Results 5,401-5,420 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I thought the Leader was doing it on principle.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: What about me?

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Senator O'Toole asked me to press it.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I will be brief. I support the amendment for precisely the same reason as my two colleagues and also because this is a matter that was urged upon us by the various lobbying bodies. It is not in conflict with the Minister's objectives. In fact, it is putting a kind of headline for him to take specific action. Everything he said in the earlier part of the debate looked towards the question...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I second Senator Bacik's amendment. It calls for precisely what the Minister intends, which is, action in the matter. Instead of being a wish, it is something that will and should be done. I listened to the Minister of State's arguments on Committee Stage and I was not completely convinced. Therefore, I would be happy to support Senator Bacik on this issue.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The arguments were made at the earlier Stage. At that point Senator Bacik raised what I felt was a significant legal point. Her memory is quite accurate. The Minister of State said that he would consult the Parliamentary Counsel and take legal advice. He has not yet had the opportunity to give the House the burden of that information. My amendment also seeks to facilitate. It introduces...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: It means it is a kind of double amendment.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I am grateful for that clarification.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: It is splendid. It is a triumph for a new Senator.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: A not quite flexible enough Minister of State, not yet. We await his words.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 22: In page 18, line 18, after "site." to insert the following: "Where there are moneys due and owing by a household to a housing authority under any of the provisions to which this section applies and the housing authority is satisfied that the household would otherwise suffer undue hardship if social housing support was withheld, the housing authority may provide such...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Yes, and I would like to explain why. I understand I am entitled to speak once more after the Minister of State has spoken.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I fail to understand that. I thought the proposer of an amendment could comment on the Minister's reply.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The amendment is being pressed. The Minister of State indicated that he is considering amendment No. 21. Given its simplicity, I fail to understand why he could not have used the time available to him to bring a Government amendment in this regard. That is one of the reasons I am pressing amendment No. 22. It is not clear to me that the waiving of rent will be operable for the tenant...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I second the amendment for the same reasons.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I second the amendment for the reasons stated by the Senator and because of the arguments I made at an earlier stage of the Bill. There is no point in rehearsing them at this stage.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I support Senator Bacik's amendment for the reasons she stated. I also emphasise the point that we are moving into pretty turbulent times. Three years is a long way down the road, if the assessments are to be tri-annual. People may well be under considerable pressure because of the changing economic climate. As we know, alas too well, the economic circumstances are changing rapidly.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I second this important amendment. On an earlier Stage, I made a point in support of Senator Bacik concerning those people who have been in hostel accommodation and so on for six months or longer and their families, who must go on to the streets. The Minister of State indicated with a nod that he understood the problem. On Second Stage, he also indicated his clear intention that people...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Show me the way to go home.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I received a courteous note from the Cathaoirleach indicating that this amendment would be ruled out of order because it could create a potential charge on the Exchequer. Will he or the Minister of State indicate what might be the nature of that charge? I have considered the amendment, which does not refer to money, wages etc., and I cannot identify any charge to which it might give rise....