Results 6,241-6,260 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2016)

David Norris: It is really lamentable that we had no representative on this body. It is crucial to the well-being of this State and accountable to the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who are adversely affected by this situation. Another issue to which I draw the attention of the House and on which perhaps we could have a debate is the way in which planning regulations for apartments in...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: A guillotine.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: I join in the Cathaoirleach's welcome to the distinguished councillor. Earlier this morning some of my colleagues and I had a meeting with representatives of the Cork Institute of Technology, which is concerned about the Government's proposals for legislation in this area. I am concerned that today there are three items to be taken without debate, two of which are regulations. I suppose the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Yes I am, if that is the only way I can get it onto the record of the House. However, I am not expecting a debate on it. In terms of popularity, a large number of people listen to this programme on Sunday mornings, unlike the programme about modern music, which is an hour or two of unmerciful, thumps, bangs, whistles, squelches, belches and God Almighty knows what. I switch it off every...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: On a point of information, is there an election in the offing by any chance?

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: By whom?

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: That may be the case but the matter is eminently worthy of debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: I do not say that but there is a historical context in which it could be placed and the Senator referred to a High Court case.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Perhaps we could share a Commencement matter on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b) I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: On a point of order, in the case of someone who opposes a section, can that person speak twice?

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Thank you.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: It is important that definitions are as clear as possible. As this amendment appears, in my opinion, to achieve that, I am happy to support it.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: I second the amendment. This is an excellent amendment. I am interested to learn that Interpol supports this proposal. That is a very strong argument. I hope that the Minister will see her way to accepting the amendment, particularly in light of the strong support for it from Interpol. I may be an innocent, perhaps because of my age - I am almost 72 - but I have never seen child...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: Virtually everyone would agree that sexual offences against a child are heinous but I have reservations about the amendment proposed by my Fianna Fáil colleagues for a number of reasons. First, Senator Walsh referred to conviction on indictment as if that was the only provision in the section but it is not. Section 3(5)(a) states:"(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: That is rubbish.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: I doubt there are very many.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (21 Jan 2016)

David Norris: I am not opposed to these amendments in general but I have a couple of queries. The first concerns the use of the word "buggery". It does not occur elsewhere in the Bill, so far as I understand. It is an antique and imprecise phrase. It originated in the middle ages with an accusation against the Albigensian heresy of unnatural sexual relations as was then considered by the Papal states....