Results 8,261-8,280 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I welcome very much the relaxation of the relationship between Cuba and the United States of America. It has taken 50 years, which is a hell of a long time. Through their secret agencies, the Americans have been involved in bombings, murder, invasion, assassination attempts on Fidel Castro, the Bay of Pigs and so on, so I am very glad that this is coming to an end. Like Senator Mullins, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2014)

David Norris: Ninety days.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2014)

David Norris: It is a complete waste of time.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I support Senator Darragh O'Brien. It seems to me grotesquely immoral that a company should be in profit and wind down a pension fund. I can see no moral justification for that whatever. That is all I wanted to say. I thank the Minister of State, who has been very attentive. I believe he has taken on board the principle of a number of the issues we have been raising, although perhaps his...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: We all recognise that there is a serious situation regarding pensions in this country. We are facing a type of cliff having wasted the National Pensions Reserve Fund on paying off the debts of the German and French banks. I wonder who was responsible for the administration of the Aer Lingus pension fund; I am not sure whether anybody has asked that question. How did this situation arise...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I support my colleagues in that I believe there is a strong argument to be made for a Statute of Limitations and also consideration of the ability of people to pay. With regard to the question of clawbacks in respect of overpayments and so on, my guiding source in economic theory is the game of Monopoly. One of the cards one gets when playing Monopoly states: "Congratulations an error has...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I am sure they are ecstatic.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. He will not get any party lectures from me, I can assure him of that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: Absolutely. I commend the Minister of State for his commitment to the regeneration of the country, despite sectoral party interests. I believe that is genuine and I salute the Minister of State and the Labour Party for it. I believe they are going into the wilderness but they are doing so in what they see as a good cause. The Christmas bonus is very welcome but it is only 25% of what was...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister to the House. By way of comment on the Leas-Chathaoirleach's observations, it is utter lunacy in a democracy that this House cannot make amendments to finance Bills but I discovered to my horror the other day in the newspapers, and the Minister might confirm if it is true, that Members of the Dáil are not allowed make amendments either. Only members of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I was looking for a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I ask the Leader for a debate on the CIA report on torture, and particularly on this country's involvement in the scheme of rendition flights. I am absolutely astonished at the emergence of Dick Cheney. It is quite incredible that such a discredited blackguard should dare to raise his head. He should hang his head in shame. He should dig a hole, creep into it and hope to Christ that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2014)

David Norris: He was involved with Kellogg, Brown & Root. He was a criminal involved with these companies for profit. Hundreds of thousands of lives were sacrificed so that this man could get fat in America. I just hope that Mr. Dick Cheney is indicted for war crimes and brought before the International Criminal Tribunal.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

David Norris: Good man.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

David Norris: Can I confirm that I completely accept people's right to express their opinions? However, I reserve the right to correct them when they are wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

David Norris: It was unanimously passed because there was no vote called. Nobody's conscience troubled them to such an extent that they called for a vote. It went through unanimously.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

David Norris: I beg the Chair's pardon. I respect the Chair very deeply.