Results 7,961-7,980 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Connick. I wish to comment on the speech of his immediate predecessor in that seat today, namely, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, who made a valiant stand on television last night but whose speech today requires closer examination. He stated that without this programme our ability to continue to fund essential public services such as...

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I just paid the Minister of State a little compliment but now I am picking his speech to pieces. I listened to the emollient tones of the oleaginous Mr. Chopra on the wireless telling us what good, brave, little soldiers we were, that he had every confidence in us. That was patronising in the extreme. When he said we got a "good deal" I knew he was telling lies because this is an...

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

David Norris: As a negotiating ploy, we could threaten them with it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Cathaoirleach, I find your rulings increasingly extraordinary. One thing is perfectly clear: I have been stopped for using pretty mild language. Lying is outlawed in every parliament in this Continent. If you cannot see it then there is something very seriously wrong with this House and with your rulings in particular. I am horrified by it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: With regard to the bank guarantee, I share my colleagues' concern. I voted against the guarantee. I also asked several pertinent questions. I asked about the exact amount of the guarantee, which was some €440 billion. Then I asked the Minister and his advisers our gross national product for the previous year. They did not know and had to go out and make a telephone call. Is that not...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I want to end on a positive note. There were some wonderful programmes on television last night. I hope RTE which is consistently under attack will be supported and given money to develop creative programmes. Last night "Nationwide" carried a wonderful celebration of the magnificent institution, The Munster Express, a report on a young farmer with cystic fibrosis-----

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: -----as well as a report on a lady of certain years in County Laois. It was a wonderful and inspiring programme.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Let us have more home-produced programmes and less of the tripe bought in from abroad.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2010)

David Norris: On a point of order, I had to rush to the Chamber to take part in the division because the division bell never rang in my office. Neither did it ring in the offices of my secretary or Senator O'Toole, both of which I was in. It was my secretary who pointed out to me that a division had been called.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2011: Statements (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: It is difficult to know what to say on an occasion such this. I was in the Visitors Gallery of the Dáil yesterday, as were many of my colleagues, listening and witnessing what happened as the budget was presented by a man with whom I have a professional friendship and whom I respect and like, Deputy Brian Lenihan. What appalled me was the spurious air of formality given by the production...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: The only comment on which I can agree with my colleague and friend, Senator Mary White, is that the Taoiseach has clearly demonstrated that Ireland is a place in which to do business. If one wants to rape a country, get every available asset and screw the people to the wall, it is a case of "Come on in, the shop is open," because that is what has happened under this Administration. I take no...

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: It is not rubbish. I was here. I witnessed what happened and heard who was, apparently, giving a direction. The Leader was plainly confused.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: The cameras never lie and I might rely on photographic evidence, but I will not be sidetracked. Look at what happened the other day when I wanted to have the House adjourned under Standing Order 30. In the aftermath of the memorandum of understanding through which the Government sold out in the most unconscionable way, I was told it was not a matter of national urgency.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: That was patently absurd and I happen to know that that decision did not come from the Cathaoirleach. That is an abrogation of democratic principles in this House. Is it any wonder the people have given up on Fianna Fáil? The party is at 13% in the polls.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I will withdraw it, but I will not withdraw the comment that Fianna Fáil is at 13% in the polls. It might be a pity. The Senators opposite are decent and good people, but 87% of the public do not seem to have much confidence in the party.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: Whom did the Leas-Chathaoirleach think I was addressing?

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: In that case, I humbly apologise and will address the Chair once more.

Seanad: Confidence in Government: Motion (8 Dec 2010)

David Norris: I do. Senator Mary White has said people are wondering if Fianna Fáil party members do not have confidence in the leader. How can they? It is not a question of confidence in the Government. People do not have confidence in the Government because it has done exactly what I said would happen almost three years ago when it started to disable every organisation which had tried to speak out...