Results 5,261-5,280 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: They would not tie the hands.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I want to add an additional rider. This has been a valuable debate and I ask the Minister of State to make available to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel the text of the debate on this section so that our concerns can be taken into account in the context of the debate. I would not be happy if it was a question posed to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. Is the Minister of State prepared to...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I support this valuable and practical amendment. Senator O'Toole tabled a similar amendment with a time requirement in respect of other legislation and it was accepted. In this debate the Minister of State has relied extensively on a promissory note to the effect that this will be dealt with in the regulations. In return for that, it is fair enough that we are given a timeline. We cannot...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The Minister is becoming repetitive.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I support this amendment. Senator Bacik made an effective political point when she talked about aligning the legislation in this part of the island with that in the Northern part. It should be particularly keenly felt by a member of Fianna Fáil, which has the aim of reuniting the national territory. That is a good political point. An even more urgent point is the fact that, as Senator...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: For the sake of balance the Minister will also have to visit the Shankill.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Again, I find myself in strong agreement with Senator Bacik. Six months is plenty of time for it to be considered an emergency but I warn about one aspect. We have had emergency legislation on the Statute Book since the time of the Second World War. For political purposes, therefore, emergencies can be lasting. I support and reinforce what Senator Bacik said because I have a personal...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: On these grounds I ask the Minister of State to accept the amendment which would not tie the Minister's hands. It may not be necessary but it depends on the Minister of State's view of necessity. Nothing is necessary. We are not necessary. This Parliament is not necessary for the continued functioning of the universe. It all depends on how lasting the Minister of States's view of...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: At least, it is a variation of the theme.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I support Senator Bacik. The Minister of State has explained this as a policy whereas legislation is the implementation of policy. He has been very clear in this area about the policy he strongly advocates and it would be a pity to miss this opportunity to implement the policy or at least to provide a framework within which it can be implemented. I am a little disturbed at his reluctance...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The Minister of State will presumably be laying the draft regulations before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Perhaps he will clarify whether this will happen and whether this will be taken with debate because we are familiar with a number of situations where matters were taken without debate. I am assuming that these regulations will be laid before the Houses, although not perhaps in draft...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Will the Leas-Chathaoirleach explain how this is so? The amendment relates to the establishment of an appeals commission.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I regret that my amendment No. 54 was ruled out of order. It is most frustrating. I strongly object to the notion that it cannot be moved because it would involve a charge to the Exchequer. Does this refer to the establishment of the commission, the payment of salaries and so on? We routinely pass similar provisions in the House. The decision to rule the amendment out of order highlights...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

David Norris: That is a weak response. The Ombudsman is not the answer to everything.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I also feel very strongly about this point and I mentioned it to Senator O'Toole who indicated to me that he intended to take it up. He has quoted from the relevant section of Standing Orders. I have been a Member of this House for 21 years and I have never experienced this before. It is an extraordinary departure not just from the rule book of the House but from the traditions of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I think that would be wrong. There may have been a precedent but I do not recall it even though I have been here for nearly every day's Order of Business for the past 21 years. I am sure you, a Chathaoirligh, have been correctly advised on that so I am not impugning that advice, but there is no reason to follow a bad precedent. What is this attempt to close down the Order of Business?...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Yes, there is resistance from him to the expansion of the Order of Business and I have never fully understood that.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: As the Leader indicated, he interrupted me; therefore, I am entitled to finish. He does not usually do so; he is courteous. At least, we managed to squeeze out a reason. We understand the Minister for Finance is under considerable pressure and has great demands on his time but Ministers are servants of the House, not masters, whatever the circumstances. What worries me more is the constant...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: After the exertion of much pressure.