Results 6,861-6,880 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I wish to raise a point of order. It is a serious point. This man's reputation has been seriously impugned by Senator Leyden in a manner which is factually incorrect.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I ask the Cathaoirleach to make him withdraw that remark. It was the Minister who betrayed the confidentiality. I do not think he did it maliciously. It most certainly was not Mr. Peter Mathews.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I am glad to learn the Senator can read. I know he can talk.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: It is insider jobbing.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: May I kindly have a response to my suggestion about Mr. Peter Matthews?

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: If there are less than two minutes left, I will wait and come back later.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I express my gratitude to Senator O'Toole and take up his question. I claim to be a Christian. I know it is a large claim, of which I am unworthy, but I can answer the Senator's question. Christ reproved the disciple who had cut off the centurion's ear and made him return his sword to the sheath when he was in danger of inevitable death. On the triple lock mechanism, many think both...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: It is required under the Constitution, I am afraid.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: The business of this House is run in a most chaotic and disordered fashion. We have again revised the Order of Business and a Bill is going through all Stages without notice. There was supposed to be a gap. It is deplorable the way Members on all sides are being treated. It is wrong and I wish to register my objection. I will not call a vote at this point because that would be...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: It is bad parliamentary practice.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I support the amendment in principle. It is the very point I raised on Second Stage. The triple lock mechanism does not include Seanad Éireann. If there was a method to provide for consultation with Seanad Éireann, that would be very welcome. The reason I did not table an amendment was that I was advised there was a constitutional prohibition of some kind. If a referendum of some sort...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: It comes as a considerable relief to myself and I am sure to other Members of the House that the Leader of the House, Senator Donie Cassidy, is not in a position to declare war.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I am aware of that. That was what the Minister said. I am simply taking him up on that and emphasising the point. It is curious that an amendment in my name was ruled out of order on the basis that it was outside the scope of the Bill, whereas the Fine Gael amendments, although apparently unconstitutional, were not ruled out of order and were permitted to be discussed. That appears to be...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: There are several Members - Senators Quinn and Ross. Would it not be useful for Senators Ross and Quinn to be in a position to comment directly? Is it a farce that we can make moltaí, which I understand is the Irish for recommendations, but we cannot make amendments. My final point is that we could not conceivably make a bigger balls of the economy than the present crowd have done.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: In that case, I will replace the word "balls" with the word "bags".

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Liathróidí.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: Before the Minister replies, I would like him to comment on one brief point. I believe there is a defect in his logic because he said that since we were not permitted a role in the major and most serious matter of declaring war, we are therefore debarred from having a role in a minor matter. I do not see the logic in that. I would have thought that it would be appropriate perhaps if we...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Nov 2009)

David Norris: I believe the Attorney General is incorrect in his view. I will tell the House precisely why and I can substantiate it. The Attorney General is relying on the absence of a requirement; he is not relying on a prohibition. I call on the Minister to take back to the Attorney General the undoubted fact that the 1937 Constitution is an organic entity. It did not stop on the day it was signed...