Results 1,061-1,080 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: If Members are worried about the developments next to Farmleigh the first thing they should do is stop undermining An Taisce by attacking it viciously here. That is the statutory body in this area and this is what we will get, and we will get much more of it, if we do not stop our ignorant attacks on that body. I look forward to a debate in which I can defend An Taisce.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I have several questions. I compliment Senator Ryan on picking up on the point I made yesterday about passports. A statement was issued by the State Department in Washington that these personnel would be travelling on diplomatic passports. That is where this matter arose. The Leader should consider withdrawing No. 1 from the Order Paper. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: When will we take No. 23, motion No. 18, on Tibet? It should be dealt with now because of an answer given to Senator Terry here within the last two weeks. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, read into the record a statement that Ireland recognises Tibet as an integral part of China. It is vital that we now have such a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Yes. Amendment put.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Will the matter be looked into because I think there should be a cancellation button or a cancellation procedure?

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Yes, but there should be a button that allows Members to abstain.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I strongly support what Senator Cummins said. This is a mean-minded proposal. Will the Minister tell the House what is the motivation and the morality behind it? What is the reasoning and justification for it? Is it merely tidying up in order to save certain small sums of money, and they are pathetically small? The editorial in yesterday's Irish Independent said it is taking away the widows'...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: She will not do it if Fine Gael keeps barking at her.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: We must encourage her and, dare I say it, seduce her into doing the right thing. One would have to be made of stone not to have been touched by the contributions some widows made on television programmes. There was a lollipop lady who had worked all her life and her husband had also contributed. She is out of work during the summer when the schools are closed. What is she going to do? She is...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: The Minister is aware that people are milking the system and earning €2,000 or €3,000 of taxpayers' money per day. Even on non-sitting days, the State is happy enough to give barristers a couple of thousand euro. We are taking a couple of cent from people to whom it really makes a difference. Further thought should be given to this provision and the one that arises later in the Bill. I...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: What was it if it was not the Senator's hand?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: Not by me.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: That is not correct. My father died in 1950, but if my mother had died my father would have received a housekeeper's allowance. The Minister is not correct in that respect.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I ask the Minister to read into the record of the House the comments of the judges in that case.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: They had a lot more than that to say.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I accept what the Minister said, but it is worthwhile pointing out that they said it was mean.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I understand the Minister is not made out of stone. She is a very decent human being and she is a good Minister.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: She is in an unfortunate position at present because, unquestionably, she is being squeezed by some tough guys around the place in other Departments. I point out to the Minister that I did not engage in any partisan action and I specifically made that point.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I felt it was a mistake. We should all support the Minister in trying to get an easement of this situation. I understand that political parties would wish to do that and to exploit a situation but my concern is not with partisan advantage in which I have no interest anyway, apart from the fact that it would not benefit me one way or the other — I am quite open about it. The real nub of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

David Norris: I have not finished the point so I do not know how the Leas-Chathaoirleach would know that unless he is a prophet.