Results 1,961-1,980 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2005)

David Norris: A sitting ovation.

Seanad: Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas. (1 Jul 2005)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I am sure my colleagues will join me in congratulating the Garda on the seizure of cocaine at Dublin Airport, the arrest of two women and in particular the location of a crack cocaine factory in a flat in Phibsboro, which is apparently run by what was described as a west African gang. The gang has a specific new formula for creating this drug which makes it much more easily marketable. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I am not the only computer-illiterate person in the general vicinity. We have seen the scandal of the computer system in the Department of Health and Children, but we previously had a debate on the enormous expenditure of money on electronic voting machines, a system which proved inadequate. One of the matters we teased out in this House at the time was that the people designing those...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: In this latest instance, I understand that an instruction was given that the programme was not to be tested against the idiosyncrasies of the Irish system. That is bizarre. What are those responsible doing? A huge waste of money is involved and I hope there will be a discussion on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I said there is a case to be made on both sides.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: We would raise such concerns if we could attend the meetings of the Joint Committee on Transport but they always coincide with the Order of Business in this House.

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I compliment Senator White on the work she has done. I do not have a problem with means testing so long as the bar is set high enough. A lady spoke on the radio today who has two autistic children. When her husband got promotion all her supports were taken away. She argued her case. Eventually her supports were reduced from €180 to €36. That is not support. The point made on the...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements (Resumed). (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: That is the group that is getting least. It is up to the Minister of State and his colleagues to redress the position.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House. I found his speech very interesting but before I turn to it I would like to say that I may support the Government's amendment. Although the Labour Party has made very serious points, it has gone in the direction of a particular ethos rather than any particular party. I do not know of any Government under which there has been the kind of aggressive attack...

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I am sure Senator Mansergh has superior knowledge but I am quoting the information with which I was furnished.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I know. There is no competition at all but my point still stands. There may be a small difference, six or ten, or a little more, whatever the Senator wishes, but he has not addressed the principle of what I was saying.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I do not think so but Senator Mansergh obviously does and can be satisfied with that. The situation of what is termed "pick-me-up" schemes is interesting. This involves party supporters outside the political arena who pick up expenses legitimately owed by the political parties. It is illegal but there have been 71 cases of this practice. That comes very close to home in this House. Fintan...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I ask the Leader if we could have a debate on Iraq. We have a tradition of looking at the situation in that country and current developments there are very worrying. Last week, American forces decided to enter the city of Haditha in military form and attacked two cars containing families fleeing. Ten people were killed, including three children. Very little is done about keeping this under...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I listened to Senator Mansergh's contribution with great interest and in response to his last comment I would say that Shell really needs to revise its entire ethos and modus operandi. The company stinks worldwide, but we were not sufficiently aware of this fact and we have let them away with potential murder in this country. If, as Senator Mansergh also said, international business will look...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I am not just some left-wing crank talking about this matter. The United Nations Special Rapporteur's report on Nigeria published in 1998 accused both Nigeria and Shell of abusing human rights and failing to protect the environment. It condemned Shell for a "well armed security force which is intermittently employed against protestors". This is what we are dealing with. This is the heart of...

Seanad: Corrib Gas Field: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: It would be impossible for any fire brigade to deal with such an explosion. We need to be very careful and should support the plain people of Ireland against a multinational corporation that has a record that stinks to high heaven and is clearly dangerous to human life.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: To demonstrate parity of esteem, may I share my time with Senator Ross?

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: I welcome the Taoiseach to the House. It is always good to hear his balanced reports on progress. There has been progress and quite a large proportion is due to the Taoiseach's dogged determination to pursue the course of peace in Northern Ireland in very difficult days. We have had decommissioning, which was a major and spectacular event. I was out of the country at the time but the story...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

David Norris: In that case, I will yield to Senator Ross.