Results 8,801-8,820 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: We appreciate that.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I agree with my friend, Senator Conway, that the legislation with amendments should be enacted by the end of July. It would be a very good day's work if that were done. Perhaps we could arrange to enact it on 31 July, which is my 70th birthday. It would make a nice 70th birthday present.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I accept and remember Mervyn Taylor making the point that he felt absolutely that the legislation was as much as he could get through, but that was 20 years ago. The authority of the Christian churches has been radically diminished by their moral equivocation and stark dishonesty on sexual matters. Just look at all the scandals. People do not take them seriously in this because they have...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: These days, Roman Catholics are much better at Latin than individuals of my religion because there is a vestigial aspect. What does it matter if someone is an atheist, Roman Catholic, Buddhist, Jew or otherwise? If they teach Latin or history, it is grand. The requirement to state one's religion should be removed totally. It is irrelevant.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I would not doubt the Minister of State.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I agree with Senator Bacik that this is an important advance but, at the same time, I am the only person who was a Member of the House when the original Bill was introduced, which was in its time an advance. The then Minister was Mervyn Taylor who is also a member of the Labour Party and he was an extremely decent and honourable man. When I challenged him on it, the reason he gave was the...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Well I was a teacher and I know something about the subject. Regardless of whether she was a teacher, the Minister of State is a woman of imagination and vision so she can understand what is involved. In the context of the matter under discussion, I am aware that what is envisaged would be very bad practice. Obviously, it would be absurd to try to force the Church of Ireland and the Roman...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: The Senator does have a belief, even though it is in error. We will pray for her.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I am glad we have come to this point and while I congratulate Senator Bacik on introducing amending legislation, the Bill before us does not go far enough. I remember the entire debate on the principal legislation. Former Senator Joe O'Toole and I strongly opposed section 37, which was included, I am ashamed to note, at the request of all the Christian churches, including my church. The...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Before we start and without any intention of rudeness to the Minister of State, who I welcome to the House, I did not see any lists of amendments on the table.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: They are there now. Is that the case?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I join my colleague Senator O'Brien in expressing concern about the situation regarding the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service. I have had occasion to use the service myself and found it extremely efficient and professional. That cannot be said of ambulance services throughout the country. I do not think that we should diminish our ambulance service in any way but should bring the rest...

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Surely a life is worth €25.

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

David Norris: I welcome the Minister and compliment my colleague, Senator Quinn, on his initiative in bringing forward this Bill. I also refer to the presence in the Visitors Gallery of a very old friend of mine and a very distinguished artist, the singer, Honor Heffernan, whom I heard on radio the other day describe with great dignity and sadness the tragedy that occurred in her family when her mother...

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

David Norris: Hear, hear; bravo.

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

David Norris: We notice everything.

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

David Norris: We give praise where it is due and chide when necessary.