Results 6,141-6,160 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: On a point of order, the Leader has not made himself clear. This House is entitled to an explanation why the House did not sit.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: He promised one. He has not given it. He has talked a lot of rubbish, which brings the House into worse disrepute, about playing golf at 7 o'clock in the morning to honour-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I understand they do not allow women on that team.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: He said he is giving an explanation but he has not given it. This House is entitled to an explanation why we did not meet yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

David Norris: There is plenty of legislation to be dealt with, including the civil partnership Bill which has been promised a long time but we have not seen.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: The legal point is that under the Constitution of Ireland, the Irish language takes precedence. In light of the controversy that has existed in the past week or so whereby a number of complaints were upheld against Departments due to the lack of accessibility for Irish speakers to legal documents, there is a point that Irish is the dominant language allegedly, legally and theoretically.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I support the amendment. I do so having spoken on the matter on Second Stage and based on comments on the issue here. I wish also to refer to the e-mail campaign. Senator Healy Eames has done us a service by placing on the record some of the main elements of the brief provided through this campaign, thus rendering it unnecessary for me to do so. I received well over 100 e-mails, most of...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: It is appropriate to be prudent and careful in these matters. There are issues which the Minister of State needs to answer. A number of us, including Senators Fitzgerald, Bacik, Prendergast and me, asked about the 1 May deadline in advance of the deadline. We made it clear there was some urgency about it. The House is entitled to an explanation as to why that deadline passed. There may...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment. I had put down an amendment in the first instance on Committee Stage. My position is perhaps more radical as I am disquieted by the fact that the apparent proposals of the Government do not include any such provision in the civil partnership Bill. It is clear the Government has shied away from it, although it is a very important aspect and a principal defect of the...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Good.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Well said.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: Good woman.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I second the amendment. It is a useful one that follows the principle of placing the interests of the child as paramount. It provides for a special relationship with a special guardian in circumstances where the birth mother may find it difficult or there may be some obstruction but a link with the birth parents is still retained. At the same time, it prevents the child having a new...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

David Norris: I am happy to support this amendment, which provides that any reference made to issues of principle on the practicality of adoption shall be taken to include the provision of information, advice and counselling to a birth parent wishing to consider placing a child for adoption, because adoption is a serious step. I presume the amendment only covers the Irish State and has no extraterritorial...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I support Senator Fitzgerald on what I understand to be a call for a debate on the rights of children and the services to support them. While there may have been some arguments for redacting some elements of the Monageer report, I find no justification whatever for editing out the seven recommendations. How on earth is this Parliament to exercise its role of supervision in assessing whether...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

David Norris: That may be factually incorrect.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

David Norris: It would be an honour for President Obama too.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

David Norris: I was making the point that services relating to the provision of information, advice and counselling to a birth parent wishing to consider placing a child for adoption already exist in many instances. The principal intention behind the amendment is not to institute these services but rather to obtain recognition in respect of them in legislation. In view of the fact that the services to...