Results 121-140 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Quinn, for allowing me to share his time and also for exaggerating me into a professorship. I was a mere senior lecturer when I retired precipitately from the college of the most Sacred and Undivided Trinity near Dublin. This is a first bite at the cherry and it is an instant reaction. I have only got a kind of limited purchase on the budget which I...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I will not give him honours. He did a wonderful trick so I will give him marks for conjuring with first-time buyers. I admire him because he abolished the first-time buyer's grant, gave them a double mortgage relief and took it away with the other increase, which is wonderful because they will stay where they are. At least to stay where one is in difficult times is not bad. I am pleased the...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: It will and I thank you for reminding me, a Chathaoirligh. The Minister must look at how the consumer price index is arrived at. It is insane that, while we complain about the problem of alcoholism and the health costs of cigarette smoking, these products are included as if they are necessary to continue living – they are not. As a continuing drinker and reformed smoker, I have no...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I did not use the word "very". The Senator is exaggerating.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I support my colleagues, particularly Senator Brian Hayes, in expressing concern about the Belvedere sleep-out, which I have witnessed on many occasions at this time of year. I was not aware that it was threatened in this way, but I am not at all surprised that it appears the safety of those involved cannot be guaranteed. I have raised such issues many times in the past. Why should anybody...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I used to teach in a university and can say that the grants are not focused and have failed to extend third level education to people from disadvantaged areas. Nothing is sacrosanct and we should look at all these things.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: To those who dismiss the people who have performed this service, I ask what they would do.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: If they are not prepared to take this advice on board, what would they do?

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I have some brief observations to make as I have been, and should be soon, in another place. While I welcome the national spatial strategy, I have some reservations about its implementation, which is where the real problem lies. Nobody can argue with the fact that there is an enormous imbalance between the population in the greater Dublin area and elsewhere. Greater Dublin is now taken to...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: The sign did state it was twinned with Bulgaria.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: While it is wonderful that it should do this, I found the sign to be very funny.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

David Norris: Three quarters.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I join colleagues in praising the actions of the young gardaí at the weekend. We all share the same sentiments on this matter. It is good to have this kind of positive news about our police force. I will not say anything further on the issue because I have just finished writing a newspaper article. As this is International Human Rights Day, we should remember the Falun Gong and Falun Dafa in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

David Norris: Yes, I thank the Cathaoirleach for reminding me of my final point which is on the issue of tribunals. Today a gentleman will spend his fifth day reading his submission into the record of one of the tribunals. Why can this not be done as we do it, namely, by using the form "I move" and allowing others to read the submission? This would save at least €4,000 to €5,000 per day. Surely people...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I would welcome the opportunity to make these points in a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

David Norris: Surely not forever.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

David Norris: Then they will get an illegal dump.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, appear before the House to update Senators on the position regarding the report of the arms inspectors in Iraq. Many people are extremely concerned that the United States, very much an interested party in this matter, has hijacked the report. I heard a rather weak explanation from the United Nations in which it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I have been raising this issue in the Seanad for the last six years. At first, I was laughed out of court by people who regarded the massive increase in alcohol consumption and the deterioration in public behaviour and health standards as a source of amusement. I remember talking about the filth in the centre of our capital city as a result of people urinating, defecating and vomiting...