Results 11,001-11,020 of 20,831 for speaker:David Norris

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I suggest they contact the AA as the SIMI might have a vested interest.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I support the two amendments. Amendment No. 4 appears to be general while amendment No. 134 specifies that people should not have their employment terminated nor should they be excluded from any trade or profession. In other words, they will not be kept out of employment as a result. This is perfectly reasonable and, in fact, it should be welcomed. This is not even bankruptcy and it is...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: There seems to be, theoretically, envisaged a possibility where some debt resolution should be made so that these loan sharks, who are people who charge up to 100% and 200% interest, might actually find their bills paid. I do not take the general sanitised view of debt. I think there is a case to be made that they should never be paid and certainly that they should not be paid out of...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I am not going to push the issue, but I am grateful to the Minister for his explanation. Of course, I was thinking of the excludable, which allows flexibility. The Minister need not reply to this, although if he wants to he may. Could he look at criminalising loan sharking? I am sure a definition could be given, perhaps in terms of the interest rates charged. This may be possible under...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Can the Minister please stop mixing his metaphors? One moment he is in an aquarium and the next he is in a zoo.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: There would be mass liquidation of riding stables.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: The Minister has cleverly anticipated virtually all of what I intended to say in my supplementary contribution. The Minister seems to agree section 2(1)(f) stands out like a sore thumb with the only non-State entity involved. That is reasonable, particularly in light of the fact that management companies are very often defective and do not provide the services they pretend to provide....

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I have set my mind to thinking of other socially desirable objectives. Destitute loan sharks should be excluded, or perhaps automatically included. People in financial distress have taken out loans from loan sharks, who are endemic and particularly so in our cities, and have run up enormous bills. The loan sharks should not get their money back. They should certainly be excludable.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I compliment the Minister on his clear and cogent explanation. A large number of amendments were linked together and it was difficult to physically leaf through them to find them but I found the Minister's logic and in terms of the delivery it was clear and lucid. I had no difficulty in following it and I hope this will mark the progress of the Bill through the House. His approach is very...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I understand the Minister has some legal qualification. He has locus standi.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: On a point of order, while we all appreciate the rapidity with which the Leader possessed himself of the information about cystic fibrosis, if he were to make a gracious gesture by circulating the full text to members and Ms Orla Tinsley, I would not press a vote on the Order of Business. Will he circulate the text?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: I understand the Leader's tetchiness but we would all benefit if he would finish reading the note because it is such an important issue and a number of us have raised it. I know that Senator Crown did not intend to offend the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: In light of the settlement of ¤500,000 made by The Sun for telling lies about an Irish citizen, the resignation in shame of the editor of the Irish Daily Star, and the publication at 1.30 p.m. today of the report of the Leveson inquiry, will the Government introduce the Privacy Bill? There are two Privacy Bills on the Order Paper, mine and the Government's. The Minister for Justice and...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Can the Minister of State tell us if Mr. Hussein is being prosecuted?

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

David Norris: What about the public good?

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Usually, ordinary Members such as myself object to the Government rushing legislation through All Stages. However, I want to join the growing number of people who want to do that. There is no great fuss. This is a simple, one-paged Bill. It is perfectly obvious and straightforward and nothing should obstruct it. We can put it through if we so decide. The reasons for doing so have been...

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Hear, hear. We should. I am sorry for shouting.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2012)

David Norris: Many of us will have noticed road improvements in the area of Dublin Castle with much tarmac being laid, potholes filled and roads made better. It is very largely a cosmetic exercise that conceals the reality for many people. Another soup kitchen is opening today. Unemployment is increasing and people are unable to pay their bills. We are all experiencing straitened circumstances....