Results 1,261-1,280 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: On the situation in Aer Lingus, some speakers may have given the impression that Aer Lingus is being downgraded to a second rate airline, but I do not believe that. I have just returned to Ireland having taken several flights with Aer Lingus. Despite the fact that it has been pushed into a situation where the service is pared down in terms of the provision of meals and so on, in my experience...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I congratulate my colleagues, Senators Ross and O'Toole, on their work in drawing the situation in the auctioneering business to public attention and their success in regard to a commission. In addition to the point made effectively and ably by Senator Ross on the wireless this morning, he did the Seanad proud because he took up an issue the impact of which hits many young people in terms of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I would be very grateful if it were possible to allow even an hour for brief statements on this matter before the end of the session. If not, I would be grateful if the necessary time was allowed early in the new session.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: Are we taking the Equality Bill today?

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I am astonished to hear this from my distinguished colleague, Senator Brady, as he lives in the same constituency as I do. If Senator Brady is correct to say the amendments are the same, I support both of them because they look after the interests of vulnerable people. It is astonishing that a government can say it is not interested in having premises inspected. Senator Brady said he was not...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: He said there were not many of them.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: But they are very dangerous. We ought to join together and get after them.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: While I acknowledge that Senator Brady is a good worker in his constituency as he was when he was a member of the local authority, it is time we addressed this situation. In the constituency from which we both come, there is a very large number of asylum seekers and refugees living in sub-standard accommodation which is never inspected for fire hazards, health and safety. If the amendment...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I find the Minister of State's argument quite persuasive. The phrase "any action" is a portmanteau — it covers everything. On this occasion I agree with the Minister of State that by including this specification, we are, at best, creating a hierarchy and suggesting that these are the most important and, at worse, as the Minister of State said, suggesting to a person who will interpret this...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I would like to address this matter. My friend and colleague, Senator McCarthy, will speak on the matter because he drew it to my attention and has had correspondence on it. I will leave the substance of the argument to him. This definition of spouse and the reference to a person who is not a spouse or tenant but who cohabited with a tenant as husband and wife is clearly and explicitly...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: In that case, I am happy to be guided by you, Chairman.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: That is fine. I will sit down. I want to have time to discuss the substance of the matter.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: That is rubbish.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I am grateful to Senator McCarthy for highlighting this issue. It is a fundamentally important one. The Minister of State has not had an opportunity to address the issue fully. Nevertheless, I am glad he had an opportunity to put his first few paragraphs on the record because they worry me. The Minister of State said it is up to the people involved to enter into a joint tenancy agreement....

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: The Leader has made a generous intervention and the House should accept it.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I have no desire to antagonise the Minister of State, whom I know is a decent and caring, if somewhat conservative, gentleman. There is, however, an area here that we should examine. The Minister of State says that he has not been asked to look at this area. I am now formally requesting that he does so because it is such a glaring omission. I have no qualification in law but that has never...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I wish to make a brief comment.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (6 Jul 2004)

David Norris: I welcome the tone of the Minister of State's final contribution and his statement that it may be possible to examine this matter in other legislation. Apart from anything else, we may be forced to do so but I would prefer if it was done with goodwill. We must examine the notion of the family and confront the human aspect of the issue. As legislators, we have been put on notice by the courts...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jul 2004)

David Norris: Well done.