Results 6,821-6,840 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Exactly.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Exactly.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: There is a defence. That is exactly what I said.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: That is the point I made.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Yes, absolutely.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: This is an important section relating to the whistleblower's charter. I urge the Minister to introduce broad legislation covering the rights of persons who make such disclosures. I am aware of a number of examples. I know of one in a health facility where an employee saw mistreatment of disadvantaged people who were vulnerable. They made an anonymous telephone call and discussed the issue...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I beg Senator White's pardon, but I wish to signal that I will be tabling a Report Stage amendment along those lines.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I support Senator Twomey whose contribution is significant. The House should bear this specifically in mind because of the recent case involving former Senator Jim Higgins and Deputy Brendan Howlin who found themselves in some legal difficulty in regard to their sources. That is a good point. The more I think about it the more strongly I believe the Minister should harmonise the penalties...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Welll, Senator O'Toole is no virgin.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Go raibh míle maith agat a Leas-Chathaoirligh. Ba mhaith liom-----

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Tá an Ghaeilge go flúirseach agam agus bhí mé ar TG4 cúpla oíche ó shin. Ba mhaith liom tacaíocht a thabhairt don leasú seo a mhol mo chara, an Seanadóir Seosamh Ó Tuathail. This is a good amendment for several reasons. First, it caters for people in the Gaeltacht. It also addresses the situation in a modern way. We are catching up with the electronic world. Also, and...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: This amendment is like a mission statement. I do not see it doing the slightest damage, but it is really rather exhortatory. I want to take up what my distinguished colleague, Senator Harris, had to say, and welcome it strongly. He has been a harsh and trenchant critic of the Frontline Alliance for clear and idealistic reasons. There was no nastiness in it. He felt it passionately....

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Of course it is. It is part of the problem. It is exactly related to paragraph (xi) in the amendment, and I am taking up from what Senator Harris stated. I just want to state the following three sets of figures on the deduction since the April budget. On a salary of €31,500 per annum, for the average PAYE worker the deduction is €945 per annum, but for the front-line workers it is...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: What the Minister says is useful. I will communicate it to the people, given that the Minister was particularly sensitive in communicating the information to Senator Harris. I believe the people concerned have a website and this reply from the Minister should be forwarded to them.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: On a point of order, I welcome Senator O'Malley to the Chair. I know now that matters will be expedited.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I said thank God we have Granuaile in the Chair. She will put an end to the nonsense.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Why not ask him?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: My amendment is in the same area but different. The Labour Party's amendment would go quite a way in the direction of that of the Government because it still states "evidence shall not include questioning or expressing an opinion" in other areas and in certain ways. Mine would simply replace the words "shall not" with "may decline to". This meets the requirement the Minister stated last...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I believe I have the right to speak to my amendment.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I have reasonably good antenna and can tell how matters are progressing. I have no appetite for any further disclosures from the Minister. As the debate progresses I discover in myself an increasing appetite for the gag. I also have other more carnal appetites which I now propose to satisfy elsewhere. I will return for all votes.