Results 9,181-9,200 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

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

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: It is a rather crude way to raise this issue, in light of the report that has just been released. However, it is par for the course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: We already have votes from expatriates , particularly from the United Kingdom, in the university constituencies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: The Deputy is being provocative.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: On a point of order-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I believe I am entitled to raise a point of order. The Chairman should ask Deputy Eric Byrne to withdraw that remark about the semi-suspension of the Seanad. It is unworthy of him.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: It is no thanks to Deputy Durkan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: It is an excellent idea to have an assessment and a review because it means we can develop opportunities, not just to look at mistakes - I am not sure there have been many mistakes - but also for carrying out the Government's vision in this area. I find myself in a slightly surprising position because I welcomed the courage displayed by the Government in the closure of the Vatican Embassy,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: This is all to do with the question of whether the embassy should be open. I am just giving a few reasons. It is important that somebody says that humbly and objects to the vulgar abuse of Muslim people, and I put that in the context of a woman whose name I regret I cannot remember but she is a junior minster in the British Administration. She is a Muslim Member of Parliament and she has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I thought that we had no money.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: I apologise for leaving, I had to go to a vote. I wish to reciprocate the good wishes of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and his staff. I have been on this committee since it started and I cannot remember a foreign affairs Minister who came in so frequently and dealt so comprehensively with issues. We are grateful indeed to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Could you give me an idea of the timescale?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: In that case, I will reserve my question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: That is fine. I shall wait and leave the car abandoned.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: The customer will be responsible for the charge.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: The Minister of State's interjection is extremely helpful to me, and I am very grateful to him for his usual courtesy. A public utility is being created. I like public utilities and I believe they should stay public utilities. I would like it if the Minister of State could give an undertaking that, certainly as far as this Government is concerned, this is not the first stage of a...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Does that breach any guidelines?

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Yes, I understand that, thank you, but the Minister of State is so helpful that I cannot resist. This again brings in the question of hospital executives. If somebody is supposed to be in charge of several hospitals and was paid €250,000, and is then dropped down to €109,000, it is very odd, particularly when we are able to transfer a civil servant from one situation to...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Thank you. The Minister of State also said the metering means "1,600 jobs sustained". I think that a rather sly use of the word "sustained" because these are expendable, limited jobs that are not going to be sustained. They will be for four years, but when you get to my age, four years is absolutely damn all - you just do not notice it flying. That is not sustainable employment. It is...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (4 Dec 2013)

David Norris: Am I? There is just this point I would like to make. The aggregated money is limited to €2 billion. NewERA has been advising the Government? Who are they? They sound like a lot of do-gooders, but I presume they are some sort of financial crowd. I would like to know what their services are and what the cost is.