Results 681-700 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

David Norris: Of course it is a compliment. I admire parliamentary skill. Will he assure me about a conflict between this legislation and the Irish Constitution because of the difference in definition of "organ of the State"? I am interested in that and then I will let it go.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

David Norris: That is called "Blame the PD". Amendment put and declared lost.

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, lines 27 and 28, to delete "on any question in respect of which that Court has jurisdiction". I am giving the Government an opportunity to re-think this issue and come back to the House. It is a question of the proofs involved and legal procedure and so on. It is a technical amendment. I made all the arguments on Committee Stage and I do not have any new...

Seanad: European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (24 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I move amendment No. 5: In page 5, to delete lines 29 to 31 and substitute the following:

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: Would it be possible to have a debate on the drugs problem, particularly as it affects our cities? I have recently become aware of the development of a potential epidemic of crack cocaine in the city of Dublin, which underlies some of the poor behaviour on our streets. A special task force should be established to combat this problem before it gets completely out of hand. Dublin has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: However, Maureen Gaffney was interviewed on the radio this morning by Marian Finucane and she discussed it in some detail. The principal issue is that this independent body will make strong recommendations to Government that there should be legislation along the lines of domestic partnerships. As I said previously, the House could play a role in that regard. I have convened a small committee...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: That is incredible. I cannot believe that we are going to put up with this kind of nonsense. There is no doubt that it is a gravy train for lawyers, which is particularly unfortunate in circumstances where, as colleagues have pointed out, there are serious shortages and where ordinary people are feeling the pinch, yet we see lawyers – on whom I wish no ill – smiling all the way to the bank.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I really do not think that is appropriate. It will not be of the slightest use if it takes another 15 years because anybody that might be impugned will be safely buried by then.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: It should be debated on the ground.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: The Senator should not have an operation.

Seanad: Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed). (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I am grateful to Senator McCarthy for giving me this opportunity because I had not intended to say anything. However, I am happy to be able to do so. Deputies Martin and O'Malley are good and caring Ministers, but health is a poisoned chalice. It is one of the most difficult areas politically for any party to address. The problem is that more and more money is spent, but the customers are...

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I am very grateful to Senator Fitzgerald for sharing his time. I must be at the transport committee in a few minutes and that is why I asked to speak at this point. I believe in neutrality. It is possible to give certain definitions of it – the refusal to commit in advance to any military political bloc – and we are right to maintain this. With regard to Shannon, as my colleague, Senator...

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: —on the subject of neutrality and not giving it to us. I look forward to further discussions on this question of neutrality, but there is not much point in our getting involved. I would like to see the United Nations supported. What worries and concerns me is that the draining away of energy and resources and military capacity from the United Nations into these private armies, like the new...

Seanad: Military Neutrality: Motion. (25 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I wish my abstention to be recorded, a Chathaoirligh, because there was a political act that was quite deliberate. In the finest interests of neutrality—

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

David Norris: Would it be possible to contain Senator Leyden? (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I saw that gesture.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

David Norris: Without interruption and without fingers.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

David Norris: I strongly support Senator Brian Hayes in terms of what he said about Sellafield, particularly in light of the fact that in recent days radioactively contaminated salmon was found in supermarkets in Britain. This contamination came about as a result of a fish farming process where the fish were apparently fed with pellets made from fishmeal from fish caught in the Irish Sea. Any level of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jun 2003)

David Norris: This is a serious economic element of the fishing industry. It may appear frivolous, but that is not the case. Lobster and prawns, for example are exported from this country. One can get them in Paris but not here. If we treat our excellent raw materials with respect, it will help us to develop our tourist industry. Instead of giving tourists from abroad these little waterlogged efforts from...