Results 8,461-8,480 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I thank Senator Barrett for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the Bill which has three main proposals, including the creation of a new utility. I hope there is no intention to sell it off down the road, similar to what happened in Britain. However, it is unlikely. I have no difficulty with a water charge. It is a question of the consumer paying, not the...

Seanad: Water Services: Statements (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: That is ridiculous. I hope that it will be avoided in this case and I will support the Minister in fighting that should it come around. It is astonishing that more than 50% of the money due from businesses is not collected. Some of the heaviest users of waters are in the distilling industry. They use massive volumes of water in the distillation of whiskey and if they are among those who do...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to the House. He is an unusually good choice for this portfolio and I know he will do well in it. There have been some difficulties concerning free third-level fees and I know that a former Labour Minister introduced them. However, I always thought that was an ugly, oxymoronic phrase; either education is free or one pays fees. It is as simple...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: -----they will be vigorous in pursuing the area of disadvantage. I will end on this point. Even though I do not come from the wonderful County Donegal, the Larkin school and Marlborough Street, where the wonderful Breaking the Cycle project was introduced, are in my area. We must have this basis. The first doctor, lawyer, teacher and Deputy from these areas, rather than those involved in...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I have been there on a number of occasions and I hope to revisit.

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (25 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I commend Senators Mary Ann O'Brien and O'Donnell on their passionate advocacy of one of the most important issues facing this country. It is notable that they were among the imaginative nominations by the Taoiseach but they have the courage to speak out independently. Nothing could offer greater justification for the continuation of this Seanad in whatever form it may take. I was moved by...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I support what Senator Fiach Mac Conghail said. I was here and took part in that debate. It was one of the best I have ever been involved in. There were two amendments, one in the name of the Government and one in the name of Sinn Féin. It is significant that they were both withdrawn. The Minister of State accepted what was said graciously and spoke passionately on the issue. As a...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Senators may be surprised to find I am interested in farming but my grandfather was a farmer and my maternal ancestors had land in County Laois for many centuries. I compliment the Minister on the work he has been doing and I am glad the Government has negotiated some improvement in fisheries. Like other Senators, I received a document from the IFA which showed that farm incomes have...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: It is a debate, so I would say we should allow him to ask questions.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: It was a very useful and informative rant and I compliment the Minister on it.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: And on free range branding.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I thank the Minister. I appreciate it.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I apologise if I repeat anything that has been said already. I intended no discourtesy by my absence from the Chamber for the beginning of the debate. I had to undergo a minor medical procedure and the surgeon was only available today. I came here as quickly as I could. I have a major aversion to the word "stakeholder". I know what it means, but I do not like it. However, I suppose it is...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I thank the Senator. I would be concerned if there was a question of a block interest. The Senator probably corrected the matter after I had spoken on the last occasion. To my mind, if we have individual volunteers making up the board, they have a very important contribution to make. However, if there are people sitting on multiple boards simply to represent particular interests, I have...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I should explain that the schools to which I refer were outside that system.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: The Minister spoke about getting a definition of "consultation". Will he have this for Report Stage?

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: When are we likely to have it?

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: Regulation?

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (31 Jan 2012)

David Norris: I see. In that case I quite like my idea of having sought agreement. I thank the Minister for his good wishes and I hope the person involved was a psychic because he removed a lump and stated he did not think it was malignant.