Results 7,841-7,860 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I will say what I have to say and you will have to put up with it. The European Parliament has passed a similar resolution, supported by 94% of MEPs, requiring a total ban. However, the United Kingdom will not do so. I insist on making this point. I am not ashamed to mention the UK authorities in this context. They have withheld information, including scientific information, on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I have a question which I wish to address to the House, the Leader, the Cathaoirleach and the Government. Are we going to be a Europe of the people or a Europe of the banks? We have heard a great deal about reassurance. It has been stated that we must reassure the banks, the bondholders and our European neighbours, several of which have taken the opportunity to stab us in the back now that...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2010)

David Norris: We want a European Community not a European economy.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Mr. Rehn has clearly indicated that the agreement is contingent on certainty flowing from the passing of the budget. For that reason it is very important that it is passed. That will provide us with certain opportunities, for example, to fling off some of the parasites of the political body in the Lower House. I refer to people who pose as Independents but who are, in fact, very happy to...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2010)

David Norris: They have never needed more than they do now the reassurance of decency, integrity and standards in public life.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Therefore, it is okay to say, "Hear, hear," when the Senator is speaking.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I wish I could agree with Senator Keaveney that the international media was hanging on our every word, as I doubt it. My more modest wish is that the Irish media would occasionally pay a little bit of attention to the House, but that is unlikely as long as we run it like the Ballymagash amateur musical and drama society. The named officers of the House are responsible for that, so I must...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I have some idea of who is on it. I want to know who are behind the hedge funds. They are gambling against us. I want to know who is operating in the markets. A market is where items are bought and sold. The future of the Irish people is being bought and sold over their heads. It is slavery and nothing else.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: We should listen to people like David McWilliams. Yesterday, I referred to the solution, namely, a shares for equity swap in the banks. It would wipe out €120 billion. David McWilliams was discussing it again this morning. He was right. We should consider doing this. It is perfectly clear to even a two year old that one does not solve a debt crisis by miring oneself endlessly in...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: As long as the Government refuses to listen to creative solutions, we will fall further into the mire. It will pinch. I honour and respect my colleagues from all sides of the House who pointed to where this will hurt. It is not an abstract question. It is about people losing jobs and homes. Yesterday, others and I attended the launch of the White Ribbon Campaign. It is called "The Other...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Ryan. However, I do not welcome this legislation. These are utilities which should provide maximise service to the public. I do not believe this will happen under this legislation. We have had the example of Eircom in respect of which we had forelock-tugging to abstract notions of privatisation and of competition. Where has competition got us in that...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Let the Minister take note that we are a united House for once.

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: On a point of information, the Minister of State has chivalrously reduced his speaking time in order that he can hear other Members. Will this debate be rolled over from today?

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: There is a changing of the guard. I welcome my old friend from "Operation Transformation" and bid a sad farewell to my friend, the Green Party Minister of State. It does not matter much who is sitting in for the Government because this is not a terribly serious debate. I asked at the beginning whether it would be rolled over to another day and I was assured it would. I was on my way home...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)

David Norris: We got scrutiny back for NAMA thanks to Senator O'Toole's amendment.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (25 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Bang on.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2010)

David Norris: In view of the very difficult economic circumstances it is very interesting to see that 500 to 600 people were in the ballroom of the Shelbourne Hotel yesterday bidding for the Bank of Ireland art collection. That shows there is still money in the country but it is spread around very unevenly. I welcome the fact that the Irish Museum of Modern Art was given the opportunity to choose items...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2010)

David Norris: -----so students and their families do not always have to go through this anxious time. It hits a lot of people. At the moment politics is being played in Brussels with the farm grant. Because of a dispute between the Commission and the Parliament grant payments will be further held up. Farmers are threatened. They are getting low prices for their produce. Now there is going to be a...