Results 7,481-7,500 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: My colleagues, Senators Ó Murchú, Hanafin, Walsh and Mullen, waxed eloquently, if misguidedly and irrationally, about conscience. I invite them to join me in voting against the Bill if their consciences are real and it is not just a stunt. I will vote against the Bill because, as it stands, it will do violence against children. Let them take the consequences, if they have such consciences.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I support the calls of various Members for a debate on the question of integrity in politics and the current situation regarding one Member of this House. While Senator Callely can be invited to make a statement, he cannot be compelled to do so. He was appointed by the Taoiseach, not elected, and I do not believe the Taoiseach has the power to remove him, although he may remove the whip. A...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I should like to hear this elucidated by the Deputy Leader. He is saying there will be extra sittings in July. The least we are entitled to is to be given some degree of information as to when in July we will be sitting. The Order of Business in this House is absolutely chaotic.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I thank the Deputy Leader for that clarification.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: If I am correct, this has to do with the commencement date of 1 July. This is extremely important because I have been advised that the Bill will not carry the same weight in supporting the bio-fuel industry, particularly in the Wexford-Waterford area, if the commencement date is not fixed clearly as 1 July. I have just received the amendments and I am assuming that is the case. Will the...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: It will commence on that date.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: While I understand the prudent caution of Senator O'Reilly, I am fairly confident in the young but very dynamic bio-fuels industry that has been established particularly in the region of County Wexford. It is important we understand that this is within the European context and it is a requirement under European directives among other things. That makes this very important legislation...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: As I understand it, this will include additional materials and not those originally contemplated such as fuel oils. I very much welcome that. With the indulgence of the House, I would like to tell the Minister a story.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: Not only is there an end to it, more importantly there is a point to it which relates directly to these amendments. Last week, I flew down to Cork and was driven to the Sacred Heart school in Clonakilty. I saw a number of exciting transition year projects there, but one of them relates directly to this. I felt extraordinary hope in the young people of Ireland when I met a group of young...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (3 Jun 2010)

David Norris: Good. I now come back to my old pals who have been briefing me - Green Biofuels. They are exploring ways to produce bio-fuel from algae and seaweed. They are following the lead of the transition year students in the Sacred Heart school in Clonakilty. They are involved in a research and development project into the use of algae and seaweed oils as raw materials for bio-fuel production....

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Fitzgerald regarding her concern about the state of the country's finances and the reports we have received and it is a pity that these inquiries will not take in what one might call "the night of the long fangs" when the bankers secretly visited the sources of power here and sank their teeth into the bank accounts of ordinary, decent citizens. I look forward to some...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I voted against it, too.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: Do not challenge the system.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: Speaking as a reasonably intelligent but unqualified observer of financial matters, there seems to be nothing new in either report. They confirm what any person with average intelligence could have said and rightly did say. They are not explosive in terms of their intellectual content, irrespective of the political reception with which they were met. Reference, some charming, has been made...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: During May and June 2007 an inspection of commercial property lending in Bank A found that 28% of the loans had breached the bank's credit policy, but inspectors reported no high priority issues. Nearly one third of the bank's loans were rotten, yet they were not worried about them. In December 2007 inspectors were told that lenders had no concerns about the ability of five large commercial...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: It is extraordinary that we should not investigate this and that there should be an absence of documentation about the most serious decisions for the financial future of this country that were ever taken.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: It is just unbelievable, and the Minister continues to state there might be some slight Government involvement but it was really all about the macro-economic situation——

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

David Norris: I thank Senator Coghlan very much.