Results 20,701-20,720 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I support my colleagues, particularly Senator Brian Hayes, in expressing concern about the Belvedere sleep-out, which I have witnessed on many occasions at this time of year. I was not aware that it was threatened in this way, but I am not at all surprised that it appears the safety of those involved cannot be guaranteed. I have raised such issues many times in the past. Why should anybody...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I used to teach in a university and can say that the grants are not focused and have failed to extend third level education to people from disadvantaged areas. Nothing is sacrosanct and we should look at all these things.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: To those who dismiss the people who have performed this service, I ask what they would do.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: If they are not prepared to take this advice on board, what would they do?

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I have some brief observations to make as I have been, and should be soon, in another place. While I welcome the national spatial strategy, I have some reservations about its implementation, which is where the real problem lies. Nobody can argue with the fact that there is an enormous imbalance between the population in the greater Dublin area and elsewhere. Greater Dublin is now taken to...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: The sign did state it was twinned with Bulgaria.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

David Norris: While it is wonderful that it should do this, I found the sign to be very funny.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Quinn, for allowing me to share his time and also for exaggerating me into a professorship. I was a mere senior lecturer when I retired precipitately from the college of the most Sacred and Undivided Trinity near Dublin. This is a first bite at the cherry and it is an instant reaction. I have only got a kind of limited purchase on the budget which I...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I will not give him honours. He did a wonderful trick so I will give him marks for conjuring with first-time buyers. I admire him because he abolished the first-time buyer's grant, gave them a double mortgage relief and took it away with the other increase, which is wonderful because they will stay where they are. At least to stay where one is in difficult times is not bad. I am pleased the...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: It will and I thank you for reminding me, a Chathaoirligh. The Minister must look at how the consumer price index is arrived at. It is insane that, while we complain about the problem of alcoholism and the health costs of cigarette smoking, these products are included as if they are necessary to continue living – they are not. As a continuing drinker and reformed smoker, I have no...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

David Norris: I did not use the word "very". The Senator is exaggerating.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Nov 2002)

David Norris: I support the remarks of Senator Joe O'Toole about the importance of the negotiations taking place in Brussels about the fishing industry, but I would like to go a little further. Senator O'Toole talked about the potential destruction of the fishing industry. It is not just the fishing industry that is at stake, however. If we are not careful and allow the Spanish trawlers in as they wish it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: I support Senator Hayes in his concern about the closing of the centre in Shanganagh. I listened with interest to the interview with the Minister, Deputy McDowell, this morning. He introduced an element that was a little troubling when he pointed to some posters put up by Amnesty International in which there was a general context of racism and a question asked about members of the previous...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: As far as assisted reproduction is concerned, I could do with some assistance in that area myself.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: That must be it.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Quinn, for allowing me to share his time. He is somebody with considerable expertise in this area and I sincerely hope he did not cut himself short. I welcome the Minister to the House. He may like to know we are discussing the report on the task force on immigration this afternoon. I expect it will come as some relief to him that he is now in a Ministry...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: I commend my colleague, Senator Henry, for putting down this timely and valuable motion for debate. It is an issue which we have been discussing since I was first elected. This House pushed as hard as possible to ensure Ireland would reach the target of 0.7%, a target set 32 years ago in 1970. Even though we have done extraordinarily well in comparison to the other more niggardly countries of...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (27 Nov 2002)

David Norris: I am extremely pleased to hear that. I always like to sit down on a positive note.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

David Norris: Considering the current unrest among taxi personnel, the fact that 1,500 taxi drivers have criminal convictions and one has 30 criminal convictions, repeated complaints – especially from women – the fact that this is very unfair to decent taxi people, the fact that Garda consistently object to taxi licences and then see District Courts arbitrarily overturn decisions, the fact that...