole discussion on Members of the Oireachtas. Senator Donohoe mentioned people with major professional commitments who may still be members of local authorities. That would mean they could not give a full-time commitment. If that is to be opened up, there would be a need to also question membership of the Oireachtas because there is a contradiction there.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: Is this amendment in opposition to the section?

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: Could the Minister explain the rationale behind this dithering?

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2008)

David Norris: It is rather curious behaviour. It is somewhat like the "I stepped in again, you stepped out again" approach. It appears in the Bill, step 1. It is deleted, step 2, and then it is back in, step 3. That does not suggest a very clear and logical approach. I am not fully convinced about the Minister's action. Is it the case that the Minister does not now propose to delete the section?