Results 1,981-2,000 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Why, then, is Senator Conway chortling away? It is audible on the microphone. The Minister, Deputy Ross, excoriated this and called it an extraordinary waste of parliamentary time. He said he would not now indicate his intent to introduce any amendments on Report Stage. The Minister should publish his amendments if he is truly genuine about addressing the very obvious concerns that this...
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: The Minister said he would listen carefully to the points made, principally by Senator McDowell but supported by me, about the situation regarding the Attorney General. If that is not what the Minister is indicating, can he speak plainly as to why he believes a Report Stage amendment to the Bill concerning the role of the Attorney General is necessary, when it is quite clear that the Sinn...
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I understand that. I thank the Acting Chairman for her helpful advice.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Both Senator McDowell and I have pointed out our grave concerns about the constitutionality of the Bill. I suppose it is just up to us to vote against it.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Yes, absolutely.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I see. I thank the Acting Chairman very much.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I will do my best not to misrepresent the Minister. He is a little bit disingenuous when he denies all association with the constitutionality question and so on and so forth because it was specifically in response to these issues of constitutionality, raised by Senator McDowell and myself, that he said that he would come back on Report Stage in a way that will allow us to progress the Bill....
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I do not know anything better than the Acting Chairman.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: This is unusual in that we have had the Minister complaining about spending 74 or 75 hours debating this legislation but it gives him plenty of time to table his amendments any time he wants. He is welcome to do so.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: On a point of order, are amendments Nos. 86c to 86h, inclusive, being discussed together?
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Thank you.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I think the Minister has slightly misinterpreted our point. He spoke about canvassing and exercising improper influence. One has to take into account the direction of the communication. The communication actually comes from the Government, the Minister or the Attorney General acting on the authority of the Government. They communicate with-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I do not know as I have never heard of reverse canvassing. It seems odd to me. The Minister has said they must then apply to the commission. Even if the amendment were to be passed, a candidate would still have to apply to the commission, but that is not a real point.Has Senator McDowell any comments on the possible interpretation of his amendment as a form of establishment "you scratch my...
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: That might be a good idea.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: The Cabinet is not allowed to know who those people are.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Including reverse canvassing.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: I will try it tonight.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)
David Norris: This goes to the very heart of the Bill. It is absolutely ridiculous to suggest the Attorney General should be criminally liable for giving information germane to the discussion to members of the Government. It is ridiculous. It ties their hands. I cannot express strongly enough my opposition to what is in the Bill already. We speak a lot about openness, transparency and accountability....