Results 5,341-5,360 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I understand section 89 permits a charity to make arrangements for payments from its resources for insurance and so on, which is a welcome advance. However, it does not really address several of the points I made and especially the feasibility of obtaining such insurance. I am not an expert on insurance and my colleague, Senator O'Toole, would be more closely acquainted with the matter. He...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: No. In most cases, directors of charitable organisations may not receive any remuneration and they expose themselves to risk without getting any reward and this should also be borne in mind. I withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I understand that point.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I have a problem with the whole business of buying and selling spiritual matter, as it seems to me to be——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: ——close to simony. That is exactly what I was going to say. The selling of indulgences was one of the things that started off the Reformation. I have bought such things because, although I do not approve of it theologically, I respect the feelings of other people, particularly when they are grieving. Sometimes people are comforted by having a mass said, and I respect this. What one...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Clarendon Street. I thank the Senator. I am never terribly comfortable with shops in churches. This is not just a matter for one religious denomination; I go to St. Patrick's every Sunday and we have a shop inside——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Exactly. The Senator anticipated me. I said to them several times that if I was attacked by religious fervour I would go after them with a whip and whip the money changers out of the temple. Actually, they sell rosary beads and all the rest of it. It is really quite a flagrant money-making exercise, but at least the money goes to the church and towards sustaining the architectural fabric...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: My conscience is often at me. I do not think these cards have the slightest effect. It is exactly the same, as far as I am concerned, as Lourdes and Fatima and such places. I do not believe the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared in these places.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I do not, but I respect them, because I think they are holy places. They are sanctified by the suffering and the prayers of the people who go there. I will not go on. I will tell Senator O'Toole privately what I think about this. Let it be a reserved sacrament.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: This deals with agreements with charities trustees. I am not sure if my point is appropriate here; if not, perhaps the Minister or his advisers might advise me where it might come in. It is the question of payments to people collecting on the streets, for example, and payments to executives. I think that would be covered. I would like to see some percentage limit placed as a matter of...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I understand that and I will not push the matter, but I ask the Minister to keep this issue under review because I am not thinking in terms of putting information on the boxes. I am thinking in terms of making a statutory limit, even on a figure like 50%, because it is absurd to collect money, more than 50% of which does not go to the charity. What are they collecting for otherwise? I know...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I will move it formally on his behalf so that he can return to the issue on Report Stage.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 43: In page 68, line 7, to delete "shall" and substitute "may".

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: May I speak on the general idea behind it?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I want to ask one question of the Minister but it may be more appropriate to the section. I will be guided by the Cathaoirleach on this. On the reference to Chief Superintendent and so on, in the past two days, as is my wont coming from my house to here, which is a short distance, there were three national charities collecting on both occasions. I support all of them. One was Concern, one...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

David Norris: He will just think Senator O'Toole is adoring the Magi.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Shame.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Great.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I am afraid it seems to be one economic calamity after another and there will be a considerable bill for this. It is not just a case of disappointment because there will be no ham on the Christmas table; our exports will be badly affected. Although I am on the Opposition side, I compliment the Government on the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, responded quickly, clearly and...