Results 10,561-10,580 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2013)

David Norris: I shall be writing to him.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (17 May 2013)

David Norris: I commend the Chairman for his clear and decisive chairing and indicate to my colleagues that buffoonery almost invariably tends to discredit a viewpoint, however well intentioned.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Heads of Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013: Public Hearings (17 May 2013)

David Norris: It is very much welcome that the Title of the Bill includes the words "protection of life" as it provides space for the many of us in the Oireachtas who are strongly pro-life and also strongly pro-choice. It is a timid step and very little, very late. I regret that it does not deal with fatal foetal abnormality, incest, rape and the health of a woman. If it was the health of a man, there...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: I shall resist the temptation to deal with any of the tempting morsels, such as abortion and the protection of human life during Pregnancy Bill, because people are so polarised. I will also resist the case of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, although I would be interested to know what other public figures he has felt free to smear in the last couple of years. However, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: Yes, I am asking for a debate on this subject because of the very great seriousness of the implications of this kind of legislation. There was also a great deal of well-intentioned intervention from the forum platform. Things were said, one such being that it was gravely concerned about involving the convention in a current political controversy. Why, for God's sake?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: The chairman said he feared this would have consequences for our independence. It most certainly would. It would show we were independent. Ms Nora Owen spoke to me and the chairman afterwards and said that at a crucial time in the Northern Ireland talks the two sides attending were presented with a rigid agenda by the two Governments. They decided to extend the agenda against the wishes...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: I thought she was targeted. The information was leaked. Do not defend corruption that has occurred.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: The Senator should withdraw the presumption that it is appropriate to handcuff a Member of the Oireachtas after they have not been found guilty.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: So was mine.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

David Norris: It is not true of all gardaí but the evidence is clear in the case of Deputy Clare Daly.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

David Norris: I will take only three minutes. I thank Senator Barrett for so generously sharing his time with me, in particular for allowing me to speak first. I compliment Senator O'Keeffe on putting a human face on these events, which is often a difficult thing to do.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

David Norris: I come from a slightly different background to many people in that on my mother's side I come from an old Gaelic Irish family who were comfortable and proud to be British and Irish and saw no contradiction in it.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Mac Conghail that the arts can play a significant role with regard to the 1913 Lock-out. The RTE broadcast of Barry McGovern reading Strumpet City was immensely powerful. I am glad that the Minister has stated that this will be a diverse commemoration. I recall with horror the 1966 celebration, which was a grotesque, triumphalist celebration from which anybody who was...

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

David Norris: -----not only because of the anniversary of the Civil War but because it will be the 100th anniversary of the Seanad. It would be damaging for our entire cultural and political life if the Seanad were abolished.

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

David Norris: Reference was made to President Michael D. Higgins. This House was good enough for our current President, former President Mary Robinson, who was one of our greatest Presidents and should be good enough for the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, also. I am inspired by my good friend, Senator Paul Coghlan. I was too bashful to mention the Fitzpatrick-Mac Giolla Phádraig families. In terms of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

David Norris: I commend Senator MacSharry on bringing this matter before the House, and I note with satisfaction the presence of the Minister because it is good to have a senior Cabinet Minister with us in Seanad Éireann for this kind of debate. I also welcome the Minister's attitude towards the entire issue of moneylending, one he made clear during the passage of the insolvency legislation, when I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

David Norris: I would like to ask about the human trafficking Bill because I disapprove of the practice that is growing of taking all Stages together. Since this will obviously happen I ask the Leader to make sure that it happens as infrequently as possible and if there will be an opportunity to table amendments. It is important that we should be allowed to amend the Bill, particularly in light of organ...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (23 May 2013)

David Norris: I am very glad to see the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, once again ensconced with us. I wish to put on record my gratitude to the Leader of the House. On the Order of Business I made the point that I would be unhappy if the Bill went through all Stages today because I wished to table some amendments for Report Stage. I will indicate these shortly in order that the Minister of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (23 May 2013)

David Norris: I see. I thank the Acting Chairman. I was misinformed in that case. However, my point survives. I have had things ruled out without explanation. One can sustain an argument that any amendment of any kind will create a cost on the Exchequer because plainly it does, even if one is reduced to saying there is a cost involved in printing the actual amendment. It is nonsense. Let us pass on...