Results 10,901-10,920 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2012)

David Norris: It is a 4% increase coming up to Christmas just to catch people and put them into the poverty trap. I have had an account in the Bank of Ireland for over 60 years, since I was eight years old. I believe I have never seen such disgraceful behaviour on the part of a bank, at a time when the ordinary people of Ireland have been forced to bail them out, that they should put their hands once...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I am certainly interested in hearing what the Minister has to say, particularly the points she is addressing.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: On a point of order, the Minister is incorrect in stating the entire 90 day period would apply. If, during that time, the Government agreed to what we are seeking, it would not apply in its entirety.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: The Government has an opportunity to meet our concerns.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: The Bill does not make any distinction in this regard. Everybody will be in the same boat. This aspect of the Bill is completely unconstitutional

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Carers might benefit.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I welcome this brave and courageous Minister to the House. I do not agree with her on this, but I acknowledge that she did manage in a difficult battle to reduce the cuts that were imposed on her in this very difficult situation. I also acknowledge the fact that I happened to notice that a Minister of State came into the House and was prepared to take over but the Minister did this House...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I was very heartened when the Minister indicated that in previous debates on serious financial issues in which her Department had an interest, she did take the advice of the Seanad and it strengthened her hand and was able to renegotiate. In what Senator Marie Moloney said in her carefully crafted speech, she seemed to be suggesting a way in which some degree of resolution could come to the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: The reasons I am doing this is, first, on behalf of the people, second, because I believe this is the only way in which this House can possibly justify its existence. It was some kind of brainwave of the Taoiseach to suggest that Seanad Éireann be abolished. It was popular with the people. It was a populist move. The people would love to get rid of 60 politicians and would love it...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: The Minister deserves our congratulations on that.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: What about a debate on the Congo?

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: This is a serious mistake on the part of Senator Mullen.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Following on from Senator O'Brien, I ask that we might take, on Thursday perhaps, a half-hour debate to pass No. 12, which concerns violence in the Congo. It will cost us nothing but will give support to those brave people, including Irish people, who are working there to prevent this kind of violence. I will reserve my comments on the Social Welfare Bill for the debate later today. I am...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I was going to suggest that. I thank the Chairman for that proposal.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

David Norris: It might be worth mentioning in the press release, Chairman, that it was passed unanimously.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I move: Bearing in mind -the death of 5.2 million people over a ten-year period from war-related causes, the largest in any conflict since the Second World War, the illegal occupation of the city of Goma by the militia known as M23, the displacement of some 2.2 million people in the DRC, the forced movement of thousands of people to neighbouring countries, the 17-fold increase in the number...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

David Norris: Both of our distinguished guests have spoken about our usefulness in drawing the attention of the Irish people to the conflict. This is difficult in the complete absence of the media. There is no media presence here today, about which we should be really worried. The conflict is a stark humanitarian situation and there is a political powder keg that could blow up in our faces, with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I would not hold my breath; it does not often do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

David Norris: I echo what my colleagues said. Like them, I am filled with admiration for the work our guests do. Professor McMaster seems to be of the view that being angry is inappropriate. Anger is a highly appropriate emotion, but it depends on how one directs one's anger. Professor McMaster does not come across as being angry, although I accept that there may be a touch of Swiftian saeva indignatio...