Results 7,101-7,120 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: Yesterday I offered my congratulations to Trinity College for hosting a meeting of the Joint Committee on the Constitution. This morning, however, I wish to withdraw my congratulations. A letter from the college's department of political science purporting to invite me to the meeting revealed that its professors know sweet damn all about practical politics. It states that the proceedings...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: This is the Order of Business. I am making an important point about the insulting way in which the Seanad is being treated. I have never seen a professorial snout in the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I beg the Senator's pardon.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: She is not a member of the department of politics.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: The professors inform me in the letter about who will be on the platform. They have no right to do so and they do not understand the Constitution or Standing Orders. Every Member of the Oireachtas has a right to sit in and contribute to any joint committee. I discussed this matter with the Chairman of the committee, Deputy Ardagh, who shares my feelings about it. The second paragraph of...

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I very much welcome the motion. The issue has the attention of the Irish people and it is on the political agenda as well. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs had an interesting and useful discussion on this subject this afternoon, in the presence of representatives of Haven, Concern and various other organisations. The delegates were looking for aid etc. They pleaded for practical...

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I am sorry, I meant to refer to Senator Hannigan. What a blooper.

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: There is a very big difference. One might say it is the difference between right and left. Senator Hannigan mentioned the meeting in Davos to me. At today's meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, I said it is obscene that the International Monetary Fund has dared to respond to the Haitian earthquake by offering loans to that impoverished country. Haiti has so much debt that it...

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

David Norris: Do I hear a "but"?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I raise, first, a matter concerning education which I would like the Leader to raise with the Minister for Education and Science. As a result of a decision by the HEA, there is a proposal to phase out by 2014 the plastering course in the Dublin Institute of Technology. We are privileged to work in this beautiful Chamber, Mr. Michael Stapleton's masterpiece. There is a tradition of European...

Seanad: Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010: Second Stage (28 Jan 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister. I will follow Senator Ó Brolcháin - it is what I had intended to say, but I will say it again, perhaps more vigorously - in that the Bill is a form of reaction. We should be grateful to Shell to Sea, without which we would not have this Bill. Shell Oil did not appear to take locals' concerns on board and was either blissfully unaware or uncaring of the safety...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: Can the Leader give us any information on the privacy Bill which we have been promised but for which no date has been given? I was one of those who took a very clear stand on the defamation and libel legislation when it was brought before this House. I raise the issue in the context of the Lillis manslaughter case. A person involved in that case, Ms Jean Treacy, was described in unpleasant...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: It is not.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: I make the point not about the case but about the press coverage of the case. It is a vital point which I need to make at this time. What is the public interest in knowing the names of this person's parents and siblings, their addresses, occupations and the number of children they have? This is completely wrong. I ask the Press Council to look at this issue. There are some very decent...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: The church.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: That is where we heard it previously.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: I presume the Senator supports the rights of children in gay marriages then.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome Senator Butler's contribution because he showed a flexible approach and said although the Bill was very welcome in general, there were certain details which might need to be tweaked. The Minister of State is amenable and I hope he will allow this House to exercise its proper function in assisting him by tweaking the Bill and making some of the...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Feb 2010)

David Norris: It was not the Opposition but the loyal Independents.