Results 20,521-20,540 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: I was not in the Chamber last night when the unfortunate remark was passed. I understand Senator O'Toole heard the comment, read it and listened to it again this morning. I was present in the House and spoke immediately after Senator Ross and heard what he said. I did not consider what he said to be inflammatory. I do not agree with Senator Dardis.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: The Senator suggested that heated words were exchanged and that it was part of the atmosphere in the House.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: It was not heated at that time, nor at the time the remark was made. There was an intention to suggest there was something different.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: The debate was clear and reasonable, at least at the time we spoke. These remarks are unfortunate. If some people have difficulty with hybrid ancestry, I do not. My father was English, but I can go back much further than many Members on my Irish pedigree. That kind of remark does not bother me. I am glad my colleague has attended the House. He will probably be able to address these matters...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: I believe it is. We will have to disagree amicably on that point. I call for an early debate on this issue.
- Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: Pity about them.
- Seanad: Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: I am very grateful to my colleague, Senator Quinn, for affording me this opportunity, particularly because I disagree with most of what he said, apart from his final statements in which he seemed to be getting onto the right track. I speak from the point of view of somebody who does not watch sport on television. While I would not turn over in bed to watch any of the programmes about which...
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: This Bill is a bit of a mixed bag. I thoroughly approve the ending of the dual mandate but I regret the opportunity to elect mayors and cathaoirligh of city and county localities has been removed. I tabled a motion a number of years ago seeking this measure until my co-signatory joined Fine Gael and ran for the council. That was the end of that motion but I continued to believe the dual...
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: Although a member of the NUJ, I have often chid the media but I was aided and abetted by members of the Government party who went on the airwaves to claim that right. I heard them doing that, so it was not a figment of the media's imagination. It was a tidbit fed to the media by people who are obviously out of touch. In regard to cheque book diplomacy, I would have thought given the history...
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: Which ones?
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: I withdraw that until the tribunal reports and then I will re-enter it. I will suspend judgment.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: Thank you. I will accept your guidance on that, but I will come back to it when the tribunal reports.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: That is all right.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: With the help of God, I might not even be here. I might be occupying a higher sphere.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: Hardly. I was thinking of a cloud and a harp.
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: There is something incestuous in it, not only because some wanted to appoint their spouses or relations but also because in the nature of things and the way the Seanad is composed, exactly as has been pointed out by Senator Fitzgerald and others, councillors are the electorate for the Senators. That tends to create a distortion because of the intrusion of sometimes important but also quite...
- Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)
David Norris: If it is offered to me, I will do my best to occupy it with due decorum. I would, of course, come to the Leader of the House for lessons in courtesy and presence. I definitely need a degree of extra presence. I hope this matter of direct election to this important office will be examined again. It would strengthen democracy in this area.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
David Norris: I support Senator Brian Hayes's amendment to the Order of Business. This is important legislation which needs to be treated with due care and consideration. The Government has not done this. The fact that it simply appointed five departmental Secretaries General to produce it and significantly failed to consult its own Information Commissioner weakens the approach to the Bill. One must be...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
David Norris: It is very much on the Order of Business. I wish to raise a couple of other matters, of which one is the question of the abuse of taxi plates. This surfaced in the Sunday newspapers and has been the subject of a good deal of commentâ
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)
David Norris: I am asking a question which is a little long-winded. It was indicated on the airwaves that an amendment to the legislation might be required. It is appropriate that this be done in this House because, whereas nothing criminal has been done and one cannot do other than admire his entrepreneurial ingenuity, it seems Mr. O'Leary puts his own transport requirements way above those of other...