Results 4,741-4,760 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: I welcome the fact that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are hacking lumps out of each other over the European treaty because it gives an opportunity for me, as practically the lone voice in this House trying to present a reasoned argument against the Lisbon treaty, to be heard. That is not particularly easy, especially since The Irish Times has dropped its neutral stance and committed itself to...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, you have allowed every other person to speak, and Senator Regan is allowed to speak on this every damn day. I am virtually the only——

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: I am not impugning you, a Chathaoirligh, but how many other people are allowed to put this argument? We had Mr. Pöttering from the European Parliament pottering about in here but there was an attack on Mr. Jens Peter Bonde, MEP, who was extremely good. Can he be invited to the House to present a balanced view, since Members have had their "Yes" person, Mr. Pöttering, in the House?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: We have heard a great deal of rubbish about neutrality. Fianna Fáil's neutrality was pragmatic, adopted by Mr. de Valera during the Second World War. There were no principles whatever behind it. Fine Gael does not have a neutrality policy; it is against it. Fine Gael would like to walk us into NATO at the first possible opportunity, but the people of Ireland will not have it. That is...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: What is the point, a Chathaoirligh? Last week, I asked the Leader a series of questions about the European Defence Agency, the coy new name for the European armaments group. The Leader promised to give the replies to the House or to me in writing. I have received neither.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Having jumped the gun in mentioning Mr. Pöttering, I wish to return to my request regarding the Dalai Lama. I ask the Leader for a response to my request. I have gone through the correct etiquette in asking that an invitation issue to the Dalai Lama; I have been doing it for six weeks. The foreign affairs committee has unanimously agreed it. I wrote to Senator O'Toole and he presented my...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Yes, you have. I accept that.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Before the Cathaoirleach calls the Leader, may I raise a point of order?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

David Norris: My colleague, Senator O'Toole, has suggested to me that the Cathaoirleach may have felt I impugned his impartiality. The Senator also thought he heard the Cathaoirleach ask me to withdraw something. I did not hear that but I would be more than happy to withdraw whatever it was that was offensive and I take this opportunity to say that the Cathaoirleach always treats me with leniency, as he...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Dingle.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Make it six.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2008)

David Norris: I welcome to the House the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Seán Power, and congratulate him on his new office. I would also have been pleased to welcome the new Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Mansergh, and commend him on his elevation. Unfortunately, that elevation reduces the potential for badinage between...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

David Norris: It is a measure of the great interest and the seriousness with which Seanad Éireann takes this matter that there are so many people wishing to speak and so many have requested to share time. I am one of them and I wish to share time with Senator Pearse Doherty.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Senator Doherty said that two minutes would be enough.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

David Norris: I am not going to argue, because I wish to get on with this and if I am finished early the Senator can make use of the time.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

David Norris: Given the degree of interest in this matter it is a pity there is not a supplied script from the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, which I would have welcomed. It would have been helpful to those of us who, because of pressure from other sources, were not able to be here to hear the Minister of State's speech. I am sure there was no disrespect...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion (28 May 2008)

David Norris: I do not like the public versus private model. It was appalling that the woman in County Kilkenny was sentenced to death for the crime of being poor, which I have said before. That is my principled stand. I find there are elements with which I agree on both sides of the debate. For example, regarding step No. 4 in the motion, I agree with most of what the Labour Party put down, but I do...