Results 7,381-7,400 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: It is the content of the Minister of State's contribution that is important, not his posture.

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: He deserves to grin. He took a hell of a lot of risks.

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: On a point of order, the Minister of State has important comments to make. Would it be possible for them to be taken as read and included in the record if he has not finished after five minutes? Could we ask that they be taken as read and published, as they will have been circulated?

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment to the Department of Transport. Before he leaves the Chamber, I wish to comment on his observations regarding a hierarchy with pedestrians are at the top, cyclists next and then motorists. There is a degree of discrimination against motorists, which is regrettable. I live in the north inner city and it is virtually...

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: I am merely outlining my lived experience.

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: The facts do not support the argument that there is any real concern for mortality in the inner city. To have cars moving around the city at a crawl is absolutely idiotic. The position with regard to traffic speeds is chaotic. In Tallaght, for example, there is a three-lane highway on which a speed limit of 60 km/h applies. People could easily drive their cars at speeds of 100 km/h or 120...

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: Perhaps not when he is on his death bed, but we shall certainly find another opportunity to discuss this matter at a later date.

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

David Norris: The Minister of State gave an indication of strong support on the part of the Government for the metro. That is extremely important. His replacement, the former distinguished Senator and now Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is aware that the metro project originated in this House some years ago, when some of us used an unusual political...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2010)

David Norris: Yesterday, some of my colleagues joined me in the calls I have consistently made for the past six to eight months for some kind of questioning of the international ratings agencies. I congratulate "Morning Ireland" on catching up. It has started to raise this issue a mere six to eight months later. I am happy to provide ideas to the media. It is a very serious issue. These ratings...

Seanad: Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2010)

David Norris: Like hell.

Seanad: Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2010)

David Norris: That is misleading.

Seanad: Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2010)

David Norris: I also welcome the Minister of State and, like my colleagues, broadly welcome the Bill, although I have some reservations about it. I have already organised the tabling of amendments to it. The Minister of State outlined the background to the legislation, to which Senator Regan referred, namely, the European directive and the attempt by the Government to transpose it into Irish law. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2010)

David Norris: I have already had an opportunity to pay tribute to the late wonderful broadcaster, Gerry Ryan. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything more at this stage, apart from this. I was in a taxi yesterday and the taxi driver said he was disgusted because he had just passed the Ryan household in Clontarf and saw banks of photographers outside. In the house there was a grieving...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

David Norris: The Senator just beat me to it.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

David Norris: I wish to share my time with Senator Mullen, by agreement.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

David Norris: I will begin by outlining my credentials. I have never been a Minister and this is the only public office I have held. As I will not get a pension until I am gone from this House, I have nothing to gain and everything to lose by taking an unpopular position. The motion before the House is a load of hypocritical political opportunism and populism. I do not think it is even going to work...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

David Norris: Last week I had a cup of coffee with a decent fellow from a Government party who I will not name. He had been contacted by a journalist about a big Fianna Fáil meeting which was held recently in Killarney. When asked whether he had attended any of the caucus meetings, the journalist responded that he did not have to go because he knew what Fianna Fáil meetings are like. That man wrote...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

David Norris: Yes.