Results 7,941-7,960 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: Nothing could illustrate more clearly the rapidly changing nature of this debate than the legislation that currently is in place or being discussed in Argentina, Malta and Denmark. Matters are moving ahead rapidly and our understanding is also developing quickly. It appears to me that the recognition and understanding by individuals of their own gender identity comes before their...

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister's comments. This is exactly the spirit of co-operation we look forward to in this House. I am very happy with what he said.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: The Senator is taking up more time by saying that.

Seanad: Gender Recognition Bill 2014: Committee Stage (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: I strongly support the amendment, because it is important that we monitor the operation of the legislation. This is very new and it would not have been contemplated 15 to 20 years ago, despite the heroic efforts of Dr. Lydia Foy and others. It is a new and fast-developing area and different European countries are developing at different levels and speeds. It is very important that we keep...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: So is a seagull.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: They are still protected.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: That was sensible.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: The Cathaoirleach has had Senator Barrett. Would he like Senator Norris?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: I agree with Senator O'Donovan that this country is smothering in bureaucracy, for example, the HSE looking for tax clearance certificates from small farmers and so on, but what about us? I am nearly 30 years in this House. For the majority of that time, we did not have to fob in, produce receipts for this, that and the other or keep them for six years and employ public accountants,...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome the legislation, although it is fairly timid. It is very important because there is something insidious about unacknowledged lobbyists floating around the Houses. I was not aware that several former Members of the Oireachtas were active as lobbyists in the House. When I saw them around I thought they were just visiting and it leads to the...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: I go to briefings that, very often, I do not agree with, I ask questions and it adds to my knowledge. The use of the AV room should be protected in the interests of Oireachtas Members. The Minister says he sought to engage with stakeholders and indicated 60 of them. It would be interesting to know who they are. I am not suspicious of the Minister but I would be curious to know who the 60...

Seanad: Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: Second Stage (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: That is helpful and I thank the Minister. Returning to voluntary or paid organisations, what about the Iona Institute? The Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, is referred to but it failed completely to get the Iona Institute to register and failed to get any information on its sourcing or membership. We need to know a lot more about the Iona Institute, which is such a powerful...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: Senator Gilroy sought a debate on the influence of social media on the political system. I will consider arranging such a debate. Senator Barrett asked a question about the review body to deal with Aer Lingus. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is keen to hear the views and input of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. I can assure Senators that he...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: The EU should look after both countries.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: In recent days I have received inquiries from sections of the media about whether I would join an Independent political party or whatever it was. They quoted a statement from Deputy Patrick O'Donovan of Fine Gael suggesting that there are 813,000 reasons people will not join this grouping, namely because they would have to sacrifice their Independent leaders' allowance. Many Members of...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: The Fianna Fáil Whip has said he wants a word with me later.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2015)

David Norris: I think we should be realistic. We get a comparatively modest income in this House and any expenses are vouched. I think the public should be satisfied with this. I think we should come to an end of this period of sackcloth and ashes for politicians. We work hard and we take a reduction in income to serve the people. I am puzzled by the attitude in some political quarters of flaying...

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

David Norris: I welcome the Bill which is a remarkable initiative. I also welcome the Minister and the fact that she indicated that she intended to incorporate some of the ideas included in Senator Sean D. Barrett's Bill into new legislation. That demonstrates the co-operative spirit in Seanad Éireann as part of the Oireachtas. It is worth pointing out that the Minister, the leader of the Labour...

Seanad: Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (28 Jan 2015)

David Norris: I did mention my colleague. Designated activity companies, DACs, are important. There should be safeguards in this regard. There must be a degree of supervision, irrespective of whether the money comes from outside. I am thinking, in particular, of Trinity College Dublin where there are projects undertaken in concert with the Israeli military. This is of assistance to the Israeli military...