Results 20,461-20,480 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I support the proposal of my colleague, Senator O'Toole, because what is happening in the Seanad is dangerous. Senator Ryan also made the useful suggestion that we invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to take the debate on the Bill. The Minister is an articulate and highly intelligent man.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I know he has strong views on this matter because I met him in the corridor last night. We had a private conversation, but I imagine he would welcome the opportunity of placing on the record of the House the strong views he expressed to me. Attacks have been made on the Information Commissioner. To balance these, however, a senior academic from NUI Cork, who is qualified in this area, made it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I am supporting my colleague and I am seeking a proper debate. The Leader, and various people on the Government side, asked why we could not get to section 12 of the Bill. The answer is that it is our responsibility to try to extract information and it is pretty difficult to do so when the Minister of State has no competence in the area and his advisers do not seem to know much either. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The Leader graciously accepted that there might be a need for a debate on Tibet. Will she examine the matter with more urgency and arrange a time for such a debate? When I raised the matter yesterday, I did not realise that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, without consultation of either House of the Oireachtas or the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, has, on behalf of the people, made a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Exactly.

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I congratulate my colleague, Senator Ross, on putting down this important motion. In terms of young drivers – regrettably I can no longer qualify as one myself – there is a great problem because of the enormous costs involved. They are really quite bizarre. I know that the insurance industry is based on the calculation of actuarial risk, and if certain categories of drivers have a...

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I did not, because I was at another committee meeting. I am very pleased and I offer my congratulations. I withdraw the contumely I was firing.

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I gather it was agreed to put the two together.

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I have some reservations about one section of what the Government put in. Recognising all –

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: Splendid. What a brilliant political intellect I have. Self-praise is catching. The part I wanted to object to involved 11 September 2001. I have to say, a Leas-Cathaoirligh, this House is showing an increase in common sense over the past 24 hours that is quite remarkable. I congratulate the Members on what Chairman Mao would have called their Great Leap Forward. I believe insurance companies...

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: We should say this is not justification. Why the hell should I pay for 11 September 2001? I do not believe it is a valid excuse. I want to make one parochial point, though the late Frank O'Connor did ask what was wrong with parochial, because if one knew one's own back yard one knew everyone else's. I would like to tell the House what is happening in my back yard, or in my automobile. My nice...

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: However, my insurance has shot up to nearly €2,000.

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The problem relates to what I said at the outset, that I have no argument with any insurance equation that is the result of an actuarial calculation. There is risk. The insurance company insures you against a particular kind of risk. My motorcar is a very beautiful instrument, but its market value is only about €5,000 or €6,000, thanks to the snobbery of the Irish motorist, who does not...

Seanad: Motor Insurance: Motion. (12 Mar 2003)

David Norris: I congratulate him on his maturity.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach is required by Standing Orders to take—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: At Cheltenham.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: It is relevant that the Minister is not here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: With regard to the question of leaks, it is a feature of political life that virtually every Minister leaks information. If Senator Leyden is in the situation of never having committed a sin, then of course he is entitled to cast a stone. My understanding is that virtually all Ministers leak information from time to time. What is unusual about the matter raised by Senators Finucane and Ross...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: —is that it has not been established that it was the Garda which leaked the document. However, it was certainly unusual that the Garda established a body to monitor and review a situation and published a report after a mere three months. That does look a little like jockeying for position and ordinary members of the public – I include myself in this – would, I imagine, be concerned that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach has divined it; that is precisely what I am seeking. I support my colleagues in requesting such a debate. I also want to seek a debate on another matter. When will the Leader consider taking No. 16, motion No. 14, on Tibet or a similar motion? There is a serious reason that such a motion should be taken. Questions were recently asked in the Dáil about Tibet and the...