Results 5,541-5,560 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: This section is strenuously opposed. I was interested in the Minister's comments during the debate on section 30. She seemed to be somewhat queasy about accepting responsibility for this decision. She pointed out that the original decision was not made on her watch. I agree with that and accept it. If she had been there, perhaps a voice might have been raised against it. She honestly...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I am exactly concentrating on that. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his guidance. The point I am making is that the Government can suddenly, at 6.50 p.m. on a Tuesday, find €50 million lying around the place, but apparently we are told there must be all these swinging cuts that do not save a penny, will create inefficiencies in the system and will deprive people of their rights. The...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Life after death.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I am sure the Minister will be familiar with the historical use of the word "dissolution". It was used by Henry VIII. He dissolved the monasteries, and there is not much left of them.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: He dissolved lots of marriages. He was an enthusiastic supporter of marriage. He was a great family man. He was a defender of the Catholic faith. What else can we say about such a remarkable scion of the Tudor family?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: It is dissolution. I agree that, of course, they are co-operative — that is their spirit of professionalism. On the basis of this series of scandalous attacks on human rights, I will write to every international organisation I can think of indicating the approach of the Government. It should be shamed internationally as well as nationally. I certainly propose to do this, as I did when we...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: It is a parallel point and I am going to make it.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I wrote to them and said they should not believe a word of what is being said because the Minister will tell them it was never raised. I mentioned all the debates and so on in which it was raised. I am going to make sure this news travels. The Minister said that the agency can continue to be independent. Will that really be so? In that case, why does the Government routinely include in...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I am responding to what the Minister said. She said that everybody was very supportive. That is the extent of the sympathy that exists in some sections, although by no means all. There are splendid people on the Government side who have a heart. It is important that these matters are placed clearly on the record.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I do not agree. It is awful that a very significant Bill like this should go through all Remaining Stages like this. That allows for absolutely no suggestion of amendments whatever and no real Report Stage. They might as well abolish the Seanad——

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

David Norris: —— and they forgot the Ombudsman's office as well. Why do they not get rid of that?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The Senator can rest assured that the development of the House would get the Government out.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: This Government is both arrogant and frightened, which is a dangerous combination in difficult times. The doubling of the cuts in the health service from €400 billion to €800 billion or €900 billion overnight is a staggering situation. We need to ensure the service provision is not affected and inefficiencies are cut out. I was aware of a case a year or two ago of a woman who fought...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: The Irish Times from Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: It is the newspaper of record, apart from the Irish Examiner which is an equally good newspaper.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: We are told a Roman Catholic bishop, on foot of this illegally distributed information, fired the prison chaplain. He was the quasi-employer of the priest. What is a quasi-employer? Can we have a definition from the Leader of the two terms I mentioned? Can we find out if the Secretary General is now considering his position?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: What is "vicariously liable" and what is a "quasi-employer"?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: I have respected it. I have not named anyone. I am asking for responsibility and accountability by servants of this State.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

David Norris: Exactly.