Results 6,021-6,040 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

David Norris: Families have——

Seanad: Pension Provisions (26 Mar 2009)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. This is a rather appropriate matter for the Minister of State to take because I know he has a distinguished academic career and is sympathetic to the work undertaken by universities. On 2 February this year, the Government announced a pension levy that would affect all public servants. I am not sure if this was to celebrate the 127th...

Seanad: Pension Provisions (26 Mar 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am very grateful to him for amplifying beyond the direct typescript as his additional points were particularly helpful. The people who have been in touch with me accept that the country is facing very difficult economic circumstances, but they make the point that they are not public servants in the ordinary sense due to the vulnerability of...

Seanad: Pension Provisions (26 Mar 2009)

David Norris: I thank the Minister of State for his further elucidation. There are degrees of research workers. Post-doctoral research fellows engaged in particular projects represent a slightly different category. I hope that there may be a positive outcome to this and perhaps the Minister of State's daughter may benefit.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: On the downgrading of Ireland's AAA credit rating by Standard & Poor's, which is a commercial firm and rating agency, Standard & Poor's was at the centre of the mess which caused the international financial collapse. It was among those rating firms and being paid for it by the firms they were rating. It joined the race to the bottom and, as a result, missed some of the toxic elements in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: When I heard that Mr. Frank Gill, who is one of Standard & Poor's senior executives, was apparently suggesting that regime change was needed in Ireland, I thought it was an April fool's prank. It takes a hell of a cheek for someone from such a discredited agency to make such a comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I note that a serious interpretation was placed on the words of Standard & Poor's in the other House yesterday. I refer to the comments of Deputy Enda Kenny, who asked the Taoiseach if he agreed with Standard & Poor's "that there is no confidence in the Irish Government, that the Taoiseach has failed to deal with the economic challenges of the country, that he has presided over a disastrous...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: He is not in a position to make such a call. That is the point.

Seanad: Economic and Recovery Authority: Motion (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I wish to share time with Senator Doherty.

Seanad: Economic and Recovery Authority: Motion (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I do not intend to take any excursions into Standard & Poor's given I exercised myself quite freely on that subject on the Order of Business. Although I agree with the points made by Senator Hanafin I will concentrate this evening on issues I believe are more relevant. I am disappointed the Opposition and the Government were not able to put forward a motion with which they could agree,...

Seanad: Economic and Recovery Authority: Motion (1 Apr 2009)

David Norris: While I was a little nervous, I was very careful. It was fantastic. It was silent, with tremendous acceleration and one had good control of the car. That is green energy. It was interesting to hear that one of only 11 prototypes was made available to a local garage in north central Dublin. I want principally to speak about wave energy. I believe we have an opportunity to get involved in...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I welcome the changes to the Order of Business, niggardly though they be. Five minutes is equal to £19/11, which was used in days gone by during sales in the shops. Why not go the whole hog and provide for an hour? However, the idea is a good one. I wish to raise the case of Pamela Izevbekhai, which is a very important matter. We are all concerned about the practice of female genital...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: On a point of order, I invite Senator Harris to withdraw the slur he made against the Shell to Sea campaign.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: That is very dangerous.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I support the Shell to Sea campaign. I have been involved with it for some time. I am not aware of this thing. We should have a debate on the ideas behind it.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: To which "so" does the Cathaoirleach object — the first or the second?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I very much agree with Senator Fitzgerald and applaud her judicious approach in stating this side of the House, including both the Opposition and Independents, will support the Government on necessary measures that are prudent and in the interest of the people. Everybody's attention is focused on the economy. It did not give me any pleasure to hear an international correspondent on the radio...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

David Norris: I have had my three minutes.