Results 9,341-9,360 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

David Norris: This is a problem not just for the Minister for Health, the Government or the Opposition; it is a problem for the nation. The health service is chronically dysfunctional, and playing party politics with the issue is of no use at all. The reality is that every party played a role in the disaster we are now facing. It was indeed Deputy Micheál Martin, as Minister for Health, who...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

David Norris: Did I say something different?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

David Norris: Yes, No. 3 is a motion relating to EU business.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

David Norris: At least one of these motions is being taken today.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

David Norris: To clarify, neither of the two motions relating to EU protocols is being taken today?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his clarification. My point stands, however, in that they will be taken at some stage without debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I also noted there are, once again, two measures to go through without debate. I am not criticising the procedure and we have had an explanation from Senator Bacik, but it does seem to point out how we need to think very carefully before we take sole responsibility for taking all of this material on board. If we fail in this, it will be held against us, so I believe it is dangerous. Every...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

David Norris: This is very disillusioning for young people. If we get real honesty from the other side, I am sure it would be met by understanding on this side of the House.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Fifth Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I also thank the Minister for her courtesy and professionalism because she was clearly on top of all the matters involved in the Bill. She gave good and full answers, although she occasionally took advice from her legal eagles behind her. I regret that none of our amendments was accepted but anybody who reads the Official Report will see that it was a full, clear debate and that on certain...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I am happy to second the amendment in the name of Senator Mooney. As I understand it, the Minister is closing this to new applicants in 2014 and the whole thing will be abolished in 2018. I presume that to a certain extent it gives people advance notice. If they are considering buying a house, they must take this into account in their calculations. In this extreme financial situation,...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: Or mad Mr. Obama. I agree that he is getting crazier all the time - drones and all that but that is a side issue. Any measure that would worsen the situation and lead either to greater mortgage difficulties or ultimately homelessness should be looked at very carefully. For the benefit of Senator Mooney who is anxious to know my sources, this was from the Irish National Organisation of the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I would like to make a slight correction to the record. Senator Quinn may have inadvertently misunderstood what I was saying. The figures I gave - I said that between 13,000 and 14,000 people will be affected - were the exact same as the Minister's figures. The other figures are projected figures.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: There is no conflict between us.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I am happy to acknowledge that, as I did when I made my initial remarks. I think it is rather fatuous to-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I did so yesterday.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: This is another classic illustration of a way in which Seanad Éireann should be reformed. It is absolute nonsense that we should not be allowed to discuss these issues.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I accept the ruling of the Chair. The point needs to be made that the number of people needs to be matched to the type of education they have so they can qualify for an appropriate job. It seems that we cannot say these kinds of things because of some silly notion that we cannot be trusted with money. My God, if Seanad Éireann cannot be trusted with money, I would not place too much...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: Well done.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: Are they all out order because they create a charge on the Exchequer?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

David Norris: I second the amendment. I am sorry the Government has not tabled a single amendment because that would have shown that we had no practical impact on the Bill. We will not have much a practical impact. We will put issues on the record and we will represent certain groups that feel they have been marginalised and punished. There have been many useful contributions but there is no Government...