Results 1,861-1,880 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I will relay that point back to the disability groups. I am glad there will be a separate section in the Office of the Ombusdman. I understood from the speech by the Minister of State that it was all coming under the remit of the Ombudsman, who is already over-burdened. If the Minister of State can assure the House that there will be staffing and funding specifically dedicated to the issue,...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: This provision must be copperfastened. This will have been a useful debate if we have teased this much out, namely, the clear commitment to the House by the Minister of State that there will be ring-fencing of the staffing and resources for a new section within the Office of the Ombudsman. That will satisfy the requirements of the DFI. I am also confident that the other points made by our...

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I agree with Senator MacSharry, but he scored a few points in his earlier remarks. However, it is a matter which should not be treated in such a manner, as one which affects the whole community. I have already spoken on the Order of Business and several times this week on this issue. A great deal of good sense has been spoken on both sides of the House, so I do not intend to use my full...

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I will not need that amount of time. However, it is important that a representative of the Independent group joins with other Members in saying that this situation must be addressed. I beg the Cathaoirleach's pardon. I am interpreting his gestures and his sign language as asking me, in effect, whether I would like to share time with Senator Ormonde. I am grateful to him for the suggestion....

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I thought that is what the Cathaoirleach was saying.

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Is that possible?

Seanad: Nursing Homes: Statements. (1 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Perhaps the Cathaoirleach might let me know when I have spoken for half the allotted time. I agree with those who have said this was a remarkable piece of reporting by RTE. It took a great deal of technical ingenuity using a small camera, whether in a tie pin or whatever. The visual image was very clear. The sound was also quite good. It was remarkable. That is what I call real investigative...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I thank the Cathaoirleach for confirming my opinion that there is no need for balance on the Order of Business. It had struck me. The matter raised by the Leader is serious but it would not be appropriate to name and shame, to use a favourite phrase. The matter is serious because a dereliction of responsibility is involved if people kick up a fuss and call for debates but are charged with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: This is completely ridiculous. This is the most vital and interesting part of the day and instead of trying to control it and close it down, we should be expanding it and increasing our strength.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: The idea of telling Senators there is not enough time to talk——

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: There is plenty of time and we waste time every single day.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I would not dream of criticising the Cathaoirleach but I am criticising the system. May I make two final points? One can forget about the referendum as far as I am concerned. To run a referendum in this country would be an absolute waste of money and a farce. Taxpayers do not want their money wasted. If we vote against the treaty, will it be decided to hold more referenda somewhere else? It...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Latvia supports it. We are home and dry.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: The ruling should be changed. There is general agreement on all sides of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I will be putting it down next week for formal discussion and seeking a vote on it.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (14 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Like everybody else, I was greatly shocked when I heard of the illness and subsequent death of Seán Doherty. He was a remarkable man and a great storyteller. I have heard some of those stories. I understand that immediately prior to his death he was on holiday with his family in Donegal, in tremendous form and telling stories. He was at the heart of the party, as always. I am grateful to my...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Hear, hear and why not? There are lots of nice votes there.

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House on this positive occasion. I recognise the presence in the Visitors Gallery of Professor Brian Norton, whose name has already been referred to several times in the debate, as well as a distinguished group from the Dublin Institute of Technology. I welcome this development because it is on the north side of Dublin. We have seen consistent asset stripping by...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

David Norris: I thank the Leader for her compliment. She is full of plámás but we want jobs, institutions and investment. Plámás is all very fine after we have got the investment but we must get the investment first. Like other speakers, I wish to pay tribute to the DIT. It not just a question of votes because the number of votes is fairly small. There was a period when Trinity College conferred...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

David Norris: Of course, we all welcome votes and let us not pretend otherwise because without them we would not be here to speak about matters in which we are interested. Like Senator O'Toole, I think the DIT should be enfranchised whether or not it is to become a university. I would like to see all the Dublin colleges, including the DIT, come in with Trinity College so we would have a Dublin...