Results 781-800 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: I join my colleagues who expressed concern about the situation in Europe, with France and Germany behaving in a cavalier fashion. It is a pity our Minister supported them in this action – I wish he had the courage to vote against them. In respect of stem cell research, I will be very glad when this debate is over. I have heard such nonsense on the airwaves. If we are not careful they will...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: There is one matter I would like to raise and I am sure it is something about which both the Cathaoirleach and the Leader will be concerned. Outside this Chamber we have a portrait of Constance Markievicz who was one of the founders of this State. Her house and contents have recently been put up for sale and there is some controversy about that. That controversy is justified in view of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: It is important to correct that. A generation of my mother's family died out nursing people with Famine fever. It is easy to try to paint a whole group of such people in society with that type of tar.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: There is quite a degree of consensus on the amendment and I hope this will be sufficient to persuade the relevant people to consider it. Apart from anything else, this is a question of qualifications. Like many other people, I have received e-mails in the last week or two offering me PhDs in various subjects if I send on my credit card number. One group has awarded me the American Medal of...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: Why can it not be dealt with in this House?

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: There is international recognition of degrees at university level.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (25 Nov 2003)

David Norris: It should have been completed before the Bill was presented to the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: There has been a certain amount of light-hearted banter about the indiscipline among Government ranks, but I do not take any pleasure in it. It is serious and regrettable.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: This is the result of situations such as the one in which the Taoiseach should have fired the Minister for Defence, Deputy Smith, straight away.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: I am particularly worried about the Cork Fianna Fáil Deputy who indicated, according to the newspaper, that he would take his guidance on stem cell research from the Roman Catholic Church.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: In democratic terms, it is wrong. It is another significant attempt at interference by the Vatican, as has happened several times in recent decades.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: This is a slightly different point, a Chathaoirligh. The Papal Nuncio should be called in and reprimanded for interference in the internal affairs of an independent country. Many Members are concerned about the continuing abuse by the American Government of the human rights of those interned in Guantanamo Bay. This is a matter about which the House should be concerned. The people who are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: They are not entitled to instruct members of Parliament on how to vote. This is what they are attempting to do and the Senator knows it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: Hear, hear. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: Judge Steyn.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: Do I have ten, seven, six, five, four, three, two or one minutes remaining?

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: Is it ten minutes, or seven? I am on flexi-time.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: I have a copy of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament pre-budget submission which raises the issue of the 35,000 carers who provide more than 50 hours a week but receive nothing. There is a means test for them which is incredibly mean – it is a mean test. People devote their lives to looking after elderly relatives but if they dumped them on the State it would cost dear. Why not be flexible...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2004: Statements. (26 Nov 2003)

David Norris: We ought to go in that direction, with a bit of imagination and decency. I was rather amused by one who talked about the "young disabled" whose definition of "young" went straight to my heart because it is from 18 to 65 years. I have another five years of youth stretching in front of me. That is wonderful and for that reason alone I would enter a plea on behalf of this group.