Results 1,001-1,020 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I repeat my recent calls for a debate on foreign policy issues, particularly with regard to Haiti. The president of the University of Haiti has said every day that passes makes it clearer that the country is being occupied. This is a serious matter that we should look at in Ireland, as a friend of the United States. I ask for a debate on public health, particularly in our cities. There has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Hear, hear. Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: The Senator is right, it gets taxpayers' money.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: They might not be as good a waffler.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I second the motion and compliment Senator Ross on proposing it a second time. I also seconded the first proposal but on that occasion it did not come to a full discussion in the House. I lament the Government amendment. I remind the Government side that Senator Ross's earlier motion, which I was happy and proud to sign, was far stronger. Now he is calling for reform but, apparently, the...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: It was in The Irish Times. This perception of cronyism is clearly true in certain circumstances. I will give an example but will remove the name, although it has been supplied to me. A member of the Fianna Fáil ruling executive, whose expertise was in cranes rather than planes, is a perfect example of a political appointee whose fortunes as regards State directorships swing with those of his...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I accept the justification for having an externally appointed member of the college board because of the large amounts of taxpayers' money involved. The taxpayer is entitled to have somebody there to report back. That is a principle I can support, but it must be done in an open, transparent and clear way. If universities become independent then such appointments should no longer be made. As a...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I will address another issue, which I am sure my colleague, Senator Henry, will also look at, and which must be put on the record of the House. It concerns the board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the problems in regard to it, about which we had many debates in the House. Let us look at what happened in terms of political appointees in that case. It was exposed in a series of...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Governments of every hue engage in this last minute practice. When an election is lost, its prime objective is to place its own people onto boards before it goes out of office. It is a scandal and it brings government into disrepute.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I will not be told what to do by Senator White.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: People who did not have the required expertise were appointed to the board and serious gaps were left, which is a disgrace.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Yes, certainly. Ba mhaith liom a rá leis an Seanadóir de Faoite go n-aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Cast away.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Irish university is something——

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: None whatever.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Train.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: What a concession.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

David Norris: No.