Results 8,341-8,360 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Let him do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: As a neutral observer of the sometimes acrimonious altercations between Opposition and Government, can the Government make a statement indicating precisely what are the differences between this and the previous Administration?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: It seems to me there is no difference at all. I have a great deal of sympathy for Senator Bacik because she must be experiencing a very unpleasant sensation of déjÀ vu. She introduced a climate change Bill in the last session and was advised by Friends of the Earth, which issued a strong statement condemning the Government. It does not swallow the situation. It was obvious during the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: We also have the question of student fees.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Having accepted that as a bogus point of order, I assume I will get injury time to reply because it was not my contribution, rather it was that of Senator Bacik. On the question of student fees, I am asking for a response-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: I appreciate that. I am not impugning your-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach must take cognisance of the fact after the inappropriate intervention occurred.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Before he was Minister, we witnessed the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, signing a document to ensure there would be no increase in student fees. Not only will there be fees, there will be a cap-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: We are going into the information world and knowledge economy but there will be a cap on students. I join colleagues in raising the issue of the disastrous abuse of alcohol in our society. I am pleased that not only the Taoiseach, but also the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Róisín Shortall, have indicated their intention to take action in this regard. They are...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

David Norris: I would like to support the comments made by the Fianna Fáil group leader in this House, Senator Darragh O'Brien, about the refusal of some financial institutions to pass the reduction in the ECB rate on to their customers. It is outrageous behaviour on the part of the banks, particularly National Irish Bank, the public perception of which is that it has a very unsavoury record. If Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: We have heard a good deal about fairly local aspects of the financial situation but I contend there is a more serious situation, that is, the general one. So far, it appears no one has mentioned the fact that Italian bonds are at more than 7% and we face the prospect of a total meltdown in Europe. There is complete confusion and a total lack of leadership. Frau Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: An old Fianna Fáil tradition.

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: I do not wish to be impolite in interrupting the Minister but are copies of her speech available?

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: I thank the Minister for that. I was just questioning the rota for speakers which seems to be curious.

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: When I raised this point, the Minister noticed I was speaking to the Chair and misunderstood what I was doing. The order appears to be extraordinary. By the time I speak, five speakers from the Government side will have spoken and only one from this side. If Senator Healy Eames speaks before me, six or seven Government speakers will have contributed before anyone from this side speaks,...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Nov 2011)

David Norris: We are bound by the rules. However, I thank Senator Zappone for her gracious offer.