Results 9,241-9,260 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)
David Norris: On a point of order, may I point out that the word "gurrier" is on the index of prohibited words in this House, unlike the 'F' word, which I used some time ago in all innocence and which was misinterpreted by dirty minded people.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I beg the pardon of the Chair. I will withdraw it instantly.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)
David Norris: It would like hell. May I correct that? There would be 750,000 voters for the university seats and there are fewer than a thousand voters on the other panels. There is only one elector for the Taoiseach's nominations.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)
David Norris: In that case, I beg the Senator's pardon.
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I would like to confirm what the Leas-Chathaoirleach said about the AV room. This issue was brought up at a meeting of the Committee on Members' Interests and I strongly opposed the attempt to encroach on our rights. Decisions were taken then. Senator Diarmuid Wilson has followed up the matter and our decision is that pending the full establishment of our rights, to which we strongly hold,...
- Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)
David Norris: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I welcome the Minister, who makes very reasonable arguments. She has indicated that she has brought in this legislation to help defined benefit schemes help themselves, with changes made to give the trustees of defined benefit schemes options and help them improve their funding position. My only difficulty with that is it seems to rebalance the equation in favour of the trustees and against...
- Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: She continued by saying that everything was okay when the defined benefit schemes were in surplus. This is true and nobody could possibly deny it. In the case of a single insolvency, it seems extraordinary that a company can continue to trade and make a profit but welsh on its responsibility to employees and pensioners. Will the Minister address that by way of amendment? As I am on the...
- Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I will make them a long 30 seconds and as we know, according to Einstein, time is flexible. The Minister indicates the Minister for Finance shall provide for the shortfall in scheme assets, which is a very welcome matter. The Waterford Crystal pensions case is instructive and interesting. It was determined that pension scheme members are to be protected where insolvency occurs. Where the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: That may not be true. I only read it in a newspaper.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: On a point of order, Senator Byrne has raised an important point.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: The point of order is about the ordering of business in this House. The Leader, who is an honourable and decent man, has stated that his hands are tied; it is outside his remit. Within whose remit does it lie? It is quite extraordinary that before the Bill is introduced to the House, we are forbidden to table amendments. By whom - some kind of anonymous bureaucrat? The Leader stated it...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: Is it the Government? I insist on knowing who it is.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: Perhaps the Leader would be kind enough to let me know. He may well have a satisfactory answer, but at present the matter is unresolved and I am deeply unhappy about it.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I attended that meeting and the Leader is quite correct.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: However, there was no question that we would not be allowed to table amendments.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I am sure the Leader will confirm that the question of amendments was not raised at that meeting.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: I thank the Leader for his courtesy.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: Bureaucrats, not medics, are doing it.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)
David Norris: Hear, hear.