Results 5,101-5,120 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Departmental Bodies (18 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I am sorry a decent Minister of State has been entrusted with such a squalid and disgraceful reply, which is riddled with intellectual holes. The Minister of State said civil servants are accustomed to changes of role within an organisation. That is a most extraordinary insult to the professionalism and expertise of such people. I have never heard anything like it. Are they dumbbells that...

Seanad: Departmental Bodies (18 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I would be very grateful if the Minister of State would do so.

Seanad: Departmental Bodies (18 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I am pleased to hear the Minister will meet these organisations, but I do not accept the point with regard to the professionalism of people and moving them around, and neither do the bodies concerned. They know expertise is picked up in this way. That assertion does not work. It might have a small chance of working had we not seen in the case of the Equality Authority the way in which the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I strongly support Senator Fitzgerald's comments on the case of Ms Pamela Izevbekhai. Ireland has received a well-deserved slap in the face from the European Court of Human Rights on this matter. I have been a Member of this House as we have discussed immigration legislation over a long number of years. I do not believe this kind of circumstance was envisaged by any Member of the House. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Senator Bacik raised precisely the point I wish to raise. I find it astonishing there is no definition of homelessness in this section. We are relying on previous and clearly inadequate definitions. I am glad this matter has been raised and I strongly support what Senator Bacik stated. I will table amendments and I will be happy to support amendments tabled by Senator Bacik. It is...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: My friend and colleague, Senator Bacik, has pointed out to me that a definition is proposed by Senator Doherty in amendment No. 30 to section 20. The Minister of State will have a few minutes grace to review the situation this morning.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I strongly support Senator Doherty. He has done us a service by providing a definition of homelessness for the Bill. I am sure Members on this side of the House will put forward amendments and if I do not put them forward, I will certainly support those who do. It is essential to have this definition of homelessness. I wish to comment on the wording of the amendment. The first thing one...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: The Minister of State will have time to consider the question of a definition of homelessness. He would do us a service if he provided a definition and he should not allow it to go to the Lower House. The Minister of State was a Member of this House and we have been treated with scant respect by it in recent days. I believe he would be doing the political system a favour if he either...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I am heartened by some of what the Minister of State says, but I am disappointed with his response to the definition. I would like some information on that. I know there is a definition in the 1998 Act, but that dates from 20 years ago. We now have a more sophisticated and targeted approach in these matters. I would not like to think that we have not learned anything over the past 20...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: The Senator underestimates himself.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I will get my pension next year.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: In my discussions with the four principal elements of the Make Room grouping, they were extremely positive about the Bill and about the Minister of State's attitude. There is no question of a dispute or anything like that. However, I could not help noticing that the Minister did not actually say they are happy with the definition of homelessness. In fact, he scrupulously avoided it....

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I support the thrust of both these amendments but prefer Senator Hannigan's on behalf of the Labour Party because it includes Senator Coffey's amendment through its reference to "tenancy services". Senator Coffey made a very good case for this and this may be the way of the future, that more people will live in rented accommodation, as they do on the Continent. People will find it very...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I do not want to be tedious in taking the Minister of State up on his reference to bedsits. I accept that this matter is not directly connected to the matter under consideration. I hope an inspectorate will be established. Legislation to deal with substandard accommodation is of no use unless properties can be inspected. It should be possible to put out of business those who provide such...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: Splendid; well done.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2008)

David Norris: I also support the amendment because without it, the plan may remain inert in certain aspects and we should seek active engagement with the plan. This Part is important because it deals with the assessment of needs and the provision of a plan by the appropriate authorities in response to that. It is a desirable objective to make the entire process active. Senator Hannigan's amendment goes...