Results 7,001-7,020 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I asked the Minister if there were other precedents in financial life.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I welcome Senator Kieran Phelan to the Chair; it is the first time that I have been subjected to his benevolent rule.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: As one would expect from a gentleman from his part of the country.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: He is definitely from Queen's County as were my ancestors. Enough of this nonsense. I am not unusually gifted in mathematics or in the computation of tax figures. All I remember is what affects me. I am not sure whether this means I should be ruled out of order for having a vested interest but I can make a point to the Minister. I was employed for quite a number of years by the College of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I have been approached by the dental profession from two angles. There has been a very considerable diminution of their income, and they feel that dentists who rely largely on the operation of this scheme will be put out of business. I am a little bit less sympathetic to them on that issue. However, I have had subsequent communication from them which indicates the benefit to society of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: They will continue.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I agree with the general sentiment that it is time we moved on. We have spoken at length about the dental situation but the optical situation is also significant. Three or four years ago I visited an optician seeking a change of prescription. The optician told me to see a specialist, which I did, and I was told that I had macular degeneration of the retina. In my case this is...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I think the Minister said it was €54 million.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: If I did not think it might be taken up as a slur, I would say that some of my best friends are dentists. I am not inimical to their making a living. I have also received some very good dental treatment in this country. In general, I accept the Minister's point that the tests are still available to the disadvantaged but we then move into a situation where they are disadvantaged if they seek...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: On a point of order, can the Cathaoirleach confirm that all Stages are being taken and if so, whether there will be a break between the end of Committee Stage and Report Stage to provide for the eventuality that some people may wish to put forward Report Stage amendments.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Without a break.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I wish to raise a point of order. I was in my office listening to the debate but I have never heard anything like the way in which the Cathaoirleach intervened to tell a Member of this House it was not appropriate for him to ask a specific and clear question germane to the debate. I understand the advice given was that the Attorney General apparently has said we are not entitled in this...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Will the Leas-Chathaoirleach look at the record and refer it to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because if the Attorney General has given such advice, he must be confronted?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: Yes, as a matter of urgency.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I strongly support Senator Prendergast and I am very much of the same opinion. Furthermore, the whole democratic process has been undermined by the Government's behaviour in the other House. This amendment was put on Thursday evening last and was not reached or even discussed in the other House because the Bill was guillotined.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am aware of that. I am speaking on the section.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I am speaking about the effect of the amendment on the section. It would be ridiculous if Senators could not do so as one would then be required to repeatedly say the words "section 14". One must be allowed to discuss the-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: I was giving a hypothetical example. This is a serious issue. As far as I am aware, virtually the entire section is an amendment. Is that not correct? If, as I believe, the section is an amendment to the Bill, I am entitled to refer to it as an amendment. This is by no means the first time the Department of Social and Family Affairs has acted in this manner. It is disgraceful and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: It is €19 per week.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

David Norris: The Minister is completely wrong. The people in question have a perfect entitlement to be in the country. While they may not have an entitlement to citizenship or asylum, they have every entitlement to be here. I ask the Minister to acknowledge that is the case.