Results 9,981-10,000 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, I object to this strongly because we are supposed to be concentrating on a specific item and the Member opposite is not so concentrating.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I suggest we ignore the rulings of the Chair. We should bypass them by taking the matter into our own hands. We should persist in discussing the relevant issues in defiance of the fact that all of this has been ruled out of order. If necessary, we should all get ourselves thrown out. We should discuss the substance of the Bill in the interests of those affected by it. It is a disgrace...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: There is no legal basis for this.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: The Chair has acted illegally and, therefore, forfeited the Chair's authority.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I ask Seanad Éireann to do its duty by discussing these matters and, if necessary, absolutely ignoring the Chair.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Report Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: A vote was deliberately avoided.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I have it and it is only this size in the middle of my screen and the rest of it is black. I have four stations which is plenty.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I take that as a compliment as it was no doubt intended to be.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I would not touch anything tainted by the ghastly claws of Rupert Murdoch.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: The Minister is coming across as very reasonable indeed. There is a dialogue going on and that is very valuable. There are people at a critical stage and we all recognise that. The Minister has indicated the sensitivities in this area as well. There are people who have a certain amount of money. Then there are people who have a great deal of money, apparently. I gather the Prada...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: It was in this House that Senator Darragh O'Brien introduced the pyrite Bill and during one of the debates on pyrite the suggestion was made about an exemption. Perhaps it was from there that the Minister took it up. I would like to think so because it would suggest a positive relationship in terms of making good suggestions in the Seanad.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Is that just on the pyrite issue or would it be possible for Senators to send in the substance of the amendments we may not reach today?

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Splendid. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I want to make a brief contribution. Recently, I received a briefing on this issue from groups representing the voluntary housing associations. The Minister said his reasoning was that he wished to ensure an equitable regime. There are voluntary housing projects and there is accommodation for people with special needs. I doubt anyone would resent that. In fact, I took the trouble to...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Yes, but the representation that was made to me suggested that this would cause some disquiet where the housing type was the same. I do not know if that is the case, but it is welcome that the Minister has indicated he will look at these matters again. I will pass on the submission I received in case he has not already been given it. It may well be that he has. Voluntary housing...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Those on low incomes.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (20 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Those on low incomes.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

David Norris: The judge made his reasons very clear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

David Norris: I strongly support calls for a debate on sentencing. It would be very interesting to consider the possibility of an independent sentencing committee but my colleagues should be very careful before being driven by sensational tabloid newspaper headlines. It is very unfair to the Judiciary and victims. The young woman in this case showed extraordinary courage in the most appalling...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

David Norris: Yes, but I am making the point which must be made in defence of the Judiciary-----