Results 9,161-9,180 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I beg the Chair's pardon. I will end by stating that the members of the press could do what they always say they do, namely, watch proceedings on the monitors in their offices, and thereby leave the seats in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery free for others to use.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2013)

David Norris: On yesterday's Order of Business there was reference to the procedures whereby distinguished people are invited to address Seanad Éireann. There are two categories of people - figures of international importance, who largely give an address but might engage in some degree of dialogue, and national figures, who are subjected to a more intense grilling. I have written to the Committee on...

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear. No more about the IRA.

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I very much hope this Bill will pass Second Stage. I recall that Senator Burke brought forward a Bill relating to medical insurance which was acceptable almost in its entirety to the Government. I argued on that occasion that it should be allowed to go through Second Stage, after which the Minister could amend it as required. I recall thinking on that occasion that the Government should...

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: The Minister had them during the previous debate.

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Can Senator Burke give us the grounds for his opinion?

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: On a point of order. Without being rude to the other Senator Burke, I ask why is he talking about a different Bill.

Seanad: Protection of the Public Interest from Tobacco Lobbying Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: That Bill is not before the House.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: It seems to me that the significant amendment is amendment No. 99. In general, I find myself in agreement with the Government and the Minister. I expect to be in a position to support the amendment if it is put to a vote because it presumes an agreement between local authorities. It is not a direction from the Minister. It happens at local level and that is simply co-operation and good...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: As far as I am concerned if it benefits Laois, then it is all right with me.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I support this important amendment. I cannot imagine there would be any kind of commercial sensitivity around this. It is a utility and we need information and to be able to get at the facts. There is a curious system of "ring a ring a rosie", where, for example, there are city managers taking up posts and there are all kinds of interconnections between former and past issues. I am not...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Maith an fear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Senator Paul Coghlan should put his whip back in his pocket.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I support Senator Darragh O'Brien. He did the Seanad and the nation a great service by raising the issue of the apparent corruption in some areas of NAMA. The Seanad should be given full credit for this. I noticed that throughout the media it disappeared and that it was suddenly credited to the Dáil, but it was Senator Darragh O'Brien and this House that really exposed it. The House...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Barrett, for our usual collegial arrangement. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I do not welcome this Bill, however, which I believe was sparked by Europe in the context of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe report of 31 October 2013 which recommended that the Irish authorities revise the legislation to...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear, and a micromanaged version.