Results 7,901-7,920 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, to the House, with which he is very familiar. I do not propose to score partisan political points, but that does not mean I will not have some criticisms to make. If the Minister of State's speech was his last in the House, he should note it was a fine one, although I did not agree with some of it. It was very clear that he spoke from the...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: It was a racist caricature and she should be ashamed of herself for describing us as beggars, cheats, liars and thieves. Is that the language used by a good neighbour? In spite of its not being so, Ms Toynbee's view is widely held underneath the soft parlance of the British Conservative Party. With regard to Mr. Chopra, in one jump we seem to have gone from snip to chop. His emollient...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: That is just too bad. I wish I had more time. There are certain areas on which we can focus. I have just been listening to a news report on RTE regarding the Kerry Group, which is a splendid organisation. The Kerry Group began as a little co-op and it now provides 23,000 jobs worldwide. It is to businesses of this sort that we should provide encouragement. The Minister of State said "It...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: I am doing so. What is being done with the National Pensions Reserve Fund is disastrous. There is a train crash coming down the line in respect of pensions and the EU and the IMF are being allowed to dip their nasty little fingers into this fund. I had hoped to speak after my colleagues, Senators O'Toole and Mullen. I do not have permission to move their amendment to the motion but I am...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Is it not appalling that multibillionaires are buying petrol for their yachts in Monte Carlo at the expense of the weakest in society? This is being done by reducing the hourly rate of the minimum wage by €1 and it is an utter moral scandal. We in this House should stand for decency and principles and for those who are at the lowest point on the scale. From what he said at the end of his...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: Senator Boyle has not heard the half of it yet.

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)

David Norris: The Senator might agree with much of it.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: This is another daft decision.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: It certainly was.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I note that exception was taken to the use of the word "asylum". An asylum is a place of refuge and we should remind ourselves that we are in such a place. We are very privileged to be Members of this House and we are insulated, especially from the weather which obtains outside at present. We should consider those who do not have our privileges and who are weak and vulnerable. I refer to...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: -----that in his view there is an argument to be advanced in respect of this matter under Article 29 of the Constitution. The Deputy may be the appropriate person to take the constitutional action to which I refer-----

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: -----and I hope he does so.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Is the Cathaoirleach quite sure that is the case?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I had understood that the Cathaoirleach ruled on this issue yesterday and that it was decided that the matter is not one which is susceptible to debate in the House. I am, therefore, astonished that Senator Callely feels free to raise it again, especially as the Cathaoirleach indicated yesterday that the matter is not appropriate to discuss it in the House. Perhaps my memory is wrong but...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: In that event, will the Cathaoirleach indicate if it is appropriate that this matter should be raised again in this manner and in this House by the Senator in question?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: On a point of order, it is important that the matter be clarified. Apparently, a ruling has been given which may be misguided and could create a precedent that would be dangerous for this House. On the point I raised - I do not intend to insult or denigrate Senator Callely in any way - there is a technical matter. First, the issue into which he wandered, having appropriately raised the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: It will be both at the same time.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Will the Leader address other serious points I raised? I raised some serious points about the proceedings in the House and the question of the economy. I would be grateful if the Leader dealt with those rather than dealing with an aside.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I would scarcely discuss the Leader's behaviour with Senator O'Toole. He is not a leader and I am a Whip.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2010)

David Norris: The invitation is patent nonsense.