Results 10,701-10,720 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Once again I must strongly support Senator Barrett. He has dealt with the economic reasons and I will address myself to what I see as the political reasons. If these are not controlled it will not be only the Government that will introduce quantity licensing. This is to try to prevent the authority, which lacks the weight or democratic impact of the Government, from making regulations that...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Can the Minister of State lay before the House any evidence to the effect that the performance of the Garda as licensing authority is unsatisfactory? It might be a compelling argument in defence of his case, but I am unaware of such evidence. The Garda, particularly its traffic section, is in constant contact with the taxi industry and other motorists. This supports the idea that it is an...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Once again the Minister of State has signally failed to address the point of principle involved. He has invoked the natural sympathy for wheelchair occupants and while one has every identification with them - I avoid the word "sympathy" because it is patronising - this is a red herring. Senator Barrett made the point effectively; we are attempting to overturn the judgments of the highest...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Could I add something?

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Yes, it is very short. Far be it from me to chide colleagues who wander, because I am noted for it myself, but a number of contributors have wandered from the essential crux of the amendment, which seems to me to be simply that Senator Barrett objects on a sound democratic principle to the use of a regulation to overrule a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court. That is a very important...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Yes, and so am I. I salute Senator Barrett, who in my opinion justifies the existence of the Senate every day. He has rooted out something very important in this regard because it looks as though Members are purporting to use a statutory instrument to overrule a judgment that was sustained by two High Court judgments - given by two distinguished High Court judges - and in an appeal to the...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: One cannot withdraw a Government amendment.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Then the Leas-Chathaoirleach can do whatever he likes with it.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: If the Minister of State is going down this avenue why does he not license telephone operators? They often come into contact with sensitive information. They dispatch not only taxis but ambulances, fire brigades and the police. As far as I know they are not licensed and anybody can get a job there. Many of them seem to be poets, certainly at my local exchange. The Minister of State has...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: I cannot afford it due to my libel action.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: I do not think there is anything at all moderate about a ¤50,000 fine. I am pleased by the Minister of State's bashfulness in refusing to answer my repeated requests to address the nonsense of amendment No. 36. I shall take pleasure in voting against it.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: I support Senator Sean D. Barrett. I use taxis from time to time. I note, from friends in particular, that there is a mobile phone application where one can push a button and get the closest taxi which will be with one within four minutes. The other point I would make is that amendment No. 36 seems completely redundant, if not fatuous. It seeks to insert the following in the Bill: "(7)...

Seanad: International Agreements: Referral to Joint Committee (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: It would be helpful if we got a minute of explanation as to what each of them were. That may not be possible in this instance but it would be helpful to the House.

Seanad: International Agreements: Referral to Joint Committee (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: I read it myself but it does not explain what it is. It just mentions a whole list of countries.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: This is not a day when it would be appropriate to be negative about the pope. However, my view of that gentleman has not changed. I understand he is to take up residence at the bottom of the papal garden which may be an inconvenience to his successor but I am profoundly glad that he is not taking up residence at the bottom of my garden.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: I consider it appropriate that Senator Jillian van Turnhout drew our attention to the fact that this is the year of the snake in terms of the Chinese people. Yesterday was the opening of the lunar new year for the people of Tibet, the Tibetan Buddhists. It is horrifying that they have had to cancel the celebration because of the appalling treatment they are receiving at the hands of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: May we have a debate on the issue, particularly in light of the fact that, to our eternal shame, a committee of inquiry, a special committee of this House, was established and then removed because of pressure from local authorities in the Shannon area?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2013)

David Norris: Speak up man. Do not be ashamed of what you are saying.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

David Norris: I am concerned about what has been happening to this country. I also wish the Minister, Deputy Noonan, well. Senator Hayden said that this measure was not rushed. I left towards the end of business yesterday; I had to make a journey. I was not informed that anything was going on here. I came back to find that emergency legislation had been pushed through the House in the early hours of...