Results 4,261-4,280 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: This is a grey area?
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: Can I make-----
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I completely accept that but I say just once more this is a glaring example of where a tiny amount of money, a ridiculous amount of money, is being used to frustrate the Upper House of Parliament from making an amendment. It is a complete and utter nonsense and a farce. The sooner we do something about it and release ourselves from these kinds of puerile restrictions the better.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: That is fine.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: Every single amendment could be ruled out of order on the basis that it costs the Exchequer money to print it on the Order Paper. Technically, if we take this to the extreme, and it is an absurd extreme, but it is possible, no amendment whatever could be introduced by Seanad Éireann. That is how ludicrous a situation it is. It is time we woke up and did something about our dignity as...
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I support what Senator Craughwell said. He made a very good case. The reduction in the number of representatives from 18 to one is catastrophic. It means a break with the local area, which is the problem. Universities can only be strengthened by a strong connection with the local area from which they draw their population group.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: It states "may be".
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I know, but the phrase "may be" does not mean that it will create a charge.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: It may create a charge. What if people were prepared to work for nothing?
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: That does not create a charge at all. It is a further complication of nonsense.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: On a point of order, I wrote to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges about this issue and asked it to revise it. I was told it was raised at a meeting. I am not 100% sure whether-----
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I will broadcast directly to you, madam.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I will broadcast directly to you through the Chair. I wrote to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges about this issue. I was not 100% sure at that stage whether the restriction on the powers of Seanad Éireann was in the Constitution or in the rule book. Is there any information on that? Is it in the Constitution?
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: Does the Acting Chairman have a copy of the Constitution I can leaf through?
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I never knew the Senator did not like Senator Gerard P. Craughwell.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: What is going on here? Birds in their little nest agree.
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I wonder whether the Minister of State would agree with me that it would be nonsense to have no student representative on the academic council. I am sure she would agree. As her expression has not changed, I will leave it to her to answer in her reply. I am assuming it would be regarded as nonsense, but if she has a different view, that is fine. All kinds of subject are discussed by the...
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: It is very interesting to hear Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell state the technological universities could, if they wished, have five, two or no student representatives. This is precisely what we are fighting against. We do not want to have a scenario where there is no student representation and I believe the Minister of State agrees with me on that point. A previous speaker referred to what...
- Seanad: Technological Universities Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Feb 2018)
David Norris: I ask the Acting Chairman to extend the debate to ensure we obtain an answer from the Minister of State on this crucial matter.